Bookeeping can be a lonely job - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

gerry · Senior Member

Bookeeping can be a lonely job

lor · Guru

I can't really comment on this, as I work Full Time in an office as a bookkeeper and Part Time running my bookkeeping business, but I can kind of understand where you are coming from. I think if I was to give up my Full Time job then I would feel isolated and miss the day to day socialisation. But then it is probably something you get used to and you will probably replace the "gap" with something else, can't think of anything at the mo, perhaps someone else can?

So yeah, I think you will get used to it, as it is a change of lifestyle, and everything that is different to your normal way of life seems odd at first.

It may sound easier than said, but just think of the great benefits, I think I would love to work just from home and not have to commute so much, go out in the cold, have to ask before taking hols, be your own boss, etc etc, just trying to make you think positively, hope that it helps.

Oh congrats of making a sucess and I hope it continues for you!

-- Edited by lor on Wednesday 6th of January 2010 07:16:46 PM

semsley · Guru

This may sound strange, but for company when I am working from home I have the radio on either 5 Live or Radio 4 (chat), I am not particularly listening to it but have it as background noise.

gerry · Senior Member

Thanks for your replies. Lor, how on earth do you manage to work full time, and part time and still write on the forum, wonder women springs to mind.

I think some of my problem may be that I used to work 50 odd hours a week, had a high powered stressfull job that was starting to affect my home life and family. Working for myself has cut the stress, cut the hours by half and changed the work/life balance. This was what I wanted but maybe I am still hankering after the social aspect plus the stress and the long hours. You know the quote, give a job to a busy person etc. that was me, now I have the time I find it hard to get motivated and the lonliness kicks in.

Maybe I need to be busier but I am scared to go back to my old stressed life. I think a lot has changed and I just need to get the balance right. You are right Lor there are lots of positives that I need to focus on. I need to get my head seen to, missing stress, hard work and mindless chit chat, I must be going mad!!!!! Is there a forum for the mad?

Thanks for your support

gerry

Ann-marie · Senior Member

Hi,

I'm currently working full time but in the process of starting up my own bookkeeping business and have often thought that I would miss the interaction of the other staff if I was to be at home full time just doing my business.

Have you been to any networking events or something similar? maybe you should try and go to one event a month to keep some of the people interactions in place and you might even pick up some more business.

You can always keep posting on here, there's plenty of us around if you feel like a chat any time :)

Ann-marie

Marky65 · Guru

Hi Gerry

I would agree with Ann-Marie's comments about going to networking events, they help get you out and meet people and who knows you might even get some business from it. I know that some events cost a bit to go to but it may be worth paying it just for your own sanity. Also, if cost is an issue Business Link have many fully subsidised events which are often worth attending.

Regards

Mark

thebooky · Newbie

Hello,

Have you thought about renting office space in a busy office environment of some other business.

Lots of offices have spare desks that a business would like to see occupied for obvious reasons.

This may be worth a thought.

All the best

lor · Guru

gerry wrote:

Thanks for your replies. Lor, how on earth do you manage to work full time, and part time and still write on the forum, wonder women springs to mind.

lol! - sometimes, I don't know! but I think it's filing a gap, since finishing college all of a sudden I had more free time, and thought I could use some of it to achieve something and also earn extra money. And maybe one day be able to work from home like your self.

Semsley, Radio is a good idea then you can listen to chit chat now and again!

-- Edited by lor on Thursday 7th of January 2010 12:23:38 PM

littlebookkeeper · Senior Member

Hi Gerry,

I used to have a stessful job with long hours and for that same reason chose to leave my job for a few years to bring up family and at first I felt quite lonely especially as I had just moved to a new town and didn't really know anyone. I started talking to myself, not good!

I have found that even just meeting up with someone for coffee for an hour during the day helps me deal with the isolation of being at home. You need a break anyway. I also have tried to socialise more in the evenings to give me the social interaction I need. Not always easy I know but if you are enjoying the work you are doing and it is going well it would be a shame to go back to the ratrace just to get the chat.

Just my view anyway.

Carole

Peasie · Expert

littlebookkeeper wrote:

I started talking to myself, not good!

It's when you start arguing with yourself that you should worry. biggrin

Alison · Senior Member

Hi

I worked just over two years working from home, I did not find it lonely as such but found that because I was working on my own found it hard to stay motivated and wanted to go shopping, watch television etc instead of work. I then opened an internet and gaming cafe with my husband running it on my own doing the bookkeeping from the retail counter, I did this for a year and because I left home to work found I was more motivated, admittedly there I felt more lonely because premises were quite large and it was good when customers in because enjoyed chatting but when no customers was lonely. After 1 year made the hard decision of closing the internet cafe and the bookkeeping had dwindled due to the recession and having clients in the wrong industry - luxury goods and service clients so made the decision of getting full time job and continue the bookkeeping and our online selling business part time. I had not had a full time job for over 3 years and found it daunting at first but do enjoy not working alone and having the social interaction again.

With working both at home and the internet cafe I had my favourite DAB radio station on all the time and kept me company.

Would advise if you are getting the clients and happy with the amount you can earn as a self employed bookkeeper maybe one thing to consider if you can is having a client base where half of it is working from home and the other at clients premises (at one point when my bookkeeping was full time before the internet cafe I had managed to get a half and half client base so had some social interaction some of the week at clients (basically being treated the same as an employee)

Alison

gerry · Senior Member

Thank you all so much for your advice.

I can see that this is something that I need to work on and your tips will certainly point me in the right direction.

I think motivation is a big point when working by yourself, there is always something else more interesting to do.

I was supposed to go to a clients office today but we both got snowed in at home so I spent the day sorting my own personal finances, feel better for getting that done.

Thanks again, I will keep you posted on my progress.

gerry

BackOfficeGroup · Guru

Gerry

Working from home has its advantages but many disadvantages too. It may be great not having to get dressed until noon but you also have to be very motivated, and if you have young kids, it may be difficult to keep them away!

Having an office in a serviced office block is great but is an extra cost. Also networking events ie breakfasts and the like get you out meeting people and just the interaction is good, with something to look forward to - but again this does come at a cost.

Being able to have to visit clients to do the work is a good one.

I also work full time as a Finance Manager for 3 recruitment companies but also do the home bit and some charitable stuff too!

P

gerry · Senior Member

Thank you P.

I do actually work at two clients offices and two clients at home, the office clients work abroad so I don't get to see them, I think its the idea of going to a cold office to work by myself that is making me feel lonely. I think I would prefer it if I was at home all day, at least that way, I could take a break when I wanted, I don't feel that I can do that in an office.

At least I have to get up and get dressed to go to work, otherwise every day could end up a pyjama day!!

I know that many people would love to be in my position so I shouldn't grumble, its just a learning curve that the grass is never greener on the other side!!

So I guess I will appreciate what I have, put on the radio and be greatful that I have a job at all.

Thank you all for your comments

Gerry