Working At Home

Post Reply New Topic

Maybe ya'll can relate ......

I recently wrote of my tribulations with work life in the thread "I cannot handle corporate life". Since I have been at home, with no more meetings, marketing dweebs and general corporate denizens to deal with, I launched into some scientific projects of my own creation - stuff that I could and should have been doing in my corporate life had it not been for the dumbkopfs making policy back there.

Some observations:

1) It's pretty heady stuff I am working on, and very satisfying to be getting through it after being labeled as incompetent by the techno_nazis I used to work with. Good for my morale, and I should be able to use it as resume fodder.

2) It's interesting, self-generated but relevant, and I have been 100 times more productive on account of the intrinsic interest and the solitude.

3)I work in the wee hours of the morning (wake up very early), and I have put in a good workday by early afternoon. I don't have to commute or dress up for anyone until *I* decide to leave the house. What interactions I have are with friends and former colleagues at lunch, usually one-on-one and very pleasant.

All of this got me to thinking how I could foster this sort of activity and GET PAID!! !! ! I have begun to accept that I cannot face a general corporate setting any longer, and the recent weeks have shown me that I can be productive in spite of that - no, BECAUSE of that.

This has been an interesting realization and I have decided there is just no way I can backtrack to a more traditional routine. I have seen so much on a similar theme in this forum and just want to say you're not alone.

What is your project?

Hi Asp Cat, can definately relate to the desire to do that. I've been trying to set myself up as a freelance artist/designer, because I got a taste of independence and loathe the idea of going back to work for someone else. Now if I can just make money doing it....

Falling Frog: It has to do with electromagnetic scatter and signal processing.

Spaceplayer: Yes, making money is the problem. I have resources saved for the moment, but I must say that the extra happiness I am getting from being more empowered in my work would more than compensate for lower income for awhile. Eventually I will need some cash flow, however

Overall what is amazing is the realization that getting by and being happy beats the hell out of outstanding compensation and corporate hell. At least for me.

"Overall what is amazing is the realization that getting by and being happy beats the hell out of outstanding compensation and corporate hell. At least for me."

Amen to that. Good luck

I work from home and have done now for two years. I can resonate totally with all of this, though I am employed by a company.

About once every two weeks I go in Head Office and I love that as well. I get to meet and talk to people but I am not intertwined in the politics and egos which - apparently - going on and getting quite heavy.

My own position is not leading to any form of career development as such, but I have come to the conclusion that I don't necessarily want that again.

What about freelance/contract work?

Kornik

Kornik, your mode of operation sounds very satisfying. Although my AS prevents me from enjoying routine and constant interaction, I maintain contact with others in the same field, former colleagues, etc. It is always fun in that context, discussing problems, solutions, etc., as scientists and not corporate dragons.

I am working on that freelance/contract angle now. A colleague of mine has a boss who knows some people at a local university. This uni is world famous for its scientific research and is leading-edge. I don't know what will come of it yet.

At least here in the US, most communities require consultants who work from home to purchase a business license, which I am doing today. In this manner, I am legitimately set up as a business and can put it on my resume. My self-generated project can then be legitimately considered official work, paid or not. (This is about as far as I will go to play the game). Others here in our forum community will probably have to do the same thing if they start their own enterprise.