Not everyone is cut out for working from home.
As much as I love to work from home, it works for me only because I like the remote lifestyle. The flexibility and freedom I get from online work is something that I value the most. Of course, the income part is great; I earn a full-time income working part-time on my blog.
I have friends who work from home a couple of days a week for their 9–5 jobs, and they get stressed out in just a day.
According to statistics, more than 80% of companies are leaning toward work-at-home options, and with this rising trend in remote work, you must be considering this option.
But will working from home suit you? I am sure you must have asked this question or have at least wondered about it.
Online work might look very good, but it is not suitable for everyone, and today’s post is all about that.
I will share some things that you should consider before you take the leap into this flexible work arrangement.
Please remember, I am not discouraging you from working from home. You need to assess if you are the work-at-home type and if it will fit your lifestyle before you take up a WAH job/side hustle.
Are you ready to start working from home? Find out from the tips below.
Like the Commute
I know the thought of dragging yourself out of bed in the morning, dressing up, and going through the long commute is dreaded by many. But there are some who love this whole process. I have friends and family who love the energetic feeling of commuting to work.
It does have some benefits like being active and obviously human interaction. If this is you, then working from home might not be your cup of tea.
There is no commute when you work from home, so getting up and being disciplined about your day-to-day activities is entirely a voluntary act rather than a need. Some remote jobs/hustles do not require you to be at home. They may be the perfect fit for someone who is looking for some social interaction and who loves a bit of travel.
Related:
How to Search for Your First Work-at-Home Job
How to Find a Job: 10 Smart Ways to Search for Real Online Jobs
45 Best Side Jobs from Home to Supplement Your Income
Need the Social Interaction
Speaking of social interaction, do you love the chitchat during office breaks? Do you relish going out for coffee with your colleagues? If you said yes to that, then working from home is a sure no-no for you.
The most significant factor you need to consider when working from home is, unfortunately, loneliness. Working from home includes a lot of alone time. No peers and minimal social interaction. I know it is hard for some to handle this, but this environment is great for many people to be more productive.
Sometimes office politics and workspace tension can affect your work a lot, and this is entirely missing when you work from home. Though in some remote jobs, you can interact with your team through online platforms, but this is usually minimal. Jobs like online tutoring and virtual assisting can give you good social interaction.
Not a Self-Starter
This is probably the primary factor you need to consider when starting an online job. Most remote jobs have the topmost requirement of being a self-starter. You need to be motivated to work on your projects without much help.
Though you will be getting some support from your company, you will always be working by yourself. So these arrangements require you to be extremely proactive and self-taught.
If you are not a driven person or need some team environment to do that, then you should think twice before taking up a work-at-home job.
Hard to Balance Family and Work
A lot of people give up on the idea of working from home because it is hard to balance family and work at the same time.
It is understandable; you don’t have a strict line between work and family time when you are working remotely.
Though it becomes better with time, if you are someone who has very young kids or has a noisy home, then it might be tough for you manage working from home.
That does not mean you cannot work from home; some jobs do not require you to be on the phone, and some jobs require you to work at night.
If you cannot handle having family around and working at the same time, then this might not be for you.
Don’t Crave Flexibility
If you are not a big fan of flexible work options, then you do not need to work from home. Working from home is all about flexibility. Ninety percent of people start to work from home because they want a more flexible working arrangement.
I get to work whenever I can with my work-at-home job or my blog. That was a major factor for me when I chose to work from home. If you love working hectic schedules and are not bothered by strict work timings, then working from home is not for you.
Love to Be in the Limelight
I have never been interested in climbing the corporate ladder. The 9–5 grind was never appealing to me because I was never interested in that race. And this made me a perfect candidate for a work-at-home job.
If you perform well in a corporate setting then working from home will not be exciting for you. Though in some WAH jobs, you might get the perks of a 9–5 job like getting promoted, getting raises, etc., most work-at-home jobs are not great for power-hungry people.
I have been working from home for eight years, and I can say for sure, it is not for everyone. You need a lot of self-discipline, organization skills, and be proactive to successfully work from home, whether it is a job or a side hustle.
If you do think your personality is suited to working from home, then check out these most wanted work-at-home jobs for beginners.
Are you thinking of working from home? Have you thought about these reasons why you might not be suited to it?
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This is what I’m scared about when I shift from the corporate world to working from home. I’m scared I won’t be able to focus more because of the family. Anyways, I’ll try to slowly shift and see how it will work. Anyways, you have a great point, Sireesha. Cheers to you 🙂
Hi Kyla,
The shift is scary for sure in the start but things do become easier. I am glad you liked the post!