You’ve probably heard a lot about remote work lately. Many people, and companies, are embracing the idea of working from home. It sounds like a great deal, right? Companies can reduce their overhead by hiring only a team of remote workers who can remain connected through technology. But just because you can, does it mean you should? Here are some things to consider about remote work to make the right decision for your career.
Prioritize Your Day
The single most important thing you can do if you’re working remotely is to prioritize. What do you have to accomplish for the day? Do you have set hours or is your work more flexible? Be sure, regardless of distractions, that you’re able to focus on the work at hand a accomplish what you need to in a timely and complete manner.
That said, some people crave more structure than working from home will give them. And that’s completely okay. You may need to have an office environment and a dedicated schedule to stay focused.
Set Boundaries
Working from home is full of distractions. If you have children or pets, they can be a big part of that. Or maybe it’s just the small things around the house that call your name. You may be distracted by laundry or cleaning. Or maybe you feel the pull of your sofa and TV in the afternoon when you should be working.
It’s okay if these distractions are too much for you to resist. If you’re not able to remain on task at home, it may be worth it to you to return to an office environment.
Avoid Isolation
Working from home is also an isolating activity. You don’t have coworkers and the most interaction you get from others is through online chats or the occasional phone calls. Some people mitigate this by going to work at a coffee shop, but that offers other distractions as well.
If you would rather have coworkers around, working in an office may be a better choice for your long-term career path.
Make Time For Yourself
Lastly, when working from home you need to make time for yourself. That doesn’t mean you can watch TV for four hours in the afternoon, but it means you need to figure out the separation between your work time and your life.
Don’t allow yourself to work late into the evening unless you’re specifically scheduled to work in the evening hours. Just because you can and have your office at home doesn’t mean you’re expected to work beyond your scheduled hours.
Find A More Rewarding Career in DC with NRI Staffing
Are you looking for remote work versus a job in an office environment? Talk to the team at NRI Staffing, a leading staffing agency in Washington DC, today to find the right fit for you.
