I have recently read a ton of articles about freelancing and working from home and how to get yourself motivated. Some of the common advice I keep hearing is keep your self clear of distractions, tell your family not to bother you, get dressed in work clothes so you know it is “business time” and I can’t help but think “why are these people working from home?!??”. I say this as I sit in my sweats, some Billy Ocean blasting over the speakers, Fable II is playing on the XBox earning me some Fable cash and I am planning my afternoon of talking a walk with my nieces and my dog.

Now I am not saying this works for everyone, but you have to think if you have to make your house like an office, why are you working from home and not an office? There are so many coworking options available for freelancers who require structure that I just don’t see the point. I myself drop on my IndyHall in Philadelphia once a month or so (keep in mind I live in Baltimore) when I need to work with others, but the majority of my work is done from my living room. For me it is pretty simple, when I am in a work mindset I will work and get my work done and “distractions” just don’t distract me. If I am being easily distracted then I am not really in a work mindset and my clients are going to get subpar work. You can’t force creativity… it just happens.

Freelancing is not for everyone…. infact it isn’t for most people. You are your own salesman, marketter, collections, work staff, boss and janitor. For those of us cut out for freelancing it really boils down to two reasons, money or freedom (and if you are lucky both). Either you can make more money freelancing then you can at a steady gig or you can work less then you would have to at a 9 to 5.

Either way you aren’t punching a clock.

I say Pffft to all that freelance advise:

• Check your email whenever you want to… middle of the night? If you feel up to it go ahead!
• Work in your jammys? Why not… keep a sweater and a hairbrush handy for those web cam calls.
• Do chores in the middle of the day? Go ahead! Maybe you will be inspired at 7pm to work and you can do it knowing your laundry and dishes are done.

If you have the inability to let your work effect your life, your problem is not defining rules so that you have a life, your life clearly is not more exciting then your work… so either you need a therapist or you just have a really awesome job.

In the end of the day, do what makes you happy and if you aren’t happier freelancing then you are at a job, then get a job… it isn’t something to be ashamed of, I myself can’t work for others, I just am bad at it… we all need to follow through on our strengths.