For many employees, escaping the routine 9-5 and working from home is a common daydream. This option allows the individual to forgo the cubicle for the comforts of one’s own home, whether to start their own business or partake in freelance opportunities. A home-based job gives the individual the opportunity to become his or her own boss, with the ability to set their own hours and schedule. However, working from home is not for everyone, as it requires a certain degree of independence and self-motivation in order to get work done. The following are the most common challenges associated with working from home, which can give you a better idea of whether this lifestyle suits you:

1. It’s All On You
One of the main characteristics of a work-from-home job is the independence – the individual is able to decide their own schedule and which projects to work on, without the supervision of a manager. However, this freedom is a double edged sword, as you’ll need to be able to handle all tasks on your own. If you lack the organization and self-motivation needed in order to complete your work, then the freedom of a home environment may be all too overwhelming.

2. Less Distinction between Work and Home
Oftentimes, many employees look forward to the end of work so they can enjoy their free time at home. But for work-at-home individuals, this distinction between work and home becomes more and more blurred. Unless barriers are set, it can be difficult to restrain from answering another email or completing another task, taking up your valuable free time. Therefore, it’s important to set boundaries on time, making a clear distinction on when your work is over.

3. Too Much Distractions
For some individuals, the environment in which an employer is standing over their backs plays a major role in productivity. Stick these individuals in a home-work environment, and the distractions of everyday life can quickly overwhelm them. From funny websites, the outdoors and even phone calls, distractions are all throughout the home. If you have a family or even a pet, then sharing a space with them can further hinder you from your goals.

4. Loss of Productivity
The morning ritual of taking a shower and putting on fresh clothes is a great way to put individuals in the right tone for work. However, waking up and working in your pajamas can set a completely different tone to your work mood. Oftentimes, this will have an adverse effect on the individual’s productivity, and hinder the rest of the day. One way to avoid this is to treat the home office like a professional environment – clean up and dress in something other than your sleep clothes to get the day started out right.

5. Isolation
While working from home, one major fixture not seen in the home environment is colleagues and coworkers. There’s less chances for camaraderie and socializing, as the individual must get used to a solitary environment. There are several ways to get around this problem, whether through actively networking or working from a coffee shop or coworking space. But if you’re more of a social type and love to talk with fellow coworkers, then working at home may not be right for you.

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Sara Fletcher is an avid blogger who writes on everything from the Job search and how to find Toronto Jobs. She has written on a variety of blogs and websites, and loves to learn all she can on the job hunt.