Last week, we looked into why you should work remotely (the main reasons are five). Although remote work is great for most people, there are also negative sides of working remotely. We want you to make the right choice for you so this week we discuss the reasons why you should not work remotely.
1. It’s up to you to stay updated
Staying in the loop happens almost naturally when you work in a traditional workplace. However, when you work in a remote workplace, it’s your choice to read those emails and messages. Interacting with colleagues is also a choice when you work remotely. Lacking the same physical environment, the office small talk would not happen without someone initiating it. Some people are naturals at staying in the loop, but for others, it requires a conscious effort.
2. You have to create your social activities
When you work remotely, going to work is not a truly social activity (unless you work from a co-working space). Communicating with your colleagues is still there (including the small talk), but it doesn’t happen face to face. If you are an introvert, that level of communication can be sufficient and celebrated. But especially if you are an extrovert, you should consider how you would recharge socially. Something that many remote workers do is to join regular social activities, such as a sports club.
3. You have to be self-disciplined
Working remotely replaces the office distractions with another set of distractions. Your manager would not be in the room to remind you that watching Netflix is not a good way to spend your workday. If you have the self-discipline to organize your day and stay focused, then you shouldn’t have problems with this aspect of remote work. If not, you should try to find the solution that works best for you. For many, it’s easier to stay productive when there are clear boundaries between their work time and their leisure time. Examples include working from another place than your home or having small rituals such as dressing up formally for the time of the workday.
4. Danger of overworking
The danger of remote work is that you would do more hours than you should, not the other way around. When you work from the office, it’s clear when your workday has finished – you just see it when everyone else leaves the office. But when you work from home, there is the temptation to check your email or to finish that one last thing before switching off. There is no one to remind you that you have already done enough for the day. This is your own responsibility. Most people figure this out after a while – but still, it’s good to keep it in mind from the start. Remember that being successful at your job is a marathon, not a sprint.
Probably you have noticed the pattern: remote work gives you more freedom, but it’s up to you to use that freedom responsibly.
Do you want to work remotely?
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