Personality of a Work at Home Mom

Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Work at Home Mom?

Are You Organized?

Most companies have built-in organization systems that we don't notice, i.e. payroll policies, requisition forms, schedules, filing cabinets, etc. But a work at home mom must put her own systems in place. If you struggle to stay organized at the office and at home, merging the two into one place is not necessarily going to make it easier. It seems like eliminating one physical location will simplify your life, but it won't--unless you are organized. Home and work schedules, tasks, papers and priorities can become hopelessly entangled without a proper organization system.

How Flexible Are You?

Ah, flexibility what a wonderful thing…for everyone else. Face it, most of us like reaping the benefits of someone else's flexibility more than we like being flexible ourselves. But it is a two-way street. A work at home moms must be prepared to work weekends or late nights or other undesirable schedules or tasks. Being flexible means saying 'yes' to some less-than-ideal conditions.

Can You Say No?

OK, I just said you must be able to say 'yes' but setting limits is just as important. This can mean limits for your children, spouse, employer, clients and yourself. Clearly defined ground rules, discussed in advance, will help all of you navigate a work-at-home lifestyle. Be careful not to lose the improved quality of life you were seeking by equating working at home with working all the time.

Are You Disciplined and Self-Motivated?

Is the work getting done? For companies that hire work at home moms, whether telecommuters or independent contractors, the answer to that question is usually the deciding factor in whether the arrangement continues. Companies cannot micromanage off-site employees and contractors, so those workers must be able to complete the job without the boss' shadow hanging over their desks. And for business owners and independent contractors, the motivation to keep bringing in new clients and revenue (for some of us a less enjoyable task than the work itself) is the key to long-term success. All of this takes discipline.

Can You Multitask and Deal With Distractions?

A work at home mom not only needs the ability to multitask but the wisdom to know when to multitask. Folding laundry while on a conference call, sure. Feeding a toddler, no. Being home leaves you open to different and more personal distractions than those of a traditional office. Deciding whether outside childcare is needed is an important first step developing a work-at-home career. However, maintaining focus amid numerous distractions is an ongoing process.

Are You Detail-Oriented?

Follow-through is crucial for a work at home mom. The rapid communication of email makes working from home so much easier than it once was, but it has its pitfalls. Unlike face-to-face or phone conversations, clarifications and questions are often left unsaid in email. Office-based colleagues may work out an issue on the elevator as they leave for the day and fail to inform you. Make mental check lists of questions left hanging as you read email. And if you don't get answers via email, pick up the phone and call.

Are You Friendly and Outgoing?

There really is something to the saying: Out of sight, out of mind. Telecommuters do risk being forgotten. I'm not just talking about the big things like promotions but little things too like notification of a policy change or meeting times. However, being well liked can help negate this disadvantage because people tend to communicate better with individuals they like. This might mean engaging in a little friendly, personal chat or being gracious about extra work. Also an outgoing personality makes networking easier, a particularly important skill for the work at home mom who is a independent contractor or business owner.

Do You Work Independently?

This one is fairly obvious, though it bears mentioning because it goes beyond just personality and into skills. Independence means not needing constant reassurance or feedback from your boss or client. And while your natural self-sufficiency might mean you forge though without asking a lot of questions, you need the skills to back that up. This is why so few work-at-home positions are entry level.