Hi there - thanks for coming back to visit! While you're here, why not sign up for the Legal Practice Pro Newsletter?
The last few months have been pretty interesting and a bit stressful. As some of you know, I own the building that I work from and lately, I’ve just been wondering why. The type of work that I doesn’t really require a brick-and-mortar office and being a landlord is becoming a bit tiresome. It’s not so much that my tenants are bad, they’re actually pretty good, but the excess paperwork, bookkeeping and day-to-day concerns of maintaining the building are bit more than I care to deal with and sometimes prove to be a distraction I can’t recover from.
I’ve also found that because 100% of my marketing efforts are targeted towards the Internet, and less than 2% of my clients ever actually meet me in person, my client base could care less where I work from. “The presentation” is losing its appeal rapidly.
Since I started this blog, I’ve managed to become quite proficient at streamlining my business processes and our overall office efficiency. This translates into happy clients and happy personnel.
My commute is nothing to complain about: a mere 10 Minute Drive door-to-door. But sometimes I feel like I’m driving their only because that’s where all my files are and I don’t think it has really been worth it.
Every minute that I sit idly at my office wondering if anybody’s going to ask the walk to the door randomly off the street I quickly recoil and realize how silly it is for someone to expect an attorney to drop everything and start working on an initial consultation. Let’s face it even personal injury attorneys don’t get that kind of walk in traffic without an appointment.
So about three weeks ago, I hired a realtor and listed my building for sale. Ever since the day I have felt a little bit lighter on my feet and I’m excited to start planning the new layout for my home office. I’ve only owned the building for about two years, but the investment should pay off.
Now, just because my building is about to be sold does not mean I haven’t considered renting office space. Silly I know, but I still got just a few reservations rational or otherwise, that keep me from completely going home.
Stay tuned, more to come.
Related posts:
I think you will love working at home 100% of the time. Keep us posted on your transition from the brick and mortar office to the home office. And welcome to the ranks of the Home Office Warrior.
When I work at home, I am always tempted to take naps and I have a hard time staying out of the refrigerator.
I’ve been debating the exact same question. Realistically I believe I would be better served with a nice home-office and invest the rent in marketing and building my book. With the savings I could even meet my clients at their homes if need be. I’m still not sure if I need to preserve the “presentation” factor.
High Return Investing with Daxs last blog post..Reader Questions on Self-Directed IRA’s
if the market continues the way it’s going I’d like to live on that island!
I love working from home and I bet you will too. I am a computer consultant so I do most of my work at other people’s offices or via the internet. There’s really no need for me to have an office so I save a lot on overhead and the commute is a breeze!!!
Good luck making the jump.
Tim
Downloadable Softwares last blog post..What Makes Great Free Software?