Confessions Of A Work At Home Mom

I never thought I'd end up working from home. My corporate job gave me a good paycheck, a sense of stability, and work I enjoyed. That ended when I got laid off as a result of a merger. I was loosing hope of landing anything that would allow me to be flexible enough to meet my family's needs until a career counselor gave me the idea of work from home data entry. This is my story.

So what's the confession? That I love it? I do, but let me dig a little deeper for those who are thinking of heading down this road.

Confession #1: It's Not for Everyone

I ended up working with a small consulting firm. I help them with presentations and do a lot of the billing and administrative work to support the firm. I sit at a computer for 7 hours a day and process reimbursements, edit presentations, make travel arrangements for the partners, and do some light document maintenance in a SharePoint where the firm's consultants store their documents.

You might envy my commute, but if you are a highly social person with big needs for affirmation and human contact, this isn't for you. Sure, I'm at a place in my life where flexibility is more important than other job perks. And if you find that you are not the long hour by yourself person you thought you would be, don't consider a gig that has you working from home.

My career counselor pointed me in this direction because I actually enjoy time alone. It energizes me. Social contact drains rather than energizes me. I don't know why. I might be flawed at some deep level. I just know that's me. And knowing me helps me find opportunities that are right for me.

Confession #2: I Have to Intentionally Grow Relationships

I actively manage office relationships working in an office, I can't help but trip over my colleagues and boss many times a day. But working at home means that I have to intentionally manage relationships that otherwise would wither on the vine.

I do this in two ways; formally and informally. I set up meetings with the people I serve to hear more about their needs and get feedback on the work I'm doing. And I do this informally in that I intentionally reach out to people in the firm on birthdays, after important client milestones, or simply to connect. I try not to bug them, just spend a few minutes over skype to let them know I'm here and want to help.

It works. I've found the health of office relationships growing as I intentionally manage them. And I'm finding my job expand as I grow.

Confession #3: They Trained Me To Do This

My former job, that large corporation that decided to merge and fire me, well they trained me for the job I'm in now. Thank you. Anybody who can type well, can navigate most of the Microsoft Office applications or other applications you find in most office settings are perfect candidates for a data entry work at home opportunity. I know I was.

I wasn't happy after they let me go, but I'm okay now and honestly loving what I do. It fits. I don't know if I'll ever go back to a traditional job. So in the end, I won and they lost talent. In the end, I confess that it all worked out well for me although I noticed their stock price never recovered. At least one of us is doing well.