TLDR: Remote work became the norm for many as companies had to adapt to the global pandemic. Even after Covid faded away, companies saw the benefit of having “hybrid” systems, with some of their workforce either partially or fully working remote. 4 years later, is it still all it’s cracked up to be? Let’s find out.
🚗 How it all Started
👍 The Pros
👎 The Cons
💼 What’s the future looking like?
😎 The Chad Takeaway
🚗 HOW IT ALL STARTED
For most of us, 2020 was the year when we got pulled out of our office desks straight into the home office experience.
As governments around started to put populations in quarantine, some of stocked our fridges and woke up the next day figuring out where would our improvised work station be.
The COVID-19 pandemic came and went but home office became the new normal for a bunch of different people. It for sure change the lives of many.
So is it good? Is it bad?
Let’s dive into it
👍 THE PROS
No Commuting Drama: Working from home means saying goodbye to traffic jams and overcrowded buses.
The daily stress of racing against time, worrying about unreliable transport, and envisioning your boss’s frown as they glance at your empty chair, while wasting an average of 54 hours every year.
Now, the longest commute is from your bed to your desk, coffee pit stop included. Plus, you get extra Z’s even if you had a trusty commute before.Expanding Horizons: The world of remote work breaks down barriers. The internet is a game-changer, enabling employers to connect with talent miles away.
Workers from quieter, more remote areas now have the same opportunities as city slickers.
You could be in a quaint village and still earn a city salary.Flexible Lifestyle: Home is where the heart is, and also where you can juggle work with personal life. Got kids? Save on daycare. Caring for someone special? Balance it seamlessly with your work.
Plus, choose when you work best. Night owl? No problem, tackle those tasks in the wee hours.
And let’s not forget the dress code – or lack thereof. Working in your comfiest clothes? Priceless.
👎 THE CONS
Distraction Central: Just a quick game of FIFA before that budget planning meeting. Surely you can squeeze one more episode of The Wire before continuing with that pesky project you are due.
Although numbers show that people tend to focus more while working from home, it is not without the danger of your mind wandering somewhere else. Discipline is your best friend here. Remember, a clear mind does wonders.
Try working in focused bursts. Did you know? On average, we lose 2.1 hours a day to distractions and take about 25 minutes to refocus after each one. So, bro, keep your work game strong!Isolation Nation: If you’re flying solo at home, the lack of office banter and human interaction can be a downer.
Some offices are more than just workspaces – they’re social hubs, complete with cool amenities and great colleagues. Feeling isolated? Reach out to your work pals.
Being remote doesn’t mean you can’t keep those connections alive and kicking.Mixing Work and Play: Especially in a small space, your gaming or chill zone doubles as your office can muddle things up. Your haven becomes a place of stress. The trick?
Set clear boundaries. Have distinct zones for work and leisure, even if they’re just different corners of the same room
💼 WHAT’S THE FUTURE LOOKING LIKE?
Businesses are seeing significant cost savings – goodbye, large expensive office leases; hello, leaner operational costs.
But it’s not all about the bottom line. Companies are finding that remote work can boost employee satisfaction and productivity, as their teams relish the flexibility and work-life harmony this setup offers.
But having said all this, 9 out of 10 companies are still demanding the dreaded “RTO” (Return to Office).
Why? Well they perceive that workers are simply more productive at the office and will produce more revenue.
Is this true? Hard to say. The data was gathered from surveys from company managers. So basically pulled from thin air.
😎 THE CHAD TAKEAWAY
Remote work is like a rollercoaster – full of ups and downs, twists and turns.
It’s about finding what works for you and your employer, striking that perfect balance between productivity and personal life.
The days of remote working may be numbered for some. But a real Chad will make find a way to make it his choice.
Location independent entrepreneurship, anyone?