Remote working is a very multi-faceted thing and there are definitely many different aspects to consider. A lot of people see it as this glamorous thing, but as popular as it is becoming, there are tons of people who try it and realize it’s not for them!
So I’m switching gears a little today, and sharing with you 4 truths about remote working that nobody tells you about!
You’re Going To Feel Left Out Sometimes
In Buffer’s annual State of Remote Work report, they found that more than one in five remote workers feels that loneliness is their biggest struggle with working remotely.
My biggest tip? Find a crew! Whether it’s friends that you already know or meeting other freelancers and remote workers, find a group who work and live in a similar way. That way, instead of staying at home all day, you can plan work days at coffee shops in groups and not worry about feeling lonely!
Productivity Will Feel Different
Despite your best efforts, it can be hard to keep yourself motivated to work at times. Especially if there’s no one there to push you or keep you on track, it’s easy to want to take a mid afternoon nap and forget about the stress on hand.
There are tons of different methods and techniques you could implement to help you stay self-motivated when it comes to remote working. Whether it’s theming your days or “eating the frog”, find what works for you and stick with it!
Self-Directed Learning Will Play a Huge Part In Your Life
Another reason that puts people off remote working is definitely the lack of mentorship or support sometimes. Especially if you work for a fully remote team that are in other parts of the world than you, it can be hard to get the help that you need, when you need it.
In turn, self-directed learning will start to play a huge part in your career. Although any good remote team should have a communication method set up, it’s still important to anticipate that there will be plenty of moments where you’re just going to need to figure it out on your own.
Looking for friends who are in the same field or are doing similar work as you can definitely help this issue. Or just be resourceful yourself and learn what you need to do on the internet. Google is also an insane resource that will probably have the answers you need if you looked hard enough.
It’s Not For Everyone (And That’s Okay!)
Remote work is a skill and it’s totally okay if it’s not for you! As glamorous as it may seem, this article, and many others are there, are perfect examples to why remote working isn’t for everyone. Working remotely forces you to be a “over” communicator and that’s definitely not something that everyone is naturally comfortable with.
Whether it’s because you naturally are someone who needs more structure and direction when it comes to work, or because you’re just not someone who can work outside a busy office—it’s totally okay! Remote work is like any other position in a company, sometimes it’s just not meant to be.
If you are considering remote working, definitely don’t forget to look at reasons why it may not be a good option for you. It’s easy to get wrapped up only looking on the bright side of things, and you might be surprised once you actually get the thing you’re striving for.
I personally have loved remote working so far but I think I was well prepared in the time-management, self-motivation aspect due to school. If you’re ready to give it a try, We Work Remotely is a great place to start when looking for remote positions (especially in Tech!). Happy hunting!
