Working at Home Vs. a Traditional Job
Working from home definitely has its perks but just like every other job, there are pros and cons that need to be considered before jumping into it. Whether you are working remotely for a bigger corporation or you have started your own business out of your spare bedroom, when it comes to working at home vs. a traditional job there are a few things to consider before taking the leap. Let’s talk about them!
Time
Working from home will almost always allow you to spend more time with your family. Most of the remote work that is offered by companies is that which can be done on a computer & submitted electronically, or via an online workspace. By having all the tools you need already on your home computer, you won’t have to invest much time in training since you are probably already pretty confident with the computer. If you are working from home for your own business venture, you may have even more flexibility — My coaching business, for example, can be run entirely via my iPhone; and most days it is! 🙂
Distractions
Working for a corporate giant at their location has a few perks. You’re there only to work, so there are minimal distractions…Save for the occasional checking up on Facebook (ahem, don’t lie, you know you do it). When you work from home, you need to do your best to create the most productive space possible. Being able to spend more time with your family can be a blessing and a curse. It’s nice to spend time with them, but you really have to commit to actually working some days and that is probably the hardest – Especially if you are starting your own business! You have to be willing to sacrifice time here and there, but it will still likely be much more flexible than a typical Monday-Friday 8am-5pm position. It will all be worth it in the end!
Freedom
The words “business casual dress code” come to mind when you think of working for someone else, right? It is enough to make anyone’s skin crawl thinking about pressed pants, dresses, button-ups, and blouses EVERY day. When you work from home, you set not only your own dress code, but you set your own hours too. You can do your work at any time of the day (or night!). That is, of course, if you don’t have a deadline or run a time-sensitive business. Most of the time, I wear my pajamas or comfy workout gear around the house when working my business. On days when I plan to record a training video for my team, or a video to post in my clients’ wellness support group, I will take more care to “dress up” a little bit — at least above the waist, haha! I may still be wearing PJ bottoms!
The freedoms that come with working from home can easily outweigh the few cons that come with it. If you want to work any hours you want, when you want, you have a few things to consider. When considering working from home vs. a traditional job, think about your time, distraction level, and the many freedoms that come with it. Do you work from home currently? Have you thought about starting your own home business? Let’s talk about it!
I work from home as well. The distraction I can count on daily is from my dogs. It’s not a suprise that they will need something, but I never know when the need will strike.
I’m a huge fan of working from home! I think it beats the traditional job any day. And, not gonna lie, the casual dress just might be the best part. I work better when I’m dressed more relaxed instead of all dressed up.
Lol, I was just talking with a friend today about having to look nice – at least from the waist up. 🙂 There is a lot of freedom working from home. The only other con I would add, is for us extroverts, it can get lonely. With all my clients online and then doing social media, I have to remember to take time out for face to face interaction with people (outside of my kids and husband). Some days it feels hard to fit it in with all the endless work of having my own business, but it’s a necessity. Got coffee with a friend today. . .feeling refreshed and ready to finish my week well. 🙂
I think you have to be a self disciplined person to work from home. Someone who is self generating and can create their own structure.
I work from home part of the time and have an office elsewhere. The combination works well for me. I get lots done at home the first few hours and then head to the office. Honestly I think I would miss the interaction with others if I was full time at home
I work from anywhere other than home as I am hopelessly distracted at home with chores or Telly! I do love that I have the flexibility though. I am writing this in a hotel bar as we speak and have poilished of a pot of tea and scone just before hand, another down side is the food 🙁
Great to see this post, happily sharing!
Drive is another one… if you can stay motivated to get done when things need to get done are another one. Some folks just aren’t meant to do it because they can’t.
Great tips… it’s not always what it’s cracked up to be… you know, in between eating bon bons. urgh
I’ve been working from home for the past 10 years and wouldn’t trade it for anything. Nowadays, there are so many online opportunities for people to be in this situation, and it’s just continuing to grow. Thank God! But, working from home is for people have a natural tendency to be focused, not becoming too distracted.
Some advice I would give is that if you are going to work from home, YOU NEED TO CREATE YOUR OWN OFFICE. Your bedroom shouldn’t be your office. Your hallway shouldn’t be your office. Your living room shouldn’t be your office. Preferably, a room with a door and window is adequate.
PROS:
* I don’t have a boss breathing down my neck about things that don’t affect my productivity (work attire, text messaging, taking breaks, eating at my desk, etc.)
* I don’t waste my precious time in traffic or worrying about the stress of traffic (big one).
* I don’t use any gas. One tank of gas lasts me about 2 to 3 weeks.
* Most of the time, the house is clean at the end of the day.
* I don’t need to be told to get my work done.
* I can wear whatever I want.
* I make my own schedule.
* I can take care of my family’s needs at the same time (which is the top priority here).
* I don’t have to deal with any office or political drama at work.
* I can focus so much better.
* I create my own environment.
* If I’m working for a company, they don’t have to pay for my office space.
* I have no restrictions on when I can make doctor/car/lunch appointments, etc.
* I ACTUALLY GET A LUNCH BREAK that can be more than 30 minutes (which most jobs only allow).
* I don’t have to get a mandatory flu shot.
* I don’t have to go to nonproductive meetings or department birthday parties (or feel obligated to donating for other peoples’ baby showers, etc… )
* Eating lunch costs way less!
CONS
* Can feel a little socially isolated, a.k.a. cabin fever.
(That’s about it for the cons!)
For most people who work from home, it is hard to go back and work outside the home. I wouldn’t want it any other way. It allows me to go out after work and enjoy being out because I don’t have to come home and cook dinner or do chores. My social life consists of people who I don’t work with. My social life consists of parties that don’t include mandatory pizza celebrations for those high-performance gallop survey results.
It’s wonderful and I recommend it. It’s really a great opportunity and we should have been doing this all along!
Great writeup. There are certain benefits to each. I actually do both. As a psychotherapist I have an office but I also have a home office where I am able to perform telehealth. It’s incredible to wake up, shower, stretch and log on and get to work. Then when done…no transport time. I absolutely love the benefits of my comfortable home space.