The idea of working from home can be quite enticing.
Not having to commute back and forth each day, having the flexibility to work anywhere, and being at home with your family are a few examples of why you may want to work remotely. However, there are negatives to consider as well such as; having home-life distractions and an inability to communicate with co-workers face to face.
Keep reading for the pros and cons of working from home and a guide on how to be productive while working remotely.
Pros
Work-life Balance
Working from home improves work-life balance by eliminating commute time, adding flexibility to your schedule, and adding more family time to your day.
Reduced Stress
When you remove office politics, having your movements under a microscope, and the pressure of being professional every second, you also remove stress.
Cost Savings
Remote work can relieve the stress of some financial burdens. When you work from home, you spend less on office attire, transportation, car upkeep, and meals because you can prepare your own meals.
Comfortability
Working from home is more comfortable. You will likely have the ability to sit in bed, or on the couch with your computer and wear more relaxed clothing. Additionally, you get to work at your own pace.
Ability to Work Anywhere
One of the best parts of working from home is having the ability to work anywhere you would like. You can work at a coffee shop, in the passenger seat during a road trip, at the beach, or anywhere else you can think of.
Cons
Lack of Social Interaction
Unfortunately, if you don’t have the most active social life, working from home can make you go stir crazy. Interacting face-to-face at work each day can be great for your mental health, and when the coronavirus pandemic forced everyone to stay home, many became quite depressed.
Distractions
Remote work also makes you vulnerable to constant distractions, especially if you have kids, a spouse, or pets at home. Busy street traffic, neighbors, and household chores can also distract you from your work.
Technical Difficulties
Working from home makes technical difficulties like the internet being down or slow connection your problem. Your company will likely still have an IT department that helps with Internal technical issues, but when your own devices malfunction, you’re on your own.
Workspace and Organization
To remain productive, you might need to dedicate a space to your work. This means that spending time, money, and resources on an in-home office and organizational system might be necessary.
Decreased Self Discipline
Since remote work leaves employees primarily unmonitored, their self-discipline may decrease, which impacts their work. Having the self-discipline to keep up with your appearance and hygiene can also be an issue for remote workers which may lead to depression, stress, and even health concerns.
How to Stay Productive
When reviewing the cons list, you may notice that most of the negative aspects of remote work relate to productivity. Staying productive and on top of your work is essential, and when you falter, your job is put at risk.
Luckily, there are many ways to stay motivated and create a work environment that encourages productivity.
Limit Distractions
Limiting distractions is one of the most beneficial things you can do to stay productive. If you live with others, express to them the importance of limiting interruptions while you work. Getting back on track can be difficult after a disruption, even if it is small.
Make a Schedule
Making a schedule is another way to stay productive. If you create a work schedule, you are less likely to hinder performance with unrelated tasks. Your schedule does not have to be the typical 9 am-5 pm schedule. The glory of working from home is working on your own schedule. If you are most comfortable working in 2-hour blocks, or at midnight, then make that your schedule.
It can be helpful to add personal hygiene habits and healthy meals to your schedule to stay disciplined and healthy.
Remain Comfortable
Working from home can be as stressful as going to the office, and stress makes it hard to be productive. Therefore, it is important to find ways to stay comfortable.
- Add aromatherapy tools to your workspace to keep your mood and energy up.
- Use sativa cannabis strains to stay alert and relaxed (you can read more about those strains here).
- Consider using noise-canceling headphones.
- Create a comfortable workspace that is clean and organized.
You may also want to consider splurging a bit on a supportive office chair and comfortable desk if the space in your home permits.
