Most people feel that having one job is enough. People who work at home, however, have the tendency to work more hours and have multiple jobs. In a recent discussion on a popular work at home online forum, many posters said that they have several work at home jobs — the highest number was seven — and they work at home full-time. It’s easy to work longer hours when you are working from the comfort of your home and you are motivated by a desire to earn money. There is a risk however. You can easily become work at home workaholic. The trick is to schedule only as many hours as you can easily handle as Lena E. of Maryland recommends.
The 18-year-old college student says that her availability made her a prime candidate for work at home jobs. Networking helped her find work at home jobs. She received help from members at the WAHM.com job board. She began looking for work in October and landed her first work at home customer service job a month later. Nearly two months after she was hired for the first job, she learned that she had been hired for a second work at home job.
Sometimes applying for a job at the right time is more important than a particular skill-set.
“I didn’t have many skills to start with,” Lena says. “I was (and am) a student. I have spent all of my life being a student. I had done quite a bit of customer service-type volunteer work but didn’t have any work experience. I would say the best thing I had going for me at the time was availability. I let them know that I was a student and had minimal responsibilities. I made sure they knew that they would be my number 1 priority.”
Working at home helped improve Lena’s self-esteem and her relationship with her husband. She says that she now feels that she is making a difference by providing financially for her household. She admits, however, that not everyone agreed that working from home could present a legitimate opportunity to earn money.
What did her family think of her jobs?
“At first they were very skeptical,” Lena says. “I think I will quote my mom at this point. In her words they were ‘waiting for me to fall on my … with this work at home stuff.’ I had trouble making them understand that this was work and that there were times that I could not be interrupted. They changed their tune after a few paychecks came in. ”
Although Lena enjoys working from home, she says that it isn’t easy to juggle work and home life.
“When the dryer and the phone ring at the same time you have to make a choice, she says. “I don’t have any children but my husband is a lot of work by himself. He works outside all day so when he comes home, I have to take care of him after I have already been working all day. He doesn’t seem to understand sometimes that I am just exhausted. ” Tired or not, Lena says that she works during her scheduled hours. Although some say that working at home is a breeze, Lena admits that working the two jobs has impacted her health.
“My work is very full time, she says. “On a typical day, between both jobs, I work no less than 8 hours. Three to four days a week I work anywhere from 10 to 12 or more hours. Sometimes when my husband is away I work all night then again then the next day, but that has more to do with not wanting to sleep without him.”
In order to juggle work and home life, it’s important to set and keep a work schedule as well as setting aside time for household chores and personal time. It’s best to have a separate office or area in your home for your work. Getting your family’s support may be a challenge, but as Lena says, when your paycheck comes in the mail they will probably be more supportive and respect your work time.
Posted by Claudine in Make Money at Home