Is Working on Your Own Right for You?

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If working from home is something you would like to try, then knowing what your strengths and weaknesses are can set you on a smooth course. Some of the answers to this quiz may seem obvious to you. After all, you're an intelligent person and you know what you should or shouldn't do. You probably know that it is important to be organized, but are you? You probably know that procrastinating is a bad thing, but do you? Try to answer the questions according to the way you manage your life right now. Be honest. This is your life we're talking about. If you want to be successful, you have to be your own best coach. If you really have a dream of working from home or even starting your own business, it is important to know if you are ready.

The idea behind this quiz is not that there is a certain type of person who can be successful working from home while another cannot. In reality, people who work from home come in all shapes and variations. But those who are the most successful at working from home seem to share common characteristics. Perhaps you don't possess those traits. Does that mean you should give up your plan or your dream? Certainly not. It does mean that there are areas you might want to tune up before you take the plunge into working from home. Knowing what those areas are, whether they are procrastination or confidence, is half the battle. You have to know what it is that needs changing in order to make the change.

After you finish the quiz, tally up your answers. If you find that you're well equipped to work from home then don't waste a second getting started. If you realize that there are areas to work on, then perhaps you should attend to them before you take the plunge.

Choose the statement that best answers the questions below.

1. When I am working on a job:

   1. I need total silence to concentrate.

   2. I prefer soft music to get me in the zone.

   3. Noise and interruptions don't bother me much.

2. When it comes to starting a new job:

   1. I like having a supervisor around in case I get hung up.

   2. I like to know exactly what my job description is.

   3. I like the challenge of having to figure it out on my own.

3. When it comes to working long hours:

   1. Long hours wear me down.

   2. I prefer to keep to my agreed-upon contractual hours.

   3. Hard work invigorates me.

4. When it comes to preparing my taxes:

   1. I'm usually rummaging through file boxes at midnight on April 14th.

   2. I try to improve my preparation style each year.

   3. I have a system that keeps me organized and ready all year.

5. When the mail arrives each day:

   1. I toss it onto the kitchen counter and move it when it threatens to take over the kitchen.

   2. I go through it every couple of weeks.

   3. I sort , toss, and file as it comes in.

6. When it comes to paying bills:

   1. I pay what I can afford and put the rest in a pile.

   2. I leave one day in my day planner for paying bills and filing.

   3. I pay my bills on the 15th and 30th of each month.

7. Some people make a To-Do List but:

   1. What's a To-Do List?

   2. I keep an ongoing list in my head.

   3. I keep a steno pad with my lists in the car next to me.

8. When it comes to career paths, I believe:

   1. You should stick with what you were trained to do even if it's not what you expected.

   2. You should consult with others to see if you should change careers.

   3. You should do what makes you feel happy and alive .

9. When I see everyone going in a certain direction, I tend to:

   1. Get worried and feel unsure what to do.

   2. Figure that the crowd must know something I don't so I join along.

   3. Follow the path that makes the most sense to me.

10. When I work with others, I prefer:

    1. I don't like working with anyone .

    2. To be a team player and let the group make decisions.

    3. To take a leadership position.

11. When I receive phone calls, my style is to:

    1. Call back if it's important to me.

    2. Add the call to the list of people I need to call back.

    3. Call back quickly, usually within a few hours.

12. When my work schedule gets interrupted :

    1. I usually take it out on everyone around me.

    2. I get agitated and have trouble settling back down.

    3. I go with it, and figure out another way to get my work done.

13. When it comes to following a set routine, I find that:

    1. I feel calmer knowing what my day is going to look like.

    2. Routines bore me.

    3. Routines keep me on track, but I'm never surprised by the unexpected.

14. When life gets chaotic :

    1. I stay put and wait for the dust to settle .

    2. I wonder if I am doing the right thing.

    3. I take a deep breath and keep walking forward.

15. When it comes to multitasking:

    1. I find that I never get to finish any of the tasks .

    2. I prefer taking on one thing at a time.

    3. I welcome the challenge.

16. When it comes to risk-taking:

    1. I like to play it fast and loose.

    2. I figure I have a 50/50 chance of making it.

    3. I bet on myself and not the odds.

17. When it comes to analyzing the facts and making decisions:

    1. I prefer to have a consultation with my astrologer.

    2. With all my degrees I'm bound to make a good decision.

    3. I rely on my instincts and my own street smarts.

18. When it comes to this business idea:

    1. All businesses are basically the same.

    2. It's what I've been doing for years .

    3. I'm brand-new to it, but I plan on making a business plan first.

19. When it comes to a financial strategy:

    1. When the money starts coming in, finances won't be an issue.

    2. I have some savings and credit cards.

    3. I've got money set aside in case I need it.

20. When problems arise:

    1. I figure that somebody let me down.

    2. I tend to let the answering machine screen out my calls.

    3. I don't make excuses.

21. I've made the decision to try this business venture because:

    1. I've heard of quite a few people who have made big money on this.

    2. I've always wanted to have my own business.

    3. I've done my homework, and I'm prepared to give this a try.

22. When it comes to legal and accounting matters:

    1. Those do-it-yourself guides are as good as anyone else.

    2. I plan on hiring a good accountant and lawyer, but I have to make some money first.

    3. I plan on using professionals with solid reputations from the beginning.

23. When I look at other people who have failed:

    1. I assume that they're just inexperienced.

    2. Statistically, some people are just not going to make it.

    3. I take a closer look to see if I can avoid some of the problems they faced.

24. When it comes to keeping deadlines:

    1. I take deadlines with a grain of salt and figure that people need to be flexible.

    2. I often wait until the last minute because I work best under pressure.

    3. When I make a deadline, I keep it.

25. When it comes to creating a budget plan:

    1. Business plans are for large companies with employees and overhead.

    2. I did look at a few sample budget plans.

    3. Business plans are like maps and are meant to keep you on course.

Determine Your Score

Your score on this quiz can range from 0 to 75. Remember to use your score as an indicator of strengths and weaknesses. This is hardly a personality test.

For each question you answered with an A, score 0; score 2 points for each B; and give yourself 3 points for each C.

70 “ 75	You have excellent skills and a natural ability to be successful working from home. Now get going!
45 “ 70	Well done. You have many of the qualities necessary to be successful in a home office. Improve your strengths, do your homework, and plan carefully .
Below 45	Put the brakes on for a while and take the time to get more experience. Your excitement to work from home may be greater than your ability to handle it. Seek out a few people who are successful working from home and study them closely.

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