10 things I love about working from home (plus 5 things I hate)

10 things I love about working from home (plus 5 things I hate)10 things I love about working from home (plus 5 things I hate)In November or 2008, I made the jump from a typical arbeitszimmer job to working from home as aself-employed internet marketer. I consider myself blessed to be able to work from home for the past 10+ years and it has honestly changed my life in several ways.Over the years Ive received a lot of interesting comments and questions from friends and people who find out that I work from home. Apparently, there are a lot of misconceptions about what its really like to work from home (no, I dont sleep in or spend all day in my pajamasor worse).Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraAlthough I love working from home and Im grateful to have been able to do it for more than a decade, not everything about it is amazing. There are some challenges as well sorta like being yo ur own boss. It wont work for everyone.This article covers the bestandthe worst, based on my own experience.Some of the things I mention in this article will be relevant to anyone working from home, but other things may not apply to those who work from home as an employee of a company. My experience being self-employed is a little different from my wifes experience when she worked from home for a large national bank for about three years.10 Things I Love About Working from Home1. mora Time Around My FamilyProbably the biggest benefit to working from home has been more time with my family. I have a daughter who is 6 years old and a son who is 3 years old, so Ive worked from home their entire lives. And my wife has been a stay-at-home mom since we became parents, so our kids have always had both of their parents at home.I dont consider myself a stay-at-home dad because my main role during the day is to work and my wife is the primary caregiver for our kids, but I leise have a lot more time around them as compared to if I worked a more traditional job.In the mornings, I help the kids with breakfast and have a few minutes with them, instead of rushing off to an office. Most of my days include some time to play with my son as a part of my lunch break, something I definitely wouldnt be able to do with a different job.In the afternoons, I take a short break to either pick my daughter up at school or walk down to meet her at the bus stop.Overall, Id estimate that I have a few extra hours with family each week thanks to being able to work from home. Running an online business has been a great fit for me and my family, but its only one option. There are plenty of otherjobs for parents who want to stay home.2. I Can Work from Anywhere with an Internet ConnectionAlthough I typically work from home, I have the flexibility towork from anywhere. When I first left my office job I would feel like I really needed to get out of the house, so I would go to a local public library and work for a few hours fruchtwein days.Ive also been able to work while traveling, which is probably one of the biggest perks of my job. Before we had kids, my wife and I traveled a lot and I welches able to work for a few hours per day. The past few years we havent traveled as much, but now that our kids are getting older, I hope to take advantage of this more often.Being able to work from a hotel, a library, or a coffee shop is an awesome privilege.3. Flexible ScheduleI can choose when I start and end my workday. I maintain pretty regular working hours, but its great to have flexibility when its needed.That flexibility comes in very handy for making appointments, whether its an appointment to go somewhere (like the dentist or to get the car inspected) or an appointment that involves someone coming to our house (like getting an appliance repaired).And its not just my own appointments. If my wife has to go somewhere for an appointment, I can take off for an hour or two and watch t he kids while shes gone.In the past, work schedules made appointments a hassle, but now its not much of an issue.I also have flexibility in how I use my time for work. For a few years, I ran photography blogs as my primary source of income. I would occasionally use a day to go hiking and take photos as a part of my work, but it was a lot of fun too.I even had some bigger trips to National Parks and places that I always wanted to visit, and I was able to do it as a part of my job.I wasnt a professional photographer, but having a blog on a topic that I loved allowed me toturn a hobby into a business.4. Lack of Distractions from Co-WorkersIf you work in an office, Im sure youve experienced frustration over some co-workers that make it difficult to do your job. Working from home, I have no co-workers to distract me, and I find that Im usually a lot more productive.This really depends on your personality and not everyone will thrive in a work-from-home setting. Some people like or need i nteraction with others, and if that applies to you, working from home is probably not a good fit for you.5. I Control My Days OffWhen I had a traditional job, I would need to fill out a request form if I wanted a day off. In most cases, I could get the day off. But if a boss or teammate was already scheduled to be off at that time, or if it was a really busy time or the year or month, I might not get approved for the time off.Being self-employed and working from home, I get to choose when I take my days off. I dont have to plan time off months in advance to make sure that I can get the days approved, and I dont have to plan my vacations around the schedules of co-workers.Im able to take longer breaks/vacations than I could if I worked a more traditional job. In the case of a longer vacation, Ill typically take advantage of the flexibility to be able to work while traveling, and Ill work a few hours per day, which makes the longer vacation possible.Unplanned days off are also a nice perk. Ill admit, I havent done this as often as I would like, but as our kids get older, this is starting to become more regular. This summer, Ill probably take a few spontaneous days off at random times for a family trip to an amusement park or a museum.I originally started my business on the side while working full-time as an auditor. At my job, unplanned days off were frowned upon. That wasnt really my main motivating factor forstarting a side hustle, but its turned out to be a nice perk now that the side hustle is my full-time job.6. More Time in My DayFor most of the years that I worked in a typical office job, I had anywhere from a 30 minute to a 60-minute commute each way. That adds up to 5 10 hours per week, or 250 500 hours per yearNot needing to drive to a job has essentially added more time to my day. Most days, that extra time is used for work, which helps me to get more done and ultimately to make more money. But I can also use that time in other ways, like with famil y, relaxing, or even sleeping more.When you calculate the value of your time, this becomes a very convincing reason why working from home is a great option.7. Save Money on Gas, Car Maintenance, and InsuranceIn addition to saving time, not commuting to work also saves money and a lot of it. Ive put less than 7,000 miles per year on my car (we use my wifes car primarily for the family, but even that one only gets about 9,000 miles per year). Sometimes I go a few weeks without filling up the gas tank.Driving less also means less money needs to be spent on car maintenance. My car is going on 8 years old but totenstill in great shape, and should stay that way for at least a few more years.The number of miles you put on your car each year, or the number of miles you drive to work each day, can also impact your car insurance premiums. I was able to reduce my rate thanks to the lower number of miles that I drive.All of these things add up to significant savings in the budget.8. Mental Heal th BreaksI usually try to get outside and go for a quick 10-minute walk around the block a couple of times each day to get some fresh air. Ive found it to be a great way to clear my head and re-focus. After I get back from a quick walk, Im able to increase my productivity.For some reason, I only started doing this about two years ago, after I had already been working from home for eight years or more. I wish I had started sooner.9. Weather (Snow) Doesnt Prevent Me from WorkingI live in Pennsylvania and we typically get a few good snowstorms each winter. When I worked in an office, that meant I usually had to drive to work in bad conditions. Only in the worst of situations was it ok to miss work or be late because of snow.Now, I dont have to miss work because of snow, and I also dont have to drive in it. A snowstorm has virtually no impact on my work schedule, except that I need to find some time to clear off the sidewalk and driveway.The one downside to this is that when it snows, I typically avoid driving. I used to drive in just about anything, because I had to get to work. Now that I dont drive when it snows, on the rare occasion that I am out in the snow, Ive become one of those overly-cautious snow drivers that holds up traffic.10. Save Money on ClothesGas and car-related expenses arent the only way you can save money by working from home. I also save a lot by not needing to buy clothes for work. My closet mostly consists of jeans and t-shirts that are my everyday attire.5 Things I Hate About Working from HomeIts only fair to also mention the things that I dont like about working from home.1. Lack of Separation from Work and LifeI think about work all the time. This is partly related to working from home and partly related to being self-employed. My home office is always right there, so I usually wind up checking my email or going into my office at some point every evening, and definitely on the weekends.Its very hard to totally get away from work. When I had a typical office job, I would come home at 500 and work didnt cross my mind until the next morning. I could take vacations and not care about what was happening at the office.This is easily the biggest downside to what I do for a living, partly because it impacts my family as well as myself. Fortunately, Ive gotten better about this since weve had kids, but I still need to improve in this area.2. Noise in the HouseWhile there are no co-workers to disrupt me, other things in the house (mostly kids) can be a distraction. I worked from home for four years before having any kids, and I can tell you that it is completely different now that kids have been added to the mix.The location of your home office also plays a role in this. At our old house, my office was in the basement and I had good staffelung from the noise in other parts of the house. In our current home, my office is on the main floor and I have glass doors that do next to nothing to block sound or sight.Dealing with noi se is one of the biggest challenges in working from home if there are other people in the house.3. Other Disruptions Add UpI mentioned earlier that I love the flexibility of being able to schedule appointments during the day. While thats true, these little things can sometimes add up and hurt productivity. Whether I am going out or someone else is coming to the house, there are times when I feel like Im not getting anything done because of several small disruptions.4. Sometimes I Just Need to Get OutStaying home is great, but it has its limits. Thankfully, schedules with kids and other social activities usually give me something to do in the evenings and on weekends, but there are times when I havent been out of the house and I just need to get out. Im usually quick to volunteer for a trip to the grocery store or some other errand because I enjoy the chance to get out.5. Weight GainThis one is something that I never anticipated when I was thinking about what it would be like to work from home. After I left my job, I almost immediately gained 10 pounds.At my old job, I would pack a lunch every day. I ate what I packed, and that was it. Working from home, I find that I eat more for lunch if Im not careful because I have an entire kitchen full of food at my disposal. Snacks and drinks can also be more of an issue.While there are definitely pros and cons, overall, I love working from home and its been overwhelmingly positive for me and my family. Its not for everyone, but if you can handle working on your own and not being around a lot of people, there are plenty of perks that come along with it.This article first appeared on ThinkSaveRetire.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of menta lly strong people

How to Nail Your First Meeting With a New Client - The Muse

How to Nail Your First Meeting With a New Client - The MuseHow to Nail Your First Meeting With a New Client Client relationships can make or break a business- and a career. If you work with clients already, you know that establishing mutual respect and a good working relationship should be your number one priority. And if you are just starting out with clients, youll learn this very quickly. The first meeting with a new client? Well, thats the first thing that can make or break the relationship. Whether youve just been assigned to an existing project or youre getting down to business with a newly closed client, its important to impress from day one. After years in the PR world, here are five things I always keep in mind.1. Do Your Research BeforehandJust like you would go into an bewerbungsinterview with a solid understanding of the company, you should go into your first client meeting with at least some baseline knowledge about your client and his or her business. Obviously you cant know everything- and the client should understand that you are just jumping in- but the mora youre able to showcase your knowledge of the industry and business, the better. Start by knowing how to pronounce the company and client names, and even top competitors just in case. Have an understanding of your clients stance in the industry and any successes and struggles the company has faced. You can often find this out by doing some research online ahead of time. Google your client contact, the company, and the industry- and be sure to check out the news section for any trends. Articles can reveal so much about a company, including its stance in an industry.If this client has worked with others in your company before (or has worked with other people in your network), learn what you can from them. Is there anything especially unique about this client? Does he or she have any likes or dislikes that your colleagues have picked up on? Any tips for working better together? ansicht nuances dont have to be obvious they can also be the smallest, most ridiculous things. For example, one of my clients doesnt like contractions (or should I say, does not like contractions). Its a tiny pet peeve, but knowing this helps me avoid annoying someone right away.Finally, its worth doing a little research to learn seemingly unimportant details about the person youll be meeting with. Did you go to the same university? Have similar hobbies? It may not be related to your work together at all, but weaving these tidbits into the initial conversation can build a great rapport. 2. Be Upfront About Your Experience and CapabilitiesA clients main concerns will be your skills and knowledge- are you the right one to help with this work? Most likely, you will be presented with an opportunity to introduce yourself and give a little background, and this is a chance to address these experiences up front. Remember You were chosen to work with this client for a reason, so dont be afraid to show off w hat youve got.Not sure what to say during your intro? After stating your name, this template is a good place to start Great to meet you For your background, Ive worked in role for more than number years and have worked with around number companies. Im excited to be working in the industry type industry again- I actually worked with a example of company at a previous agency.This doesnt need to be longer than a couple sentences- you dont want to seem like youre trying too hard- and be sure to round it out with a reason why youre excited to be working with together. 3. Listen and AdaptOnce youve had a chance to introduce yourself, sit back and listen. Even in the first conversation, you should be picking up on what matters most to the client and what he or she wants your role to be. Should your meetings be focused on work and the task at hand or more about getting to know one another? Should you be asking questions to prompt more conversation or reigning in a conversation that loses fo cus? Should you interject recommendations throughout the meeting or listen entirely before coming back with your thoughts?Be prepared to adapt no matter what the case is. Mirroring your clients sentiment and body language will help with your first impression, while noting and adapting to these will help in all of your future interactions.4. Ask Questions and Take NotesEveryone loves to feel like an expert and be sought out for expertise. Based on your prior research, ask relevant questions about the client and his or her business. This relationship is new, and now is the best time to gather as much information as possible. Your questions shouldnt be so basic that a little research would have already addressed them (e.g., What is your companys main service?) and should focus more on overarching trends, like the direction of the business or industry. Try questions like What are your companys biggest challenges? What trends are seeing in this industry? And, of course, make sure youre t aking thorough notes. Also, if your client is looking for a more personal relationship, feel free to also ask questions about family life or outside interests. Once again, take notes. Knowing about a clients upcoming holiday plans, family, or even preference between tea and coffee could be of use in the future.5. Follow Up QuicklyA quick email after your introduction will provide the client with your contact information, give you the opportunity to reinforce your eagerness to be working together, and allow you to reiterate any action items that came out of your meeting. This can be a very brief note. Hi Name,Thank you for the warm welcome earlier this weekIm excited to be working with you and the Company Name team. If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to contact me. You can find my contact information below.You will be hearing from me shortly to set up our first status meeting.Thank you,Your NameIf possible, now is a good time to make your role clear to the client. If you re the point person from now on, mention that in your email so that there is no confusion moving forward.With a great first impression, your relationship with the client will be off to a running start. You can look forward to establishing a good working relationship and diving into the good stuff- the work.

New study says these cities have the best opportunities for women

New study says these cities have the best opportunities for womenNew study says these cities have the best opportunities for womenIf youre a woman looking to move to a new city, consider one of these top metro areas. A newstudyfrom moving company Movinga ranked the top 100 cities for new jobs. Of course, were fans of making smart career moves, but what really sparked our interest in this study was that it also ranked the best cities with opportunities for women.The study based the rankings on the gender wage gap, womens liberty and legislation, and womens opportunity for advancement. Movinga looked at the percentage difference between the average monthly wages of men and women, the sum of ratings of cultural and legislative restrictions on womens rights and the extent to which companies offer the same opportunities for women to rise to leadership positions as they do men. The cities were ranked with a score between zero and 10.While Boston, United States ranked first as the all-aroun d best city to find a job, Oslo, Norway took the top spot for the best city with opportunities for women.Here are the Top 16 best cities with opportunities for women, according to Movingas10-point scaleOslo, Norway - 9.49Helsinki, Finland - 9.17Malmo, Sweden - 8.87Gothenburg, Sweden - 8.87Stockholm, Sweden - 8.87Ljubljana, Slovenia - 8.44Copenhagen, Denmark - 8.26Montreal, Canada - 7.97Quebec, Canada - 7.97Toronto, Canada - 7.97Ottawa-Gatnieau, Canada - 7.97Vancouver, Canada - 7.97Calgary, Canada - 7.97Geneva, Switzerland - 7.91Basel, Switzerland - 7.91Zurich, Switzerland - 7.91After Zurich, 20 cities in the U.S. rank with the same score of 7.89 for opportunities for women. These include Detroit, Atlanta, Portland, Las Vegas, Miami, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Houston, Minneapolis, Denver, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Seattle, New York, San Diego and Boston.Living in a city where you feel empowered to succeed is important. Co nsider Movingas list of the top cities for finding a job, but look closely at the opportunities that each specifically offers women. Youll be able to thrive in your career and personal finances more than ever before if youre in the right environment.Do you live in one of these top cities with opportunities for women? Join our exclusiveLinkedIn Groupand tell us about itSee the studys full list of 100 top cities and the methodologyhere.Thispostwas originally published onSwirled.comin the Thrive section, which covers valuable career and personal finance content for Millennials.