While many home-based professionals leave the world of traditional work in favor of a home-based career, not all people who work from home have left their 9 to 5 jobs behind. One person might remain at their job while they start their home-based business, until they grow the business to a point where it can support them as a full time venture. Another person might start a home-based business that they keep small on purpose, so that they can work at both their “regular job” and the home-based business.
In the past, having side businesses was something that people were not often able to do profitably, so it was not often done. However, the internet has made it possible for many talented people to turn their skills into products and services that they can market to people all over the world at a very low cost. From Ebay and Etsy to Elance and oDesk, there are opportunities for people to earn extra income even if only for a few hours each week.
This may sound great to those of you that are working and have been wondering whether there is a way that you can follow your home-based dreams without giving up your steady paycheck. It can be great, if you think it through thoroughly and honestly assess whether it is the right thing for you and for your family. If your job takes a lot out of you and you need your down time to replenish your energy and renew yourself, it may not be a good idea to fill that down time with more work unless that work is something that happens to renew you. If you feel that you do not spend sufficient time with your family because of your work schedule, then you definitely do not want a side business to take away from what precious little time you can spend with your family. Make sure that you consider the big picture of how your side business will fit into your life as a whole.
If you do decide to go for it, you can increase your chances of success by staying organized. Use one calendar and put all of your commitments on there. This way, you can avoid double-booking yourself. You can also use your calendar to avoid setting goals that are unreasonable given what you already have on your plate. Make sure that you write in specific “appointments” or blocks of time to work on your side business. Otherwise, you may find that you have trouble getting things done or making it a priority. It is possible to juggle a side job and a regular job, if you are able to determine that it will work for you and your family and if you stay organized.