If you’ve ever dabbled in moonlighting or working the occasional odd job on the side while managing the day-job that pays your basic expenses and you are one of the ones who are currently telecommuting instead of having to get yourself to and from work every day or a recipient of ongoing unemployment, you may be noticing a silver lining to this pandemic and realizing the benefits of remote work.
For those Americans who are more ambitious, they are riding the pandemic train and making the best of the opportunities that have sprung up along the way. Certainly, there are worse things that could happen, and these people are avoiding contracting the coronavirus, while they pursue other endeavors.
The most enterprising who normally would have other irons in the fire are continuing to participate or offer their a la carte services on-the-side. Others are taking advantage of the pandemic lockdown to seek out new opportunities, to engage their latent entrepreneurism, or to expand their education.
You could wallow in depression about being on lockdown and restricted from engaging in activities like you might have before March of 2020 like many of your peers or you could be capitalizing on the increased bandwidth and seize the opportunities which would otherwise be laying dormant all around you.
Regardless, whether you are cashing in on the extra time that is available to you (at least 10 hours a week for remote workers, and much more for others who are on the dole) there are many benefits of remote work, such as,
You Are the Master of Your Work Environment
It is empowering to designate, create, and decorate your own workspace to perfectly suit your style and level of comfort without having to accommodate others. When you are working from home, you can set up your desk and work area the way you like. Hang the pictures you want, have your favorite plants around you, listen to your favorite music while you work, there is essential very few limits, except for the possible accommodations which might include an appropriate backdrop when teleconferencing.
More Cash in Your Pocket
The first thing that comes to mind is the savings in your travel expenses to and from work, that’s a given, but there are many other areas where you will be able to see the difference in your bank account. You will find savings in wardrobe and makeup costs, lunch, and designer coffee expenses, and other surprising areas as you continue to work remotely.
Increased Focus
Probably the biggest influencer of the increased performance of those who work remotely compare to those who still have to slave away at the office. While you might initially think there would be more distractions at home, it turns out that when you are working in an effective environment from home, you can focus on tasks far more effectively, and this is likely teleworkers outperform in house office workers by up to thirty percent or more. It turns out there are far more distractions in an office setting throughout the day, usually due to casual interactions with other staff and/or management.
Professional Growth
Remote workers are becoming more fiercely independent as they cannot lean on their coworker’s support as readily (of course, your team is there if you need to reach out to them) but they are far more likely to problem-solve intuitively or on-the-fly. This is building a skillset of professional excellence that might have eluded you in a traditional office setting.
Unparalleled Flexibility
As the master of your own schedule, you can flex your hours to fit your lifestyle. You would play hell trying to get away with this very often restricted to an office environment, but when you are working from home or telecommuting, you have the ability to make adjustments, to take your child to the doctor or pick up essential items at the store during normal work hours, then make up for it in the evening or on the weekend.
And your break times? You can do whatever you like. (Try to get away with that at the office.) I will let you ponder the endless possibilities.
Your Office Location is Fluid
Your remote workstation could be anywhere you are, as long as you have an Internet connection. You can work from your car, your mother-in-law’s house, a restaurant, Internet café, coworking space, the waiting room of the doctor’s office, just about anywhere you and your laptop could be. This is an incredible amount of freedom and liberty to have, even considering current pandemic restrictions. Take advantage of being able to basically work in the field and spread your wings.
Instant Communication
While you might have felt awkward texting, Facebook messaging, or face timing coworkers at the office, if you are working remotely, it is part and parcel of regular everyday activities. You do not have to wait until your next scheduled break. When you get the idea, shoot off a text. It is okay.
Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing platforms like Zoom are seeing explosive growth with the expansion of telework during the pandemic. Virtual meetings are far more superior to traditional office meetings. They can be conducted in far less time consumed, and save on other valuable resources, like printing expenses. Plus, you can participate from the comfort of your own home, and pants are optional.
These are just a few of the most impressive benefits of remote work.