3 common misconceptions about telecommuting

When I tell people I work from home, they often give me an envious stare and ask the inevitable question: “How do I get started?”

The idea of not having to squeeze into uncomfortable shoes or sit in traffic has an instant allure to almost anyone who has held a traditional 9-to-5 job. It seems like perfection, a dream come true, a breath of fresh air and a life saver.

But reality soon shatters the immediate appeal.

Yes, working from home means you may get to forfeit your slacks and styling gel, but it’s still work. It’s still a job with its own set of trials, tribulations and days when you wish you could just cover your head with your pillow and call in sick.

I have referred a few friends to oDesk since I started my virtual adventure roughly two years ago, and almost all of them have told me working from home is not for them.

Here are some common misconceptions associated with working from home, and the truths that paint a more realistic picture of what it’s like: