What If Everyone Starts Working From Home?

Have you ever asked yourself this question?

It crossed my mind a couple of times.

I found a first version when I was browsing a forum dedicated to a certain HYIP (I’ll talk about HYIPs some other time). At that time almost everyone was very happy with its performance. Of course it all came to an end (as all of them do). However there was this guy who asked the following question: “what if everyone starts investing [in that program] and becomes rich in a matter of a year or so? Who will build roads, make bread, fly airplanes and so on?”

I couldn’t help myself and I took that question a little further: what if everyone will start working from home? I believe it’s safe to say we’ve all flirted with the idea.

To find the answer I grabbed a cup of coffe (about 36oz), a carton of cigarettes (to help me concentrate) and headed for the darkest corner of my place, I sat down (facing the wall) and started to think. Something really hard for me to do, but it happens at times.

The conclusion I came to was that I can’t believe such a possibility ever crossed my mind. It’s impossible that everyone will ever work from home.

Here’s why:

1). First of all there’s a lot of people who are not even aware of the possibilities the internet offers. Just think of all the under developed countries. Even in the most developed ones, there’s still people who don’t have access to internet. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true.

2). Not everyone wants to do this. From my experience one of the greatest motivator for starting a home based business is “love” (to be read hate) for one’s job, boss, commute etc. I know many might think that in such situations one should try and find a better job. However, due to our huge insecurity, many of us are affraid to start all over again, especially in a world with an ongoing down sizing phenomenon. We’re happy to have a job and be able to, at least, pay our bills. So what better chances of changing your life (without, again, being willing to quit a job, yet) than looking for part time opportunities? This is not what I want to write about, though. What this second point is about is folks who are just happy with their jobs. More than that they love them. For whatever reason they see a bright future for themselves in that career; it’s what they wanted to do their entire lives; they love being and working around people; keeps them active etc.

I once met a guy working in construction who said he loves his job for two reasons: one is that it keeps him active and in shape (he doesn’t have to go to the gym) and the second one is that he gets to go places (at least every other month he gets to change the site where he works) which makes it somewhat exciting. Just look around you and you’ll find plenty of people like these who, for various reasons, really love their jobs and would not do anything else for anything in the world.

3). Another reason that makes us look for other options is financially related. Similar to the above point, there’s a whole lot of people who are quite comfortable with their incomes and it has never even crossed their minds to look for something better.

4). What’s the unemployment rate in your region? Even if it were 0.1% it means there’s people who don’t work. I’ll be the devil’s advocate again and I’ll admit that there’s some folks who don’t want to work. However, their number is quite small and the vast majority would love to be offered a job (any kind of job). That’s why I actually believe that the more of us end up quitting our jobs to run our home based businesses, the better, because the more jobs will be offered to the unemployed.

5). What was your family and friends’ reaction when you told them you’re considering working from home? I was lucky. But the truth of the matter is that the majority faces a huge opposition. And out of this majority, I dare say that most don’t have the courage to go on with their dreams and give in to the “solid adivce” they receive: get real and stop wasting your time. Chances are none of them will ever even think about giving it a(nother) try.

6). How many of you have heard of failed attempts? Either personally know someone or have read about it on forums and other web site? The reason for failures is a totally different topic. The hurting truth is that about two thirds of the work at home start ups will fail. If our friends from point 5 still have a chance of bringing back to life their dreams, those who fail are lost forever (most of them).

7). Plenty of people are not good work at home material. They’re just not made for the solitude of a home business. Even if some will try it (and even succeed) most might decide they’re just not made for this.

So, after drinking about three quarters of my 36oz of coffee and smoking only two packs of cigarettes I was able to sleep again, understanding that there would still be someone to sell me a loaf of bread when I wake up in the morning. How about you?

Posted in Work at Home, Work at Home FAQ's |