The Pros and Cons of Working Remote

The rise of technology has made it possible for more and more people to work remotely, either from home or from anywhere in the world. While working remotely can have many benefits, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Today we’re going to explore some of the pros and cons of working remotely as well as some tips to help you succeed in a remote world!

The Pros of Working Remote

• Flexibility: One of the biggest benefits of working remotely is the flexibility it offers. Remote workers can set their own schedules and create a working environment that suits them best. This can lead to increased productivity and a better work-life balance, and allows the opportunity for travel and exploration.

• Autonomy: Remote workers are usually given more autonomy in how they work and are trusted to get the job done. This can lead to increased job satisfaction and a sense of ownership over one's work, and allows you to work in a way that works best for you.

• Cost savings: Remote workers can save money on commuting costs, such as gas, public transportation, and vehicle maintenance. Additionally, remote workers can also save money on office-related expenses such as work attire and lunches. I also find it’s easier to remember to water my plants when I spend every day looking at them.

• Increased opportunity: Remote work can open up new job opportunities, especially for people living in rural or remote areas. It can also allow for more international job opportunities. Some digital nomads like to use cost of living hacks to live in cheaper locations, or optimize for daily life satisfaction by choosing to live in a spot that aligns with their interests and hobbies.

The Cons of Working Remote

• Isolation: One of the biggest challenges of working remotely is isolation. Remote workers can feel disconnected from their colleagues and the company culture. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and a lack of motivation.

• Difficulty in communication: Communication can be a challenge when working remotely, and it's important to establish clear communication channels and protocols. Miscommunication can easily occur and cause delays and misunderstandings. My recommendation — watch out for text-based communications, which can cause issues due to a lack of visible body language or audible tone, and opt for video calls when dealing with more sensitive topics.

• Distractions: Remote workers can easily get distracted by their home environment, such as family and household responsibilities. Additionally, remote workers may feel pressure to always be available, which can lead to overworking and burnout.

• Lack of structure: Some people may find working remotely to be overwhelming, as there is often a lack of structure and clear boundaries between work and personal life.

Tips and Tricks for Remote Work

Personally, I like to combat isolation by connecting with my colleagues over Slack and Zoom. We host informal coffee sessions to chat with each other outside of work. I also find social stimulation outside of work — I enjoy working from coffee shops, coworking spaces, and even hostels on days I don’t have a lot of calls and can casually chat with other workers.

On days I need to do deep work or have several calls, I like to optimize my working space for distraction-free work. For me, this means noise-canceling headphones (I use AirPods), a quieter environment (usually a home office, private office in a coworking space, or even a bedroom), and a notebook to write out my to do list and ensure I get everything done.

Whether I’m working out of the house or at home, I’ve developed a system to ensure I do have structure and don’t worry about any tasks falling through the cracks.

I personally use Notion, an app available on web, desktop, and mobile — Notion allows me to create running to do lists, organize by board views if I prefer, and break out my tasks into separate pages for work and personal. I use this in conjunction with Google calendar, where I keep track of focus blocks and upcoming calls. I also prefer to work a more traditional 9-5 time block — for me, the idea of clocking in and clocking out provides separation between work and life for me. I don’t think about work outside of those hours (although life may bleed into working hours!).

Is Remote Work for Me?

Like the chef in Ratatouille, I like to say that everyone can work remotely, but maybe not everyone should work remotely. Different people thrive in different circumstances, often based on priorities. I know some very social people who feel they are missing key aspects of life if they cannot be in-person with their colleagues; conversely, I know other very social people who feel more fulfilled given flexibility and the ability to prioritize their own friends and family.

Ultimately, the choice to work remotely needs to align with your personality and your goals. If you’re questioning if remote work is right for you — or if you believe it is and find yourself wondering where you should begin — you’ve come to the right spot! Roadmap to Remote is designed to help you ace the process of finding a remote job while evaluating what aligns best with your dreams and goals. I can’t wait to help you get started.

Check Out Roadmap to Remote