The workforce is changing. With advancements in technology, it's now easier than ever to work from anywhere in the world. Some of you work from the comfort of your RV, putting in the hours, crushing it at work, and still having time to explore the country? Pretty remarkable, right? There is plenty of example of this on TikTok; just look at Adrian Brambila.
This blog post will discuss seven simple things that will help make your transition to remote work smoother. We’ll also take a look at some of the benefits of working remotely and share some tips on making the most of this type of arrangement. So if you’re thinking about taking your career in a new direction, read on!
What is remote work, you ask?
If you are considering remote work, you should know a few things. First of all, what is remote work? Remote work is defined as any job where the employee works from home or another location outside the office. This can include jobs like(but not limited to) customer service reps, web developers, writers, and more. Heck, I was an Account Manager for almost a year and a half, and the entire time I worked from home.
There are plenty of reasons why someone would want to work remotely. Still, the most common one is probably the flexibility it offers. This flexibility is a huge perk since, for starters, no more commuting to and from work. Being stuck in traffic for hours at the end of a long workday can have made anyone go mental, so remote work is definitely for you if you can avoid that by working from home. Additionally, you have more control over your schedule. You can work the hours that fit best with your lifestyle. You can also take work with you on vacation or work from bed (if that’s your thing). Additionally, remote workers often have more control over their hours and better manage their time.
Is remote work right for you?
Now that we know what remote work is let’s explore if it’s right for you. First of all, ask yourself if you would be able to stay motivated without an office structure. If you need to be around people to remain focused, remote work is probably not for you. However, if you are self-motivated and disciplined, working remotely could be a great fit. An excellent way to get your feet wet and take the whole “work from home gig” for a spin is to try freelancing.
This will give you a good idea of what it’s like to work from home and if you can handle having human interaction reduced down to…wait for it. Just you. On the upside, team meetings and huddles will be faster than ever.
It’s also important to consider your lifestyle and whether or not working from home is a viable option. If you have kids or pets, for example, you’ll want to make sure that you have a designated workspace that is pet and kid-proof. On that note, it’s a good rule of thumb to make your workspace uniquely designed to help you focus and eliminate distractions.
We will explore what an ideal office space should look like in a later blog post, but for now, let’s focus on the benefits of remote work.
What are the benefits of working remotely?
There are plenty of benefits of working remotely. Still, the three main ones are increased productivity, improved work/life balance, and cost savings. Let’s dive into each of these benefits a little bit further.
When you work remotely, you control your environment and can design it in a way that helps you be more productive. For example, if you know that you work better in the morning, you can start your day earlier and get a jump on things. Like to work out to clear your head before getting started with work? No problem! Working remotely allows you to design your day in a way that works best for you and helps you be your most productive self. More on the benefits of working out here.
In addition to increased productivity, working remotely can also lead to improved work/life balance. Picture this, you have a family, and you want to spend more time with them, but you also need to earn a living. With remote work, you can have the best of both worlds! You can work from home while spending time with your family, help with dinner prep, and boom, you become parent and spouse of the year without skipping a beat. I always wondered how Clark Kent could be Superman and still make time for Lois Lane, and now I get it.
Lastly, let’s talk about cost savings. When you work remotely, you don’t need to spend money on things like office attire, lunch out, or as much on gas. You can also work from anywhere in the world, which means you could theoretically save on living expenses by relocating to a cheaper city or country.
This doesn’t mean you should just wear a shirt and tie and skip wearing pants on the company Zoom call.
Is a remote job more productive?
Now ask yourself this. Are you the type of person that follows through with their New Year’s resolutions? Are you dedicated and follow through when you set goals for yourself? If you answered yes to both of these questions, remote work might be a good fit.
When it comes to productivity, working remotely has increased employee output by 13%. In addition, employees who work from home are less likely to take sick days and more likely to stay with their company longer than those who don’t work remotely. This is likely because remote workers feel more in control of their lives and less stressed, both of which positively impact productivity.
While working from home may not be for everyone, it can be an excellent fit for self-motivated and disciplined. The next time you are considering a job change, or if you are just curious about what remote work is all about, be sure to keep these benefits in mind.
What do I need to learn to work remotely?
Alright, since you made it this far, you are probably at least a little bit interested in remote work. But what exactly do you need to know to get started? Let’s break it down to the office basics.
First, you need to be proficient in the use of technology. This means working with a variety of software programs, communicating through various channels (email, Trello, Slack, Zoom, etc.), and having excellent problem-solving skills.
Second, you should have superb time management skills. When you are working remotely, there is no one to tell you when to take a break or when it is time to stop for the day. This means it is up to you to manage your time wisely and stay on task.
Lastly, you need to be sure to make your office space comfortable and inviting, with everything you need to get the job done. This may include a desk, chair, lamp, computer, phone, camera, and whatever else you may need. Food for thought having some inspiration around you can help with creativity, so don’t forget to add personal touches to your office space. Check out Etsy, Pinterest, or your favorite home decor store for some ideas.
And play some music if that gets you going!
What jobs can not be done remotely?
With technology becoming more and more advanced, very few jobs cannot be done from a remote location. Even jobs traditionally required being in an office, such as customer service or sales, can now be done remotely.
There are a few exceptions to this, such as jobs that require special equipment or on-site training. Still, for the most part, if you have the right skills and are comfortable working remotely, you can find a remote job in almost any field.
Heck, with the metaverse widening access to remote work, more and more in-person occupations are becoming available remotely.
What are the pros of working remotely?
Healthier work-life balance, more productivity, less stress can save on living expenses. There are many advantages to working remotely, but these are the most common.
When you work remotely, you can create your own schedule and take breaks when you need them. This can lead to a healthier work-life balance, as you are not tied to a traditional nine-to-five schedule. In addition, studies have shown that remote workers are more productive than their office-bound counterparts.
When it comes to work-life balance, remote workers have more control over their time and are less likely to experience burnout. This is because they can take breaks when they need to and don’t have to commute to and from an office. And lastly, remote work can save you money on living expenses. You can often live cheaper when you are not tied to a specific location.
What are the cons of working remotely?
Lack of social interaction can be lonely, may miss out on company culture. Though there are many benefits to working remotely, there are a few drawbacks.
The most significant disadvantage to working remotely is the lack of social interaction. When you work in an office, you have the opportunity to chat with your coworkers and build relationships. When you work remotely, you miss out on this social interaction. This can be a big downside for people who crave human interaction and build relationships with their coworkers.
Did you know:
- The number of remote workers has increased by 140% since 2005
- 82% of telecommuters say they would be more productive in a home office environment
- 61% of employees would switch jobs for the ability to work remotely full-time
Sum it up
So, if you consider working remotely, there are a few things you should know. First, remote work can offer many benefits, such as a healthier work-life balance, more productivity, and less stress.
Second, to make the most of your remote job, you need to be comfortable managing your own time and have superb time management skills. And lastly, there are a few downsides to working remotely, such as the lack of social interaction and the potential for feeling isolated.
But overall, if you are looking for a more flexible work arrangement that allows you to take control of your time and work from anywhere, then remote work may be right for you!
We’re going to change the world! I know it may sound lofty, but this effort toward empowerment, education, and inspiration is something that needs your help. It might even give you a little inspiration on what we can achieve when working together as one team towards our goals.
So please share our article with friends/family members who could benefit from reading it. The first step usually isn’t easy; however, thanks for being part of my journey, and keep in mind that the best is yet to come.
Share your advice in the comments section below. What other advice do you have for those looking to start a workout routine? Let us know in the comments below! This has been “Are you considering remote work? 7 Simple things you should know.” I hope it was helpful.
References:
- “Remote Work Is Here to Stay: BDC Study.” BDC.ca, https://www.bdc.ca/en/about/mediaroom/news-releases/remote-work-here-stay-bdc-study.
- FlexJobs Job Search Tips and Blog. 2022. Remote Work Statistics: Navigating the New Normal | FlexJobs. [online] Available at: <https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/remote-work-statistics/> [Accessed 9 March 2022].
- 2022. [online] Available at: <https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/whats-next-for-remote-work-an-analysis-of-2000-tasks-800-jobs-and-nine-countries> [Accessed 9 March 2022].
Most of the things you point out happens to be supprisingly legitimate and it makes me ponder the reason why I had not looked at this in this light previously. Your article really did turn the light on for me personally as far as this issue goes. Nicely done.
Glad to help, but not sure I follow when you are referring to “the light” mind elaborating, please.