Making the Most of Remote Working
Over the last three years, the vast majority of us got to experience the extremes of remote work, so you may assume that you understand what it looks like post-lockdowns. You might find more to like about it than you felt three years ago, though!
Who Can Work Remotely?
More people than you think! The sudden and long-term lockdowns for COVID made us realize that being in the office is not as important as we once thought. With the popularization of apps like Zoom, collaboration with your team is possible across time zones and borders. If your job does not require non-portable equipment, specialized supplies, or specifically in-person requirements, you could probably work remotely.
Why Would You Want to Work Remotely?
Some larger companies have been pushing back at work-from-home trends by requiring their employees to come back into the office full-time. Recently, Twitter made headlines for requiring all employees to come back in immediately or forfeit their jobs. Some companies explain that their company culture would be negatively impacted by employees working remotely, although studies have shown that people are noticeably happier and more productive when they are not required to come into the office. That said, there are a lot of benefits to working remotely, and there are still a lot of companies that recognize the value of it.
The largest benefit that comes from remote work is the flexibility. While some jobs do require specific hours, lots of jobs can come with the choice of when to start and when to take breaks. On top of that, you have the freedom to choose where to work. While we at projectY would highly recommend coworking spaces, you could prefer your home office, the great outdoors, or anywhere with solid wifi and a quiet ambiance.
You can usually wear what you want. For Zoom meetings, you can throw on a nicer shirt, but otherwise you are free to choose from your workout clothes, your pajamas, or anything that makes you comfortable.
You can adapt your work-life balance to work for you. Need to take your kids to school? Have an appointment? Maybe you just have a really comfy couch? Easily done when your work can be from anywhere and paused as needed.
You don’t have to take off work to travel. With remote work, your office is anywhere you and your laptop are.
The Possible Downsides of Remote Work
More freedom means more control over your own schedule, so watch out for some signs that you may be overworking yourself. I recommend keeping a log of your hours, even if you’ve never had to before.
Give yourself reasons to leave the house. Staying inside all day works for some people, but most of us need to get out and interact with people. Isolation can sneak up on you, as it has millions of Americans. A simple solution to this is joining a coworking community, but there are lots of ways to find community.
The Simple Truth
The difference between routine and monotony, flexibility and lack of structure is a matter of perspective. If you find yourself with a job that is mostly based on a computer, you can likely work remotely if you wanted to. If you find yourself distracted at home or unable to be as productive as you use to be in the office, tour a coworking space. This industry is built around people like you, who don’t want to force themselves to choose between their home life and their work.
