Everyone immediately thinks about how great it will be to never worry about rush hour traffic again, and how much fun it is to work wherever you want via laptop.
These are some pretty fabulous benefits, but it’s not all perks and profits.
Before I get real with you, don’t let this description of disadvantages scare you into shutting out your dreams before you can weigh the plus side of this equation, too.
So here we go – reasons why working at home as an entrepreneur may not be a part of your ideal lifestyle:
There’s No “Guaranteed” Paycheck
When you take matters into your own hands and become a home business professional, it’s up to you to create your weekly cash flow. It might feel like you’re free-falling without a safety net. With your job, you probably get a check even on slow weeks, but when you’re the boss, you only get paid when the company makes sales.
This is one reason I’m creating this whole work at home Internet marketing series is because it’s all about building a business, not “how can I make $100 a day.” You might have some set number you hope to take in, but business income fluctuates.
Do you really want to struggle every day to hit your quotas – or do you want to see a rise in your income that soars steadily over time on average and provides you with financial security?
Many new entrepreneurs look at their success one sale at a time, and when that one’s spent, they have to figure out how to make more – it can be mentally (and physically) exhausting. You need a cash flow you can count on and there is a way to do that with Internet marketing – but it takes time.
There Are No Paid Vacation Days
I mentioned this earlier – when you take time off from your home business, you won’t be able to log a real vacation day. When you’re off, unless your business is automated, your income will stall until you get back on the ball.
If possible, once your business grows, you can hire an assistant to cater to the needs of your customers while you’re away, but if you’re like most hands-on entrepreneurs, you’ll feel like this business is your baby – and entrusting it to someone else won’t be too relaxing for you.
You Have to Take Total Responsibility for Your Own Results
There’s nobody to blame when business gets slow or when problems arise within your online operation. You can’t point your finger at the CEO, at the marketing department, or anyone else.
Your success and your failure rely completely on your efforts and on the value of whatever strategy you chose to implement.
Did your server crash? Customers won’t care if your “tech guy” had a misstep – the site has your name on it, so you’re responsible. The buck stops with you!
There’s No Management Team to Motivate You
It sounds like a dream come true – no gossipy co-workers, no boss looking over your shoulder, and no department head to answer to when your work is late. But it can be more of a curse than a blessing.
In a home business, nobody will be making sure you’re at your desk early every morning, and there will be no manager pushing you to work overtime when deadlines are looming. You’ll have to rely completely on self-discipline, and if you don’t have any, you’ll either develop some fast or find your business in big trouble.
If you label yourself a procrastinator, you’d better learn how to push through it and become productive, instead. I am the world’s worst procrastinator, but when I have to buckle down and get things done, I do!
Next – I’ll be sharing the “Perks” of making money from home.
Remember, I’m here for ya…


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