I’ve worked for myself for about eight years, and the experience has been positive. Things can get hectic at times, and I’ve dealt with many obstacles. But overall, I wouldn’t change this for anything. The pros definitely outweigh the cons, and I’d recommend this life any day.

But at the same time, I don’t want anybody to get the wrong impression of telecommuting. To some, the idea of working from home is fascinating, and there’s the belief that telecommuters “have it made.”

People who work outside the home may envision us setting our own hours, working in our pajamas, sleeping during the day, watching television, etc. But ask any telecommuter about their daily routine, and they’ll likely describe a different picture. So what’s the truth…..what’s the dark side of telecommuting?

• You have to find (and keep) clients, which usually involves hitting the job boards, cold calling, networking and doing whatever it takes to keep yourself busy.
• There’s no loyalty, and clients can give you the boot with little or no notice. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket….this is the quickest way to go from busy to broke.
• Some telecommuters earn a full-time salary working part-time hours. It’s possible. But in the beginning, be prepared to put in long hours. You’ve got to build the business and your reputation.
• Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries - some client’s don’t know the meaning of this word, and they’ll contact you at all hours of the day, night, weekend, and completely disregard your personal life.
• Client’s don’t always pay on time. Payments can be days, weeks, or months late.
• Tax season + independent contractor = big headache. Don’t forget to set aside money for taxes.