Your alarm clock goes off. You roll over to your side table and turn it off. Still in your PJs, you get up and turn your laptop on. You log into work while you fix yourself a bowl of cereal and some fruit. You get cracking on your projects, first at your desk, then on your couch, then in the hammock that's swaying in your backyard. Then, at the end of the day, you close your laptop and get on with the "life" part of your work-life balance.
Sounds like a pretty good deal, right? Well, if you ask anyone who works from home, they'll tell you it 100% is. With the rise of technology, a new type of worker emerged onto the scene: the digital nomad. Such workers make a living working remotely, whether that be at home, at a local coffee shop, or even at the beach under the palm trees. If you're considering a job that will allow you to work remotely, the following benefits will make your decision a whole lot easier:
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#1 Your office space is whatever you want it to be
Most people who work remotely will typically work from home. That means they can be as comfortable as they want to be. Working from home gives you the freedom to create a workspace that fits your life. Whether you thrive in an organized area or a messy one, there's no pressure to change your habits just to keep up with appearances.
You don't need to have a clunky desk, an ugly rolling chair, and washed-out computer in the corner of your room somewhere. Your office space can literally be whatever you want it to be. Want to work on your couch? Sure thing. How about in your kitchen on your breakfast bar? No problem. When it comes to your office space, you call the shots!
#2 You can work from essentially anywhere
You don't always have to work from home, either. Working remotely means you can take your work with you wherever decide to go. Of course, you still have daily duties and responsibilities to tend to, but as long as you get your work done and keep the distractions to a minimum, who says you can't work outside of your home?
As with all things in life, moderation is key. As long as all the traveling and being on-the-go doesn't dampen your productivity, you can work from essentially anywhere. Besides, some people thrive in spaces where there's some background noise. So set up at that local sushi bar or under the giant willow tree at the nearby park—the possibilities are endless.
#3 You will save money—lots of it
Perhaps one of the best things about a telework arrangement is that your take-home is a lot more than it would be if you had to work at an office. That's because you don't have to burden yourself with the costs of commuting. Weekly gas fill-ups, bus tickets, and train passes will become a thing of the past for you.
Also, you'll likely be less tempted to eat out because you have direct access to your fridge. Some people spend hundreds of dollars a month on fast food because it's so easily accessible near their workplaces. When you work from home, you can prepare your own food and pocket your money instead of wasting it. Of course, the temptation to call for food delivery will always be there, but at the very least, working from home could minimize your urge to place an order.
#4 You will be more productive, seriously
According to a recent report by FlexJobs, 65 percent of workers believe they would be more productive if they worked from home instead of at an office. Not only would there be less distraction from coworkers, but the motivation to work would be much higher since the dread of having to get up early in the morning to eat breakfast, shower, and commute say, an hour or two to work would no longer be an issue.
Working from home can also workers more focused. Because they are alone with their own thoughts and are under less pressure to keep up with menial things like workplace politics and office niceties, they can just zone in on their work and finish what they need to get done. Contrary to popular belief, the more relaxed they are, the more they will be in the mood to do good work.
#5 You can achieve a work-life balance with ease
It's harder to achieve a work-life balance when you work at an office. Your time is more easily consumed that, by the end of the day, you're just too exhausted to do anything else. Conversely, when you work from home, you have more breathing room to multitask, which, if done correctly, won't necessarily lower your productivity. You can get your work done while the laundry is running, or while the chili you're making brews in the slow cooker.
At the end of your day, you can shut off your laptop and forget about work until the next day. You're now free to do whatever it is you want with your evening. So call up your friends, hit up the local bar, and get socializing. You deserve it!
