Working remotely can seem like a dream come true for many professionals. Why wouldn't it be? No more commutes, office politics, and you get to work from the comforts of your home — or anywhere you have Wi-Fi or a stable internet connection. However, it's not all fun and games — there are definitely a few pros and cons. Working in isolation has its own set of challenges.
Let's start with the best things in life, shall we?
The best:
You can work from any place
Location independence is one of the best things about a remote work environment. You can work anywhere and are not limited to typical 9 to 5 work hours!
- No need for an office: You can work wherever there is internet access—even in bed if that floats your boat (and let's be honest, who wouldn't prefer their own bed over an office chair sometimes?).
- No need for a specific time zone: Most companies operate on PST (Pacific Standard Time) during weekdays. This usually allows them flexibility during weekends and holidays, so they can hire people in different time zones worldwide without any issues arising due to clashing work schedules caused by daylight saving time differences between countries.
At Proxify, we love working with remote developers who want to work from home or anywhere else in the world!
You can have a flexible schedule
A healthy work-life balance means that you can work when you want and take breaks when you want. You can also take time off and holidays whenever it suits your needs. One of the best things about working remotely is that you'll probably feel like coming into the office less often than if you were working in an office. If you decide to go in, it's likely that most people will be focusing on their work and won't mind if you aren't spending much time talking with them.
You can wear anything you want
When you work remotely, it's easier to get dressed. You don't need to wear uncomfortable shoes or a suit — you can just throw on whatever you feel like that day! No need to dress up: You can wear your pajamas, yoga pants and t-shirts all day long, and no one will bat an eye.
You can exercise
Working at home means you have more control over your schedule, which means you can set aside time to get fit. You don't have to worry about catching a ride to the gym or putting on pants and leaving your house — just lace up your sneakers, put on some music, and go! You also get to spend more time with family, so if your child wants you to play hide and seek or race around the block during your lunch break, nothing is stopping you from doing so!
The worst:
You might feel lonely
Loneliness is a common feeling among remote workers. This can be especially true when you're new to the job, but even if you've been working remotely for years, the lack of face time and social interactions with your colleagues can get lonely. In addition to missing out on those daily interactions and hallway chats about the weather or how your kids are doing, there's also less socializing at work events. You might not know who's going through what struggles at work or what exciting things they're working on (both in their professional and personal lives).
You could be left out
You might miss out on the opportunity to be part of those spontaneous, in-the-moment discussions when you're in the same room. This can be particularly frustrating if your colleagues are working on an engagement together and you cannot contribute your thoughts because they're not being discussed where you are.
You also don't get to participate in office social events as much anymore — even if they're not mandatory! It's one thing to have an optional happy hour; it's quite another when everyone else is doing something fun, but you can't go because it's too far away or no one knows how much notice they need to give.
You’ll feel distracted sometimes
The distractions are real. Working from home comes with many advantages, but one of the most significant downsides is that you're close to all the things constantly trying to distract you. It's easy for your mind to wander and get distracted by something else, especially if you work on something monotonous or repetitive.
You might struggle with self-discipline
While self-discipline is essential for all employees, it can be especially challenging for remote workers. When you're working in an office, there are plenty of opportunities to get distracted — by your coworkers or a conversation at the watercooler, perhaps — but working alone means that you are entirely responsible for staying on task and keeping yourself motivated.
If you feel bored or unmotivated while working remotely, try ensuring that your tasks are always varied rather than repetitive. This will help keep things exciting and allow more creative thinking into your workday.
Remote work comes with its own set of challenges and advantages
Remote work can be a great way to save money, reduce stress, and enjoy time with family and friends. However, finding the right support network or keeping up with important tasks can also be difficult without an office environment to hold you accountable.
Here are some tips for dealing with the biggest challenges of working remotely: Find a community (or several) on Facebook, Twitter, or online forums like Reddit or Quora. You never know when someone else might need advice on managing their remote careers!
- Turn off all notifications because they're distracting, and they'll make you feel more anxious if you can't tell what's going on.
- Use Slack or another productivity app to stay on top of your workday.
- Create an automatic "to do" list, so you don't forget anything important.
- Set a timer for your breaks.
- Use distraction-free software like Zenmate or VNC.
- Unplug from social media for one hour every day.
- Keep a notebook nearby to write down ideas, so you don't forget them while working!
If you're a remote developer, you know finding clients who understand how to work with remote workers can be challenging. It's crucial to find a company willing to invest in you and your skills, which is why working with Proxify is so great.
We understand the challenges of being a remote worker, which is why we offer a variety of tools and services designed to make your life easier. Whether you need support for one specific aspect of your work or want all-inclusive access to everything we offer, there's something for everyone! We also offer great rates — our prices are very competitive compared to other providers.
Once you sign up for our services, we'll set up an account for you and make sure everything is ready before starting any projects. This means no more waiting around for days after signing up before getting started; instead, we can get right down to business!
Working remotely can be a wonderful thing. It allows you to work from anywhere, with no commute time and no dress code. It may not be the perfect choice for everyone, but if it sounds like it might be right for you, we encourage you to explore it further!