For many people, the ideal working environment is their own home. Whether it's freelancing for another company or running their own business, the freedom to control working hours sounds like a dream.

So, how to make the dream a reality? Are you ready to become your own boss? Ask yourself these six questions to find out if this lifestyle would really work for you:

• Are you self-reliant? One of the biggest myths about people who work at home or freelance is that they are only temporarily self-employed, as a stopgap measure while looking for a 'real' job. That's true for some, but most are individualists at heart. They've either chosen to work independently; or once becoming involuntarily self-employed, they discover that they like it. Are you good at managing your own time? Are you productive when you have to create your own structure?

• Do you hunger for variety? People who successfully work at home or freelance tire easily of monotony. They prefer to choose their assignments, rather than performing the same tasks over and over again. Working independently brings constant exposure to new projects, working environments and business contacts.

• Are you interested in gaining new skills? Work-at-homers and freelancers can consistently expand their skills by picking and choosing assignments that interest and challenge them. In fact, it's often necessary to keep learning new skills, to stay competitive and get customers or clients.

• Do you want a better balance between your work and your life? As the cliche says, you only live once, and many people who opt for independence are in search of a better mix between their professional and personal lives. Since people who work for themselves control their hours, it's easier to reserve time for family, hobbies, volunteer work and other personal interests. Part of the beauty of being boss-free is working when you want (or need) to work.

• Are you tired of office politics? Many people cite freedom from office politics as a major benefit of independence. They can focus on their work without the complex politics that preoccupy many full-time employees struggling to climb the corporate ladder. By working on a project or contract basis, they focus on delivering good work while building careers on their own terms.

• Can this kind of lifestyle support your financial needs? Initially, most people who work for themselves will find their income drops. Ask yourself what is the minimum amount you need every month to live on and break that down into an hourly rate based on how much you anticipate working. Want to be a part-time work-at-home mum? Then divide your monthly income needs by 80 (20 hours a week for four weeks) and you'll see how much you'll need to be earning per hour - either being paid on per-project basis or an hourly rate. Take a look at your current expenditure and see what you can cut down on. Then assess what you need to get started - keep in mind that for many work-at-home or independent businesses, you may already have the necessary items, such as a computer, an email account and a telephone.