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Recently, at a hang out with a colleague we got chatting about work, life and all that comes with it. A long time ago, I might have said I wanted a job where I would have to go into the office every day. That day though, sitting and having a conversation between two ladies who just wanted to catch up on a couple of drinks, we both agreed that it’s truly a good benefit to have the option to work from home aka ‘WFH’.
It’s really encouraging when you have employers that see the value in providing work from home options as a benefit because it’s really a competitive advantage. Especially with how busy life can get, it’s of importance that you have some work-life balance. Having this option helps an employee feel valued and not feel like just a seat warmer.
It’s important for employers to realize that the quality of your work isn’t determined by how often you show up in the office but in your results. Many companies are now adopting this approach and it’s only getting even better as most companies now offer this as an unlimited option, meaning that employment options are getting better.
However, people are different and preferences vary. Some employees want to be remote workers – basically, they want to work from home 100 percent of the time! And while this might work for some, it might not for others. Thankfully, we now have the option to make an informed decision in this modern work world based on our choices and lifestyles as the world of work is consistently changing.
Did you know that there are legitimate work from home and online jobs that you can do? So what are some of the benefits of working from home?
1. The feeling of independence
Not feeling the need to rush out early in the morning can be a good start to the day! Having the luxury of working in your pajamas has been some of the benefits many people are quick to say and this is quite understandable. Imagine the commute time you would have saved doing this. Working from home will also help you improve on your motivation and discipline which is an important skill that can be applied in your role.
Some people might have health challenges which then makes your work from home a priority and something often negotiated before accepting a job offer. If this is the case, it helps such worker feel cherished within the organization.
2. It could improve your productivity
Knowing that you have to make your results count since you don’t have your boss hovering around your shoulder could actually be a productivity booster. If you are able to take a quick power nap every now and then you’d also be more relaxed and ready to concentrate even more. This can be beneficial for you.
This means that you’d end up getting more work done as there would be no distractions which can usually arise in busy offices.
Read: These are the Top Workplace Distractions
There are a number of other benefits like having that extra comfort of doing things at your own pace, quickly grabbing a bite, doing laundry and working at the same time, etc. let’s not forget that you’d equally become a pro with technological means of communicating which is a good skill to have judging by the fact that you’ll be using these tools a lot.
And what are the disadvantages?
1. It could lead to burnout
Working with no strict regulated hours might mean overtime for people who are workaholics or prone to do too much at a time. Also, the fact that your office is in the same location as your home might be hard for some people to make a distinct separation of when to leave work at work.
Creating a calendar that you can work with is a good way to improve on your time management so that you are not overworking yourself. But it’s equally important to know that you have to stick to it and this is where self-discipline comes to play.
2. You feel left out
Not being in the same location as the boss or other workers might give the feeling of anxiety as you feel left out. It can be difficult to replace that human connection which can be gotten from working in the office. Also, in some cases, there might be the issue of security of data which might limit your access to information when working from home making a worker feel left out.
A way to handle this is to attend as many virtual meetings or conferences as you can with colleagues. Remember to also speak up at these events so that your colleagues know who you are and what you are up to. This will help you stay updated and even make virtual friends within your organization if necessary.
3. There might be the feeling that you aren’t working enough
Since you are working from home it can be a challenge to measure your success to prove that you are indeed ‘working’. Know that it’s your responsibility to do as much as you can to show that you are pulling your weight. Communicate frequently, meet up with KPIs and let your team know of what you are up to as this is a way to keep others in the loop. This isn’t something to be ashamed of.
Try to set up regular meetings with your boss to keep them informed. A good time to do this will be during one-on-ones so that they know what you have been up to.
The truth about working from home is that it brings with it its merits and disadvantages just like every other thing in life. However, it’s left for you to make an honest decision based on what success means to you as an individual and what you want your work life to look like in the future. So if this is something that interests you, don’t hesitate to check out this article on 12 legitimate work from home and online jobs you can do right now!
Are you considering working from home or do you already exploring this option? Please share what it feels like for you in the comment section below, we’d love to hear from you. Subscribe to the blog so that you are immediately updated once there are exclusive updates.
