The Truth About Working From Home: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
I’ve been working from home on and off for about two years now, and I’ve learned a lot about it. There’s a lot online on working from home, as everyone has a different experience.
While seemingly glamorous (and it certainly can be sometimes), there are also some things to keep in mind if you are thinking about working from home or have started and are having a hard time.
The Good
I’m not going to lie; overall, I love working from home. Now that I’ve worked out the kinks, it works for me. And here’s why.
Make your own schedule
Depending on what you’re doing from home, often times you’re able to schedule your time as you wish. Since exercise is a huge part of my life, that means I get to essentially schedule my entire day around the class schedule at my gym.
Work, well, anywhere
Most of those of us who work from home simply need an Internet connection. That means you can hit the closest wifi cafe and voila! Java and Internet: two of the most important ingredients for work to be done!
The Bad
There’s plenty of good, but there is some bad.
You have to get your own social interaction
It’s easy to get caught up in work at stuck at home all day. When I first started working from home, I found one of the biggest issues I had was the fact that I didn’t get out of the house enough.
Forcing yourself to get dressed, out the door, and to a cafe, I’ve found, is critical to not only feeling like you’re apart of the working world, but to maintain some sense of social skills!
You have to be self-motivated
It’s easy to get lazy at home…or to get focused on work instead of things that need to get done around the house. Working from home isn’t for everyone if you aren’t self-motivated to get your work done. Simple as that.
The Ugly
And then there’s the ugly.
It’s lonely sometimes
If you don’t get out of your house, it’s easy to start feeling lonely. There’s an element of camaraderie in an office.
The fix? Make in-person meetings, join networking groups, and meet friends for lunch or just a coffee. It’ll make a world of difference.
Your pajamas become your new power suit
You’re probably seeing the trend: being stuck at home can lead to some bad habits.
The fix? Once again, get out of the house! Get up at a decent hour, shower, and get dressed just like you were going into the office. The normality of simply getting ready will get you inspired and ready for the day in no time.
What are your best tips and tricks for working from home?