The 10 Best Things about Working from Home
My husband had his doubts when I took a work-from-home job. I also had my apprehensions. After all, for the last nearly five years I commuted into an office. I’d never had a work-from-home position, so it seemed like new ground, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
I’m now over a month in and let me just say: working from home is incredible.
It’s one of the things I like best about my job.
Now, let me say that part of why it works is because my company is very intentional about connecting and we have multiple Skype/RingCentral meetings every day and are constantly chatting each other, asking questions, and sharing tips and encouragement. Honestly, I’ve never been so connected in a job. Who knew!
But yet, for an introvert, it is simply perfection. I love connecting, interacting, and getting to know people, but I also love being able to be with just myself when the video conference ends. It’s so true that introverts recharge by being alone--which means that I’m much more able to be on my A-game when I am in meetings or talking with clients.
I’ve also realized that for me personally, working from home was an absolutely natural transition. I was homeschooled for much of my education and even took many online courses in college so, although I didn’t think about how this would be a perfect precursor to working from home, it completely was. It seemed like I had gone back to my happy place--an environment where I do my best work.
In my first “real” job I had a cubicle, so that was mostly fine. As long as I can have some at least semi-closed-off space, I can maintain a high level of productivity and focus (and I needed to--I was writing a TON). My second “real” job, however, I was in an open office. While it was nice to easily talk to coworkers, I have never been less productive. It was so tough to concentrate on anything substantial. I can attest that productivity decreases significantly in this environment, likely for people of any personality, but especially for introverts. Even if no one was talking, I was constantly on edge, waiting for someone to burst into my thought processes. I could go on and on about this. Suffice it to say, the open office plan is a virtual nightmare for introverts and a productivity killer at its finest. All my extroverted friends, I love you and the world 100 percent needs you and your skills and personalities, but I guarantee it’s only extroverts who implement open office plans.
Okay, off my soapbox. Now, what really is so great about working from home?
Maximum efficiency
Since I’m at home, whenever I am in front of my computer, I’m actually working! After all, why would I ever sit at my computer staring at the screen waiting for time to pass and the workday to be done when I can take a bathroom, tea, coffee, snack, walk, or chore break mostly on my own time, as long as I’m not in a meeting or deep in a project? There are little lulls in most jobs, at least on some days, so now I’m able to maximize my time each day. I take tiny breaks throughout the day rather than one longer break at lunch. This helps me focus so much better when I am in front of my computer screen. And no one is judging me for getting up from my desk more often. In fact, since I work for a physical therapy marketing agency, we are encouraged to stretch our bodies every couple hours! This also makes time fly because when I’m at my desk I feel happy, healthy, and engaged in my work.
Eating healthier
I can’t tell you how many times I left for work and forgot to take meat out of the freezer to thaw out in time for dinner. Not having dinner ingredients ready to go when I got home often meant that I opted for something quick and easy and most often not as healthy as what I was originally planning on. Now, since I’m home, I can use my lunch break or a coffee or bathroom break to take a quick detour to the kitchen to make sure dinner ingredients are ready to go for the evening.
Never forgetting your lunch again
You know it’s happened. More than once probably. You’re driving to work and you have that sinking feeling when you realize your lunch is sitting on the counter at home where you left it. No more to that!
Less waste
I always brought my own mug to work and left it there as my “work mug” anyway, but I’d still use paper plates, utensils, and other items every day. That adds up to a lot of trash. Now I use my own dishes and I get to enjoy my fairly good-sized mug collection.
No more commute
My first corporate job was only a few miles down the road, and it was downtown, and I had a free parking garage spot, so I really didn’t mind the commute, but my second corporate job was in what I would describe as the worst of suburbia mixed with industrial park hell. Plus, I had to choose between the toll road or a nearly 30-minute drive. Let me just say, I DON’T MISS THAT COMMUTE ONE BIT. My commute is now about 10 steps!
Saving on gas/wear and tear to car
I haven’t gotten gas this entire month. Granted, we sometimes use my husband’s car, but still, for the most part I dislike driving, so any day I can do what I have to do and be where I need to be without a car is amazing. There’s something about getting in a steel box every day and going somewhere you don’t particularly want to go that will kill your soul like nothing else. Plus, I’m all for walking and biking whenever possible. And a little less car exhaust in the world is definitely a positive too.
Being able to personalize your office space
All of my coworkers also work from home, so it is so fun to see what kind of space everyone has. Some people have actual offices, some use their bedrooms, a living room, their kitchens, wherever works for them. I use a sunroom off of our master bedroom. It has been so fun to make it my own space with pictures, plants, a bulletin board with work documents, postcards, and other paraphernalia, and a beautiful new desk--a gift from my sweet husband.
Having time to really zone in and focus
I alluded to this in the intro, but being at home with no distractions from others is so good for my soul. I am highly aware of myself and other people, so it’s very difficult for me to focus if other people are talking, the TV is on, someone has a video or music on, or people are simply chatting in the hallway. Personal connection is wonderful and good and I certainly want to prioritize relationships with my coworkers, but being in my own space feels like a much more controlled environment in which I am able to attain the deep focus I need, especially for in-depth projects or anything involving writing and stringing thoughts together.
Personal dance party on your breaks
(I promise I only do this on Friday afternoons). Seriously, though, happiness levels=100 percent, which will make you love your job even more.
Not having to go home to let your dog out
So we don’t yet have a dog, but rumor has it we are getting one soon, and it should be coming at the perfect time--when I am here at home, able to take the dog out for a bathroom break or for a walk. I can’t wait!
If you work from home I’d love to hear why you love (or hate) it! If you work in an office what do you like about it and what do you dislike? How much of your likes and dislikes do you think depend on your personality and your work style?
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