Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
Does the prospect of perpetual stability and security bore you? Are you tired of cubicle life and yearn to be your own boss? Looking for a one-way ticket to madness and hysteria? Have I got news for you!
The sure fire way to achieve this dream is to quit your job and stay home all day. Whether it's to start/raise a family or become an entrepreneur, you will start to see a new and exciting side of yourself you've never known. Here are some tips I've learned first-hand for when you arrive to make your stay in crazy-land comfortable:
1. Don't Let Happiness Get in the Way of Budding Accomplishments. You are happy and it shows. You've achieved a life-long dream of independence. Now what? You may feel guilty about this turn of events. Use it to your advantage. Let the guilt you feel by the great gift you've been given mount until you cannot face yourself in the mirror, unless you happen to be Windexing it at the same time. Vow to keep the bathroom clean, the bills paid, your GPA up!
2. Envision Calamity. When things are going well and you have plenty of time to yourself, take a few moments about every half hour or so to envision every possible scenario that could go wrong in your plans. Think about what could be the greatest hindrance to your freedom. A layoff and foreclosure? A tumble down the stairs? Another FAFSA rejection and request for more info letter? Just let these thoughts soak right in, your heart should start racing any second now.
3. Since You Aren't Gainfully Employed, Consider Volunteer Work. But remember, charity begins at home. What better place to spend every single second of your time? There is a never-ending supply of things to do in a house, it's a amazing. To be honest, you could not set foot outside for a full week if you tried! If you are lucky enough to earn some income from home, try to keep it that way, there is no need to do part-time work outside the home.
4. Kiss Your Balance Good-Bye, and Say Hello to Your New Best Friend. When you stay home for a living, no doubt you had some practical goals in mind and you should by all means attempt to accomplish them. You may have had some transient thoughts about achieving balance, but I'm here to tell you that is overrated. Instead of taking breaks between tasks, try to fool yourself into eliminating breaks with fun, timed sessions in which you can effectively pack every moment full of productivity. Going to the bathroom? Should take you 3 minutes. Windex within reach. Doing dishes? 5 minutes, do double-duty by standing on one leg to build up your ankle strength. My favorite ear-piercing timer can be set for each task so that you are constantly pumping yourself with adrenaline for the next one!
5. Avoid Human Contact! Nothing is more distracting than love, friendship, and the companionship of others. Try to categorically eliminate these distractions from your life by putting off socializing or even running errands so that you can avoid people completely. Try to manage most of your life on the internet, almost anything you could ever want can be delivered, with the exception of fresh produce. For an extra bonus, start a blog and by all means, get embroiled in bitter debate with total strangers who want to rip your face off. This will help perfectly condition that flinch and stutter reflex when you do have a chance to venture out in public.
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
Comments
08.18.08
Nice sum-up of your home life.
Sounds like what I'm learning from "working at home" when I have school projects to complete. I'm currently working part time to make space for a certification.
While staying at home to work is basically the only way I can get projects done and handed in on time, I'm starting to think that I should take my laptop to the city library. My ability to stay in focus while at home is currently in the pooper, and either takes time to master, or is a lost cause. So far all my projects have been in on time and back with good results, but with six more courses to complete over the next year and a half I'm scared for my future productivity.
08.18.08
@torbjorn rive -
Wow, I hope you don't think that sounds nice! ; )
I think getting out of the house is critical to sanity. For some reason, last week, I tried to make it a goal to not leave the house unless I was using my bike in order to cut my dependency on my car.
However, I ended up unconsciously opting to just stay in. I paid the price with my sanity. I basically had to spend most of my weekend outdoors to recover!
Six more courses to complete? Join the club, me too! Just think of the reward at the end though. I cannot wait to be done with my masters degree.
08.18.08
Ha! I wasn't implying that staying home is nice at all (though time to oneself is key). It IS tough on the nerves.
I usually get out on at least one bike ride when I stay home, and if not I start my day off with a 30 minute run. It gets all the nerves and shackles off nice and early so I can get into work-mode faster.
And, too much coffee makes for mindless internet browsing.
08.18.08
Hey Milena,
You gave me a laugh with this one. You gotta get out!! My wife accuses me of spending too much time on the computer. Does hubby think so too?
The brain rest is welcome though, and that idleness has to be good for a while--and will actually help you finish those courses towards your masters. Trust me, you're talking to someone who has worked at home since 2002.
As for Windex, I don't do windows, mirrors, or floors. ;-)
08.18.08
@springraise - phew! I was starting to think people thought I was proud of my new lifestyle.
Yep. Hubby and I had a long talk about different ways I can stay away from the computer and get out of the house. I put them in action over the weekend and today. Staying away from my beloved blog and weird online snipe-fests was number one. Keeping regular work hours is another idea, so I won't feel compelled to work at 10pm just because I can! Then, not worrying so much about how clean the house is was another. It's not a big deal. It's going to get messy again, but seriously, Windex can solve any cleaning need.
This sounds silly, but I didn't see it all coming when I decided to quit my job.
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
|
|
|
 |
