Is Remote Work Right For You?

When most people think of remote work, their thoughts are often far from reality. Although finding a work from home job can change your life, it's not for everyone. It takes a certain type of person to enjoy a remote job and the lifestyle that comes with it. Find out whether or not remote work is right for you.

The Benefits of Working from Home

As you may already realize, a telecommuting position comes with many benefits. When you have a stay at home position, you reap all of the following benefits:

No Commute

When you work in an office, the commute could be the worst part of your day. But that is never the case when you work from home. You can wake up ten minutes before your shift starts, and still get to work on time. Depending on what your commute would be for a normal job, you could save hours each day. Working from 8:00am to 5:00am doesn't require you to start driving at 7:00am and get home at 6:00pm.

The lack of commute also means less stress. No matter where you live, rush hour traffic could be a nightmare. Between clogged lanes, aggressive drivers, and unexpected delays, your commute is probably very stressful. By cutting out your commute, you can prevent stress and anxiety.

Save Money

By working from home, you save quite a bit of money. The lack of commute means you don't need to pay for gas to get to work. Depending on your lifestyle, you might not even need a car. You get rid of a monthly car payment, as well as insurance. Without a commute, you could save hundreds of dollars each month on car-related expenses.

You also save money on food. Think about how much money you spend when you work in an office. A few mornings each week, you might stop into a cafe for a coffee. At lunch, a co-worker may invite you out to a restaurant or you could buy a sandwich. Being away from home for breakfast and lunch is expensive. By staying home, you save money on food.

Finally, you save money by limiting your wardrobe. Sure, you may want to buy a few new pairs of sweatpants. But you don't need to buy suits and other formal clothing on a frequent basis. You won't wear out your dress shoes or need to spend money on new accessories.

More Flexibility

Although this isn't true of all work from home jobs, many of the positions offer more flexibility. On your lunch break, you can spend time with your spouse. If you need to pick up your kids from school, you can leave to do that. Certain jobs allow you to be in charge of your whole schedule. If you want to start work at noon and finish at night, you may be able to do that.

Disadvantages of Working from Home

Of course, nothing is perfect. Working from home isn't right for everyone, as there are some challenges that come with at-home jobs. All of the following could be a reason that working from home isn't right for you:

Hard to Escape Work

If you have a work from home job with a flexible schedule, it could be difficult to escape from work. You might not manage your time well and be left working late into the night or on the weekend. When your work is home with you, it's hard to truly get away from the job.

There are ways you can avoid this problem. Instead of working whenever you can, set boundaries. Don't answer your phone on the weekend, or don't let yourself work past 6 pm. If you aren't strict about your working hours, you may end up constantly working.

Need the Technology

Most work from home jobs require some technology. You probably need a quality computer, a good internet connection, and a hi-tech smartphone. If you don't have the right equipment for the job, you will need to invest in it.

For some people, investing in technology isn't a possibility. Unfortunately, most legitimate work at-home positions don't offer to pay for your technology. Consider whether or not you have the technology to get the job done.

Need the Space

Do you have pets, kids, or other people in your home? If so, it's essential that you have the space to work from home. You need to be able to get away from the noise and chaos.

If you don't have a dedicated office in your home, where will you work? It's crucial to set up an office space. You might be able to use a bedroom, closet, or garage. But if you can't find a place to set up shop, you won't be able to work from home. The constant distractions and noise will keep you from being successful.

Difficult to Remain Focused

When you're on your own at home, it can be tough to maintain focus on work. It's easy for a five minute break to turn into an hour long home improvement project. Laundry, cleaning, and home repairs often lure people from their duties.

If you're easily distracted, you need to find ways to keep yourself from losing focus. This could mean using a timer for breaks and meals, or having a strict schedule. You'll need to learn to ignore distractions, or you won't get your work done.

Less Socializing

Very social people often struggle to work from home. When you're in the workplace, you're surrounded by people. You can spend some time each day talking to co-workers and fulfilling your social needs.

When you're home all day, you don't get that opportunity. It's you, and no one else. After a few days of working from home, you could crave socialization.

Which One is Right for You?

Working from home isn't for everyone, but it can be an incredible experience. If you think you're ready to take the plunge and work from home, start looking for a new job. It could only be a matter of time before you get started.