At the mention of the phrase "work from home," many immediately conjure the most bizarre ideas in their heads.
For them, working from home means sleeping at night without having to set the alarm, earning without having to worry about braving the harrowing Manila traffic, and saying yes to as many dinner invitations and get-togethers with friends. Many think that working from home means lounging on a beach chair, Macbook on your lap, cocktail in your hand.
For those who have no home-based work experience, the idea of working out of a home-based office may seem like such a laidback experience. It’s also easy to imagine that when one works from home, achieving work-life balance isn't such a long shot.
The truth is, while working from home certainly has its benefits, it’s not for everyone.
Whether you are a freelancer who works from home full-time or an entrepreneur who operates from a small home-based office, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of working from home before making it a part of your regular work process.
Working from Home: The Pros
Greater Flexibility – If you’re someone whose creativity reaches its peak during certain times, working from home is your best bet. You can create your workflow during your most productive hours, wearing your most comfortable clothes.
No Commute – Let’s face it, the commute can be the most stressful part of an office worker's day. Sometimes, the commute could even get more nerve-racking than the workload itself. Skipping the commute to and from the office can significantly reduce your stress level while saving you time and money.
Fewer Distractions – While it’s inevitable to encounter distractions at home, it’s comparably easier to control these than distractions that may come from co-workers and office-related noise.
Lower Stress Levels – When you work from home, you can easily take a break or assume a different chore once you start feeling particularly stressed out over a task.
Enhanced Work-Life Balance – As you have more time on your hands and the stress levels decrease considerably, it becomes easier to find and maintain work-life balance.
More Savings – Not only can you save cash by dodging the daily commute, but you can also write off a part of your office expenses such as food or coffee.
Working from Home: The Cons
It Can Get Lonely – If you’re someone who thrives on spending time alone, loneliness should not be a problem. However, if you derive energy from social interactions, you may find yourself feeling isolated.
You Tend to Overwork – For people who work from home, it can get harder to distinguish between work life and personal life. You may find it harder to shut down, so you tend to overwork.
You Need Plenty of Self-Discipline – While flexibility is one of the greatest perks of working from home, it can also be the enemy. Too much flexibility can make it harder to get up to work, or even to focus on the task before you.
You form fewer relationships and experiences – Working in an office puts you in a position where it’s easier to learn from your peers. Working from home means going out of your way to seek out further learning and networking opportunities on your own.
On top of these advantages and setbacks, you also need to consider the industry you’re in, the type of work you do, and the current conditions in your home. Will you have access to the equipment you need to complete the job? Does your home provide the right environment for work?
If you find out that working from home is not for you, you don’t have to fret. You can always find a company whose culture and values align with yours.
Are you up to the challenge of working with a diverse team of talented individuals who are experts in their own fields? Join our growing family at Truelogic! Get in touch with us today.
