Working from home does have its benefits: no set schedule, no commuting to and from work, and no boss telling you what to do. In my case I love to spend time with my family.

All this sounds great, doesn’t it? Right

While working from home has its perks we all know, you’ll be faced with a whole new set of obstacles to overcome, too. You need to know what these are if you are trying to decide if you’re cut out to work from home.

It’s best to know what you’re getting yourself into before making a change.
Interruptions Come with the Territory
If you have kids and/or pets, expect a lot of interruptions while you are trying to work.

Your kids may think since you’re at home, you are at their beckon call. Older kids may expect help with homework or making lunch, while younger kids can get cranky and need Mom’s attention.
Even your husband may interrupt you to ask where the mayo is or where you put the new pack of batteries.

To solve the interruption problem, you have to set boundaries and let everyone know what he or she should be doing while you’re working.
If you have little ones, maybe daycare would be a good idea or let grandma take him or her for a little while when she can.
You can also set up a workspace with a playpen, toys and other baby needs and allow little ones to play or nap while you work.
You and your family can figure out a good solution together.

You Won’t Have Job Perks
When you work at home for yourself, you lose all the perks that come with a traditional career: health insurance, sick pay, vacation time, and maybe even a steady paycheck.
This is something you’ll need to consider before working from home and discuss with your spouse. If he or she has these perks, you might be able to pull it off. If not, you need to do some serious financial planning.

Have you ever heard of the starving artist? Working from can be similar. You’ll get paid by the project and not by the hour, so your income will vary and there may be dry spells. Make sure you work this possibility into your financial planning.
You’re at a Higher Risk of Burnout
When working from home, you can set your own schedule, but many times you’ll find yourself working late or finishing up something that didn’t get done due to distractions during the day.
This puts you at a higher risk for getting burned out and stressed. You must be able to say no, set boundaries and take breaks when you need them to avoid becoming frazzled and unproductive.
You can’t escape your workplace, so you need to move yourself away from your workspace and take a break.

Successful home workers overcome these obstacles with careful planning and help of understanding family and friends.
You can to if you’re serious about making a work at home opportunity work for you.