Have you ever dreamed of giving up the daily corporate grind, and perhaps work from home?
For example, working from home running your own business, rather than being at the beck and call of a corporate boss?
For many of us, this is a long-standing dream which will probably never come to fruition, but there are a few people who really manage to make the break and do something different.
I am one of those people!
I worked for thirty years in the financial services sector, focusing on IT and project management, team leadership and business strategy. I followed a pretty average path through school and academia, passing exams and then falling in to my first job in London in the same way as all of my friends seemed to do. I was happy, building up my skills and comfortable with my monthly pay check, and yet there always seemed to be something missing from my working life.
So, in between going to work and achieving my responsibilities, I decided to start doing something differently.
I set up a small company, doing blog set up and support for friends and family, charging nominal rates while I built up my experience.
At that time, blogging was a relatively new phenomenon and there was a lot to learn. I spent most of my spare time with my head in books or on the computer, giving myself some space to learn about something I had a real passion for.
To be honest, I could have chosen any passion to devote my energies to. If I had been a horse rider, I may have started looking into opportunities in that sector.
If I’d liked stocks and shares, I could have learned financial analysis or brokering.
It was much more about satisfying that nagging drive to achieve something different, than the actual subject I chose to learn about.
Over a couple of years, I began to realize that my hobby was becoming much more interesting and rewarding for me than my day to day job. I began to imagine that I could truly become one of those people I had always envied – someone who worked from home, for themselves, turning a profit out of the subject they loved.
All of a sudden, it hit me that I could be one of those people.
I turned my attentions to the logistics of running a home-based business. And then, feeling nervous but determined, I made the jump and became self-employed.
I am now lucky enough to have a thriving business that enables me to do what I love, in my own time. I don’t have to commute any more to a huge bland office, spending time in a working environment I don’t enjoy.
I’m happy, and finally that nagging voice which I carried with me for thirty years, that kept reminding me that there must be more to life, has become quiet.
Don’t get me wrong, there were a lot of issues I had to face when I first started to work for myself.
It was difficult to get the discipline and dedication I needed to make my business thrive.
It was tough to find the right space to work from, in an environment I’d previously associated with domestic chores and having fun.
I had to make a great number of mistakes before I finally learned enough to succeed.
You Too Can Work From Home
I’ve written down all I have learned in a simple, easy to read and accessible book – The Pajama Tycoon
I wanted to explain some of the pitfalls of working from home and provide solid, real advice about how to avoid them.
Please note:
The Pajama Tycoon does not tell you how to make an income from home or how to start a business from home. It assumes you already work from home and want to improve your personal productivity and happiness.
The Pajama Tycoon – On Amazon:
IN PAPERBACK: click here
ON KINDLE click here
Congrats Andrew! That’s awesome. I enjoy reading your blog. You are an amazing guy. With dedication and persistence, anyone can work from home. And you’ve proved that.
Shilpan
I agree – anyone can work from home…if they really want it.
Andrew
Andrew –
Congrats on being able to make the switch. It’s amazing how different your day can feel when you’re working at something you love vs. working to love something you’re doing.
Kathy
You are so right…work no longer feels like work!
Andrew
Wahoo, Andrew! A book. I’m very proud of you, and proud to be one of your many many friends. Thanks for all you do to help all of us!
Amy,
The book did take a long time to write but now I have the one ‘under my belt’, I’m keen to write the next one. In fact, I am half way through it!
Andrew
Ahh, the dream of not getting up to slave away to someone else’s tune. I hope to make this switch in the maybe not so far future,and your advise is well received. I am already learning it takes discipline and structure, starting with an office. Thanks Andrew for this information.
Anne
Anne
You are more than welcome. You will make the switch. It took me 3 years of building my own business (on the side) while still working full time.
Those were the days when the work / life balance was definitely leaning towards the work side!
Andrew
Corinne
Thanks for those kinds words!
I really do believe in work / life balance.
It’s not easy to do…especially when you enjoy work (like I do!).
But the ‘life’ things like dancing are a great escape and we have so much fun.
These days we hire our own hall and just dance away. Another couple join us and not only do we dance, it turns into a great social night.
Anyway…mush dash…got work to do!
Andrew
Congratulations to your book! You’re the author and a book that comes with the most powerful testimonial there is: your own experience-based knowledge and experience. In that sense, congratulations for having worked your pajamas’ posteriors off until you found working from home works for you. Good thing you now not only have new pj’s, but also nice stuff to put on when taking your woman out for a dance. Is it glitter sewn to your jacket, or just in your eyes?
~Beat
Beat
I’m certainly not brave enough to wear pajamas while dancing.
I do have a kilt – I could wear that!
Andrew
Working from home is PERFECT for me. The only thing that I lack a bit is sport. I could organize better and find more time for that.
Lucy
What’s stopping you getting some sport?
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
I will have to check out the book. I can alwaysd use more advice from you. Yes, i work from home and Andrew has helped me in many ways. If it wasn’t for him i would be dead in the water when it comes to the technical stuff. You have saved my life.
You talk about keeping the office clean. Very good point. I am in the process of changing rooms for mine. Really looking forward to little more space and that fresh paint.
As for the kilt , wow I would love to see that one. If you can dance to would there be a change I could make a video. It would most likely go viral. LOL
Anyway congrat on the book and you deserve the best for all your hard work. I am a better person for knowing you. That goes for my buisness and OOPS (that is the name of my PC) my PC too.
Debbie,
I do have a photo of me in my kilt.
I was hosting a large corporate company awayday in Scotland. I decided to wear a kilt. I think it was well received!
Andrew
P.S. I know what you next question is!
Looks like an awesome book congrats! I’m sure a lot of people will learn a great deal of useful information. Your writing style is so easy to read and straightforward with clear action steps it’ll be a great resource.
Thanks, Joel.
I hope people buy it and learn something from it!
Andrew
Well Andrew, it seems you teach what you know right? Interesting post and even if I already know that the book is probably very good the title is simply perfect and self-explanatory. Happy weekend! 🙂
Andrea
Thanks. I did change the title 3 times!
Andrew
I agree, anyone can work from home, but it is up to that person if he/she would still like to continue and strive to become successful in their work-from-home endeavors. There are a lot of people who fail trying to work-from-home, but in the end they still go out and work at offices, just because they lack enough discipline working alone at home and they miss the social interaction in offices.
Felicia
The discipline can be the hardest for most people. This is one of the major areas I cover in the book.
One of the easiest things to do is to remind yourself…’this is your business and no work = no income = no fun!”
Andrew
I have seen people who earn insanely massive income just from blogging.
I find it hard to believe at first until I see it right in front of me.
Yes! It’s possible!
Raymond,
There are some but 99.5% don’t!
The Pajama Tycoon does not tell you how to make an income from home or how to start a business from home.
It assumes you already work from home and want to improve your personal productivity, fitness and happiness.
Andrew
that’s right, but still… I know many who failed in running their own business because of lack of experience… so not everybody is a good manager and before running your own business you must be very sure and determined to achieve success
Amanda
I agree, experience does come into it and you have to invest in your knowledge.
Andrew
I love the title. Very catchy! I’ve been working from home for years and although not a tycoon yet, I also love it and mostly it doesn’t feel like work. Mostly I love being able to pick and choose my clients, my schedule, my days off. but when I do that, I’m out of routine and make less money. When I focus like a ‘real business’ the money is more consistent. The book will probably help me stay more focused and not get distracted to easily.. oh wait, … there goes a bird… what’s that on the floor…… Thanks and good luck with this!
Michelle
What you say is very true…work for me is not work. I do cover overcoming distractions in the book…it’s one of the biggest things that stop people from progressing.
Andrew
In every work of life dedication and determination is required but moreover in blogging frequency and consistency is also required. Very happy to read your dedication and determination story that throw you on the way of success.
Azam,
Let me have your feedback, once read…I would really appreciate it.
Btw, I think every business we run from home needs didication, determination, disipline, consistency…
Andrew
Congratulations on your book Andrew. I love that you have achieved success at working at home. I am sure that people who read your book will get a better understanding of what it takes to work from home. It should therefore be of value to people who are considering making this shift.
@ Corinne, thanks for the heads up.
Thanks, Neil.
It will highlight to those who have yet to make the shift, how nard (or perhaps easy) working from home can be!
Andrew
You are amazingly productive and if anyone could teach this topic it would be you. I have found you to be transparent, kind and giving. I look forward to reading the Pajama Tycoon. Congrats on this project!
Thank YOU for those kind words, Bruce.
Any feedback would be very welcome.
Andrew
Work at home is a good idea for Moms like me but for this time I still work in a company and I am planning very soon to work at home.
Ashleen
Tell us more…what’s the plan? What’s the timescales?
Andrew
I am giving your book a try. Based on the comments I’ve read, I think I’ll be able to learn a lot from you. I’ll be posting what I’ve learn after checking it.
Thank YOU.
Can’t wait to hear what you say…thanks.
Andrew
the book seems a good read and perfect to those that work from home like me..i wanna get this book.thanks for the share.
Becca
Thanks!
I hope you like it and all feedback would be very welcome.
Andrew
Andrew – congrats on being able to break away from the “grind” of 9-5!! I’ve done the same myself, and although it can be stressful and daunting at times, I have never regretted my decision! The freedom to work my own hours and not have someone look over my shoulders is huge. Plus, the extra time spent with the kids is an added bonus 🙂
Dave
Thanks for the congrats and congrats to you!
Andrew
Andrew – Just wanted to add that it took me several years of working “part time” at home before I could completely break away. I think that’s the smartest way to do it anyways! 🙂
Dave,
It took me 3 years working ‘part-time’ on my own business while working full-time before I could leave the 9-5.
Andrew
congo Andrew ……..awesome work …….will help people workin from home …….always follow your blogs ………
Andrew, I wish you well with your book sales. It is refreshing to hear of success stories from people working @ home.
Thanks, Wade.
It did take me 3 years of working part-time on my on-line business while working full-time for a large corporate company before I could give up the 9-5. But all, very much worth it!
Andrew
i do a lot of work from home only
this post will help me to do more good work
thnx for sharing
Not sure the post will, Divas. The book will!
Andrew
Andrew,
I will definitely check out your book. I seriously need self discipline tips while working at home. It’s too easy to get side-tracked on the internet. It used to be TV, but we don’t have that anymore. I tend to go off on tangents and don’t get back on task for long periods of time.
Sherru
Sherri
Well I hope the book helps…any feedback would be very welcome.
Thanks,
Andrew