The Deeper Why – People Want to Work from Home

Each person has their own set of circumstances that motivate them to want to work from home. Some people need to work from home, and some people want to work from home. There are the surface reasons people give, such as in a job interview, and then there are the deeper, more meaningful reasons people want to work from home. Since COVID-19 hit, there is a new and totally different reason for working from home that has taken on a life of its own. However, we’ve actually been working from home all along. We’ve had the virtual business model for over 20 years, so working from home is not that new from our perspective like it is to so many who have recently been abruptly thrown into it.

We polled people who have actually been working from home successfully for years to learn what motivates them to work from home. The information below predates COVID-19 as a reason to work from home, although it certainly has become a major reason since March 2020.

Here are some reasons people have chosen to work from home predating the pandemic:

Eileen: My husband is ill and I’m here if he needs something. I don’t have to worry about him falling down and nobody being with him in case something happens. I’m able to earn money and be home for him, and that motivates me.

Tim: After commuting 1.5 hours each way for 15 years, I don’t even want to drive five miles anymore. And of course, the money is important and I like the challenge of the work.

Geoff: I like not having to wear suits to work anymore and how much time it saves no longer having to commute. I have the flexibility to help out my dad. I like the flexibility to be able to call different time zones.  If I have something to do in the morning, I can switch my schedule around and still work the same amount of time and make good money.

Cheryl: I think about all the crime and things going on out there in the world and I’m sitting here safe and sound in my home with a great job. Cold calling can be tough some days, but when I think of the benefits, it helps me get past those times. I feel appreciated by our clients.

Caroline: I love the money and the flexibility to have more time to do things with my kids and grandkids.

Sue: I like working from home so I can coordinate with my other responsibilities. When I worked 28 years in the corporate world, it seemed like all I did in my life was work. This job gives me so much more in my life and I am thankful for that.

Dyann: I love the job itself because I really like talking to people, and of course, I love the money.

Terry: I like being able to walk outside and pick fruit from my own trees for lunch. My dog had puppies and it’s good to be around. I love having a good income and being able to be home. I save money eating leftovers, and just being home is a comfort.

Melanie: I can work, make good money and be here to take care of my 84-year-old father. He does not need to be home alone. I like having the flexibility and the money to do fun things with my little grandbabies because I’m a fun MeeMee.

Stacee:  My kids have special needs and it’s difficult to find care workers who can do a good job. I like being able to go to their parent-teacher conferences and not have to work twelve-hour days.

Laurel:  My number one motivator is money.  I have been able to raise three kids as a single mom working from home with this job, knowing I could be at home and make an excellent income at the same time.

Melissa: I’m thankful for a company that truly has a lot of work. Not only can I make my bills, but I’ve got money at the end of the month so I can go have some fun. I want to have the ability to go out and be creative. That’s important to me because that’s part of my well-being. Also, I get to sit with my two dogs – or they get to sit with me!

Marilyn: I’m semi-retired. Now I can spend 55 hours a week working for fun. I love the comradery. I like the people. There’s something special about this job. People have mentioned working in the corporate world for so many years; this is just so much different than that. When I ask myself why I do it, it is because of the way I feel about the people that I work with – not to mention that I get to work from home.

Scott: I’ve always been involved with some type of animal rescue. My new project is working with an organization that helps homeless people feed their pets. That’s where a lot of my income goes right now. This job allows me to do both.

Kathleen: The freedom is pure joy. Having so many different accounts to work keeps it interesting. Another perk is not having to watch the weather and worry about how you’re going to get to a job that’s 30 miles away after getting three feet of snow.

Lisa: The clients who have reached out to me and thanked me for doing a good job are extremely motivating. I feel the support of our team and that motivates me as well.

Jim: One thing that comes into play for me is that we’re all in business for ourselves, but we’re also part of a group and a team. So, part of what motivates me is to not only be productive for our clients, but for our team. It’s a matter of professional pride.

Lynn: I’m an official member of the Sandwich Generation. Working from home has made it possible for me to take care of both my elderly mom and my young daughter. I’m not sure what would have happened to them if it wasn’t for my portable work from home job.

Barbara: Money and the contests are a great motivator. I love the fact that it has unlimited potential.