Around the time that I was writing my "dream big" posts, where I was plotting world domination via vintage, I got an offer for a different job. If you have read my My Story page you know that I had been working at home on the weekends for a company since 2010. My new gig is very similar, still work at home, but it is Monday through Thursday during the daytime - much, much better! Also, there is a chance I could eventually get a full time offer, with a raise and maybe even benefits.
Of course this little turn of events has understandably thrown me off more than a little. Here I am plotting the future of my business, and the universe throws me a completely different opportunity. Just to shake things up a bit, as the universe seems to love to do... So, I've been settling into my new schedule and contemplating what I want to do going forward.
To be perfectly honest if the job wasn't a work from home job, I probably wouldn't be considering it quite as seriously. I have no real desire to go back to the office life, though I guess I could probably be persuaded if the paycheck was big enough. That being said, I have a hard time justifying turning down a paying job that lets me work at my own computer, with no need to worry about traffic, or the weather, or the dress code... I know how rare an opportunity that is, especially with a company that I feel good about.
As it stands right now though it is still just a part time gig, so my business is trucking along as usual. If I do end up going full time that is when I will need to really decide how I want to handle my business from that point on - I will definitely NOT be closing it down though, that's for sure. Having been laid off from what I thought was a lifetime position has made me completely distrustful of any job that I'm not in control of - I can't see myself ever living without an independent stream of income again. It is just what that independent stream of income will entail that is up in the air at the moment...
Here's the thing - when you do this online selling stuff as your main source of income, you tend to spend the majority of your time chasing every possible buck. Parts of the job are very enjoyable, and parts of it are pure drudgery and frustration. But since your bills are due next month, you are all in so to speak - so you get to work and make it happen.
If your business isn't your main source of income, it kind of frees you up a bit - you don't necessarily have to chase down every buck, and you have the freedom to choose what you want to do and what you think isn't worth doing. It takes some of the stress out of the whole deal - which, after 5 years of full time selling, is quite appealing to me. Being able to take a day or two off completely from the business without guilt is quite appealing to me too, as is being able to actually take a real, honest to god VACATION - something I haven't done in around 6 years (!!!).
So, I will keep you all posted as things develop - everything is still pretty up in the air as of right now, so only time will tell how it all ends up playing out. In the meantime I am going to TRY to do better about posting here - I've still got a post topic list a mile long, it is just a matter of sitting down and getting them done... :)
And because I feel bad about writing a big long post with not photos in it - somewhat of a blogging sin - here is part of a priceless comic from The Oatmeal about working from home. It's funny because it's TRUE. ;)
