10 Reasons Why You Should Work Remotely

As many of us are already working from home due to COVID-19, there are plenty of other reasons why you should work remotely… full-time. Some people are thriving with their new home office setups while some others are… uh… not thriving. To preface, working remotely is not for everyone, but it is definitely worth a shot if it is an option with your employer to see how well you adjust. Some people just like being in an office environment around others and can be more productive there, and that’s okay.

However, working remotely has been gaining popularity long before the new norm of telecommuting because of COVID-19. According to a study done by Zapier in late 2019, 95% of US knowledge workers want to work from home along with 74% of those people would be willing to quit a job to do so.

With so many new full-time remote positions being created because of the coronavirus pandemic, this is the perfect time to start looking for a job where you can work from home in your field.

I have compiled a list of my top 10 reasons on why you should work remotely and hope to help influence someone to pursue remote work but still unsure.

1. You thrive on being alone or in quiet environments.

Do you ever feel like as if you could close the door at work that you could get more work done? Or when John stops by your desk to chat for the 6th time today that you could close literally any type of door? Me too.

Seriously though, if you’re like me, constant distractions ruin my productivity. I don’t mind email distractions or even electronic distractions some because it’s a lot easier to block those out versus a human being sitting across from you without being rude.

I also personally enjoy listening to music at my desk while I work because I can completely shut off the distractions and focus on whatever I’m working on.

2. You need more mental health breaks.

If you consider yourself an introvert or easily drained from the stress of in-person communications, then working from home should be a serious consideration. I value myself as an excellent communicator but having face-to-face meetings or water cooler chats with your boss can seriously drain your mood and energy levels. So, if you are easily mentally drained from being around others all day, remote work is the perfect alternative.

Also, if you’ve ever wanted to cry at your desk from stress at work then it’s a lot easier to do that in the comfort of your own home with the potential of ice cream and chocolates ready at your disposal at all times.

3. You hate your commute.

In bigger cities your commute can easily be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours some days, but just think of all that time you could get back from being able to do your job at home.

I once was in a position where I had to commute for almost two and a half hours every weekday for two months. It was absolutely terrible. I never had the time nor the energy to do anything I wanted to before or after work. Just think about what you would do with (insert your commute time here) a day. You could spend more time with your loved ones, pursue side hustles, play video games, go to the gym, or just simply relax. Time is extremely valuable and if you can avoid your commute by working from home, you 100% will not regret it.

4. You can live wherever you want.

Having the option to work a job from a big city in the comfort of your farmhouse in the middle of Idaho, can be a serious luxury. You have more flexibility as well if you have sudden life changes that require you or your family to move.

Also, if you’re working from a farmhouse in the middle of Idaho then I’d highly recommend making sure you have a stellar internet connection.

5. Your potential for new jobs isn’t as limited to where you live.

Especially right now with everything going on, you could have a job in New York but live across the country. The possibilities are endless. Most employers are choosing to post the flexibility to have a job filled remotely because it increases the talent pool to ensure they have the right person for the job.

The sad reality is that we’re all taught that we need to get an in-person office job where you want to live and make connections there. However, if you’re in a specialized field with few job openings in your field in your local area, then it will be hard for you to have any leverage on making a decision for your future. Remote jobs seem to be posted almost daily versus that one programmer job every other year in your farm town in Idaho.

6. You can work the hours that work the best for you.

Finding a schedule that works for you when working from home or in an office is crucial to your productivity. I often find myself very productive early in the morning or late at night, everyone is different. You’ll have more flexibility in your morning routine and after work routine as well.

7. You hate wearing professional clothes.

Now for the record, we might look good in our professional clothing, but I refuse to believe you’d rather sit at your desk in pants that are too tight and a belt that needs to be loosened than with a cup of coffee dressed in your sweatpants. You can also save money because professional clothes usually can be fairly expensive.

8. You are already a great communicator.

Video calls, group chats, and emails really aren’t a stress of yours. You almost prefer it. It’s easier to organize and remember things sometimes. Working remotely can almost make you want to over-communicate with your team to stay in the loop, which can be a good thing to keep your productivity and morale high.

This can be a deal-breaker for some people. If you’re not already willing to communicate electronically or over the phone, then it can be hard for some to adjust.

9. You can have your own office.

Now, this is a fun part of having a remote job. Have you ever wanted to work in a room with windows? Or in complete darkness other than your computer screen? When you work from home, your office choices are whatever you want them to be.

Here’s a video on my current home office setup that I use and works for me. I have an open floor design in my apartment with natural light coming in from tall windows and it really helps me stay energized throughout the days.

10. The 9-5 life isn’t for you.

You don’t like working a set schedule every day with no change. You don’t like not having a flexible lifestyle while being able to provide excellent work no matter where you are. You don’t like going into an office every day. You don’t like the conversations in the hallway or on the way to the bathroom. You’re less productive in the office than you are at home.

In today’s job market, this is becoming more and more normal. There are a ton of creative people out there that can thrive from being able to work from home on their own schedules or locations. Working a 9-5 is a great way to make a living, but it just doesn’t fulfill you.