Comments on: 6 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Be a Web Worker

By: Jo

Jo — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:55:00 +0000

You are so right, web working from home is not for the faint hearted.

By: Web Worker Daily » Archive Getting Started as a Web Worker is About Meeting Needs «

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:01:55 +0000

[...] It is not as easy and rosy as it seems. The needs that I enumerated can be easily outweighed by the 6 reasons why you shouldn’t be a web worker. [...]

By: Cate

Cate — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:52:22 +0000

I finally decided that the only way I could work effectively was to do it when everyone was asleep. Hence, the 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. workday.

I’m lucky in that I don’t need more hours per day, although I do have to schedule work retreats (DH takes time off work or I go to my folks’ home locally) for large projects.

We homeschool, too, and I have found that most people are respectful of the fact that I will not answer the phone during the day. Caller ID is invaluable. I have a secret code with family, friends and important clients that if they absolutely need to get in touch with me, they will call the house phone and then my Blackberry.

One other thing I do is check email once, and not more than twice, a day. (Again, I know this is impossible for some.) I’m “unavailable” when I work, period. I use the Blackberry to do social emails, check emails when out and about and waiting at kids’ activities, running errands, etc.

I don’t miss the office or coworkers at all. I get plenty of social interaction with other adults through kids’ stuff, church, family, etc.

The biggest problem I’ve found working on the web from home? Beware the “you don’t really work because you work at home” syndrome. I even catch myself saying “I’m a stay at home mom”. I’m not. I’m an entrepreneur and a teacher, and I just so happen to do it out of my residence. :-)

By: JTPratt's Blogging Mistakes

JTPratt's Blogging Mistakes — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:04:11 +0000

This is so, so true…to be able to work from home effectively you have to be a highly organized very driven person. To be successful at it over the long haul is a talent that not many will have.

By: vincent naughton

vincent naughton — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:27:48 +0000

My girlfriend asked me yesterday if i wouldnt mind driving her mum into town, you know, cos I have absolutely nothing else to do, you know since im at home doin nothing probably looking up porn. Im working! Now F^%K OFF! Which came out :No, sorry darling, I’m a bit busy. Exercise will do her some good….

By: The Geek Stuff

The Geek Stuff — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:45:39 +0000

Interesting article. Regarding “Your work will become dependent on technology”, is not only true for web-workers, it’s true pretty much for majority of the work force. One way or another you are always dependent on technology these days.

By: links for 2008-06-04 | the markfr ditherings

links for 2008-06-04 | the markfr ditherings — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:34:54 +0000

[...] Web Worker Daily » Archive 6 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Be a Web Worker « I have certainly faced all these challengers but wouldn’t swap it for anything. (tags: career work jobs business) [...]

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:22:16 +0000

Enlightening article. My only contention is your 5th point, where “You’re forced to take a long, hard look at your priorities and goals.” For freelancers, who presumably enjoy introspection and the freedom that comes with not having your fate in someone else’s hands, this seems like a benefit.

By: Barbara Saunders

Barbara Saunders — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:51:26 +0000

I find it so strange that people become more sedentary when working at home. I take frequent walks, schedule workouts, etc. That’s the main way I “think.” The problem arises for me more in office work, where I’m expected to be actually sitting for hours at a time.

By: Jim Wolff

Jim Wolff — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:55:53 +0000

Interesting topic – there’s a lot of noise evangelising online work, without much talk of some very real downsides to it.

One of the biggest concerns against web work I come across is a lack of social interaction with other workers. Ironically tho I think i have much stronger ties to the people I currently work with online, as we all have to make a much bigger effort to communicate effectively.

For me a problem is spending too much time in front of a screen. The invention of a screen-free computer is most welcome ;)