I’ve talked about working remotely before and how it’s not always what you may think it is. I’m here to tell you the good and the bad when it comes to working remotely and how it changed my life. I have worked remotely for some years now, and it would be incredibly hard for me to go back to a corporate office type of environment. It has afforded me precious time to spend with my young son, to attend his school functions, and to spend time with family. Even taking my work on the road for trips.

What Is Working Remotely?

Working remotely, simply put, is working out of the office. You are not in a cubicle or office working at a job site. You are working from your home, a coffee shop, a hotel, a beach…you name it. Since the coronavirus hit, more and more people are having or getting to work from home!

5 Positives For Working Remotely

• No commute. No commute means less time wasted getting back and forth to work, fewer gas expenses, no traffic headaches. I know some friends who commute an HOUR to work one way every day. No thanks! It takes me about 10 seconds to get my office, with the occasional roadblock (my kid or my dog). No worries about snow or ice!
• No dress code. The only time I suggest you wear more business-like attire is during video conferencing meetings. Other than that, no one is judging you for wearing the same sweatpants three days in a row!
• Productivity. You’re thinking, wait, you can be productive at home? You sure can! You’re more relaxed at home in your space. You’ll find you get a lot more done than you expect. And when an idea strikes, guess what you just hop on your computer and jot it down.
• Remotely really means anywhere but the office. And I mean anywhere. I often take my laptop with me wherever I go. If I have time, I work. You can find me at home, at Starbucks, at the library, or at my parents’ house working. Why not? Keep your focus, and you’ll be fine.
• Discover more about yourself. You’ll find out more about yourself when you work remotely. Maybe you’ll discover you’re great at time management when on your own. Or you’re a great planner! Working remotely really gives you the chance to learn more about yourself, and it’s wonderful.
• Healthier. I am not exposed to the seasonal cold at work or have to worry about Covid-19 at my desk. I am safe in my home.

5 Areas of Working Remotely That Can Be Tough

• Distractions. I’ll be honest: this isn’t as bad as you think. Yes, the TV is on. Yes, your significant other may be home, and you might have kids at home too. But it’s all about setting boundaries and attempting to set a schedule. The best thing you can do is commandeer a place of your own. I have even known people to use a closet as their office so they have some sense of privacy.
• Lack of routine. This may or may not pertain to you too. With certain jobs, you don’t have the basic 9-5 hours. You may be literally able to work when you want. This can be a struggle getting started, but I promise you’ll figure it out. Make yourself a schedule or routine. It really helps.
• Work/life balance. Depending on what you do, this can be difficult. Since you can’t pack yourself up and leave the office at 5 pm, it may feel that you’re always on the job if an email or call comes in. A strong woman once told me not to be afraid to set boundaries with coworkers and clients. Be realistic, ask if something is urgent, and let them know when you can have that item to them. Just because you work remotely doesn’t mean you’re always on the job.
• Sick of being at home. I don’t personally have an issue with this, but for someone who may not be a homebody, this can be tough. Make it a point to go work at the local coffee shop every now and then to break the cycle.
• Technology is a must. Sometimes, the internet goes down, or something is not working. This can be super frustrating, but I can always head to a coffee shop or FREE wifi hotspot to plug in and get work done or go to a library to use their computer if I need to.

Working remotely doesn’t work for everyone. It’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all situation. For those who have the opportunity to try working remotely, try it! Working remotely has truly changed my life and my family’s life for the better.