I imagine there are many professionals who at some point of their career have thought about working from a home office. Here are some aspects to consider:

No Commuting
Let’s face it who appreciates sitting in stop-start traffic, whether it’s first thing in the morning or after a long day at the office? Add to that the wear and tear on your vehicle, rising costs of fuel, and contributing to pollution. Sadly, public transportation isn’t always available or a practical alternative, and even when it is you are still faced with the rigors of getting to and from work. When your commute is a few steps down the hall to your home office, it makes a stress-free start to every work day.

Flexible Schedule
Depending on your situation, working from a home office can allow you to create flexibility in your schedule. By portioning out your work into manageable blocks of time, you will be able to get your work done and still fit in family commitments, appointments, errands and housework. It may mean that you end up working in the evening or at weekends but as long as you are meeting your deadlines and managing your schedule effectively then a flexible schedule can be achieved.

Challenge Yourself
Staying motivated when you work in a home office can be a challenge. But rather than take this as a negative try turning it into a positive. Every day it is up to you to get out of bed, into a business mindset and produce results. If you can do this you’ve already accomplished more than the average person. This is the beauty of being your own boss, it makes you stretch yourself. Set achievable goals each day and hold yourself accountable to them. Learn from your mistakes and consider each stumbling block an opportunity to improve. Celebrate each achievement no matter how small – be your own cheerleader.

Pajamas
Ok, let’s dispel a myth – when working from home most people are not sitting in their pajamas. That said, there is usually more flexibility in the attire that home-office workers can wear. Should they wear a suit? It depends. Some people loath suits while others say that they don’t feel professional unless they are wearing formal business attire. It’s down to each individual to dress for success, in whatever form is appropriate. If you work from a home office and choose to work in your pajamas, go for it as long as it does not affect your work. You could try wearing different outfits from casual to formal, and see if you notice a difference in your attitude and productivity. Wear whatever works best for you and your business.

Your Own Office Space
In my opinion, companies should pay more attention to the work environment that they create for their employees. I’ve seen some pretty drab office spaces in my time: old carpet tiles, dull paint, dated furniture, and musty restrooms (“toilets” for my U.K. audience). Having a home office gives you plenty of options to create an environment that inspires you and helps to promote productivity. Don’t just throw something together, this is your opportunity to really think about your work space and make it your own. Consider paint colors, lighting, possible distractions, comfort, and functionality.

Peace and Quiet
For some people, working in a busy office environment is energizing. These people thrive on the social interaction and activity that surrounds them and would likely feel isolated in a home office environment. For others, a constant hubbub is an unwanted distraction and a home office can provide an ideal work environment. If you have the space, locate your home office in a separate room away from the rest of any family activity. It will give you greater control over the noise level and it will be easier to establish boundaries with your family. It also means that you can close the door when you need to switch off at the end of your work day. This can be the toughest discipline to master when your office is just down the hall.

Tax Deduction
Finally, don’t forget to ask your tax adviser whether you can claim a tax deduction for your home office. Every little helps.

Is It Right For You?
If you are considering working from a home office, be realistic about how feasible it is given your current situation at home, and ask yourself some honest questions about whether you think it would be a good fit for your personality. For many, like me, it was one of the best decisions ever made.