Everyone is jumping at flexible work-from-home job options these days. According to a study by Buffer, 98% of participants reported that they would prefer to work remotely at some point in their careers.
It’s obvious.
Working remotely offers plus points like flexibility, the freedom to choose your own schedule, spending time with family, and the ability to work from anywhere.
However, this arrangement is not without its challenges. Although it was my dream to work from home, it was a chaotic experience in the beginning.
Neither was I meeting my work deadlines, nor was I spending time with my family. The constant guilt of not being able to work up to the mark was affecting my work and family life.
Working from home might seem like the perfect thing to do, but if you are not ready for it, then it might become a big mess.
5 Pitfalls of Remote Work and How to Fix Them
Working alone
If you are not cut out to be a self-motivated person, working from home can become a reason for anxiety or depression. There are two kinds of people: some thrive working in a group environment, and others love working in their own space.
If you are the first kind and want to work from home, then you need to consider the fact that you will be missing out on everyday social interaction. It can get a bit lonely, and your productivity levels might fall.
The way you can fix this issue is by keeping in touch with your teammates through communication apps like Google Hangouts or Skype. Forget that you are working alone and reach out if you have any work issues or need to discuss a project. Having constant communication with your team can make you feel as if you are working in an office environment.
Another way to tackle the work-from-home loneliness is to take regular breaks and recharge yourself. A small break from your work can give you enough rejuvenation to work to your full potential.
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Communication gaps
This is the most common and the most feared drawback of working from home. Every employer is worried about the lack of communication with their remote employees. And this is probably the major cause of the employers not agreeing to the remote work option.
The gaps in communication when you work from home can become pretty big if not taken seriously.
Keeping in contact with your team members, updating the work details constantly in a communication channel, and being connected even if you are out of your home are some of the things you need to follow if you want to avoid this pitfall.
It is also important that you are proactive in reaching out if you come across any work issues on time. Sometimes, whether you work remotely or in a traditional office, work deadlines become paramount. This can create a lot of confusion if you are working remotely. Being informed about your work deadlines and targets is all the more vital when you work from home.
Constant distractions
This is probably the most common unavoidable challenge if you choose to work from home. There are infinite distractions if you are working remotely, and sometimes your productivity will suffer if you don’t set boundaries.
It could be your kids, pets, or an uninvited guest; all these things can hinder your work schedule. This can also negatively affect your performance, as many employers frown upon remote work.
The best way to tackle this problem is to have a dedicated home office area in your house, work in the quietest times of the day, and change your work venue, like a coffee shop, if the distractions are unavoidable.
Doing the most important part of your work during the most efficient timings is the key to working from home.
No discipline
Being organized and disciplined plays a vital role when you choose remote work. Imagine this: you are free to work from home, you don’t have your boss breathing down your neck, and you can take time off anytime. Sounds like a dream? Well, this is a dream that can also turn into a nightmare.
Having no self-discipline can deteriorate your work ethic, especially when you work from home. No matter where you work from, you need to keep your productivity levels up to par.
Agreed, you can work whenever you want, but getting work done is the most important aspect of remote work. Meeting deadlines can be hard, but if you are organized and disciplined, then it’s a piece of cake to work from home.
Some things that have helped me to be more productive in my remote work are planning my day ahead, having a good night’s rest, and working when I can.
Working all the time
This is the other side of the coin. As much as you need to be disciplined to deliver results in your remote job, it’s also important to know when you should call it a day.
When you work from home, there is a very thin line between work time and family time because your work comes with you. This results in working long hours way past your usual time and becomes all-day work. Sometimes it’s the feeling of working less because you are working from home that pushes you to work 24/7.
Having worked in a remote job for over 16 years, I believe everyone who works from home should know when to unplug from work. It can be hard to do this, but if you don’t draw the line between work and rest, it can become a mess. Working from home is an enjoyable setup if you know how to balance it well with your personal life.
Managing expectations
When you are working from home, you are expected to be on the job. Though remote working is the new normal, employers are still skeptical about the working ability and productivity of their employees when they ask for work-from-home days.
This can put pressure on the employees to work more and meet the expectations.
The simple way to make this better is to be clear about the things to be done or the deadlines to be reached with your boss. Having good communication with them and updating them on the work goals is another great way to make things easier.
Once your initial work deadlines are met, it will be evident to your boss that you can do your job even from home. It also helps to express your work timings so that your work does not spill into your personal life.
Conclusion
If you are new to remote work, then take your time to start working from home. Follow simple tips like working when you are most productive, creating boundaries between work and personal life, and being in contact with your team. These things could really help you enjoy your remote work experience.
Remote work is the future of the workforce. As more and more companies turn toward letting their employees work from home, it’s all the more important to excel in this work arrangement.
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