It seems like everyone and their dog are working from home nowadays! The people who aren’t working from home are jealous (I know I am). There are so many reasons why someone would want to have a remote job but let’s be real, not everyone is cut out for remote work.
So, other than just a burning desire to, how do you know if you should work from home? Because the last thing you want to do is commit to something that a) you won’t like or b) you might not be good at—harsh but true.
There are some obvious (and not so obvious) signs that you are ready to work from home. Let’s chat about them!
How to Know You’re Ready to Work From Home
You are self-disciplined
One of the most important skills you need to work from home is discipline. When no one is looking over your shoulder or constantly walking past your office, it’s easy to get a bit lazy. With so many distractions at home (kids, phones, computers, pets, chores, etc) it’s easy to get off task.
However, if you are self-motivated and driven to do well without that external pressure, you are ready to work from home.
Heck, you’re ready to be your own boss even!
You prefer to be at home
I am such a homebody!! Being able to stay in the comfort of my own home to do my work every day would be the biggest blessing.
If you would much rather be at your house all day versus the office, you might be ready to get into remote work!
Is there anything better than using your own bathroom during the day?? Not really.
You have a designated workspace
So this is more of a logistical point. You really do need a designated work space if you plan on working from home.
It might seem like fun for a day or two to sit on the couch with your laptop but your body will not be happy long term.
Whether you have your own office, a desk in the corner of your bedroom, or just a kitchen table, having some sort of station will help you stay productive and also turn off at the end of the day!
Working from home should be a balance!
You need to be able to shut off work and enter “home mode” without actually leaving your house. That can be challenging. But if you have a workspace it’ll make deciding if you should work from home easier for your brain.
You are excited about remote work
Feeling excited about your job is something we all strive for but unfortunately, few actually get to experience it.
If the thought of working remotely gets you excited about the job itself and is something you’d like then you are ready!
You hate the commute more than anything
Whether you commute by car, bus, train, bicycle, or with your own two feet, it can be the most frustrating waste of time thing you do all day.
I don’t find my commute fun or relaxing in any way. It’s just a wasted 45 minutes there and 45 minutes back that I could have been doing something I enjoy (or you know, sleeping in longer).
If you are over your commute then you might be ready to work from home! Think of that nice and easy commute from your bedroom to the shower to the kitchen to the computer! Sounds wonderful.
You need flexibility
Sometimes working from home is not just a want but a need.
Depending on your life and current responsibilities you may need some flexibility. Work-from-home jobs are great for moms, but also for people with extra family responsibilities like caring for aging parents, or people with health conditions, and so on.
Being able to start work earlier or later, taking a longer break mid-day, or being able to run an errand on your lunch break are all fantastic perks of remote jobs.
Communication is your superpower
Being alone while working all day can be hard on your social life and communication between co-workers can suffer.
However, if you are a master communicator and have no issues with staying on top of your emails and making phone calls, deciding if you should work from home should be a no-brainer!
If you struggle to answer emails in a timely fashion, don’t like talking on the phone, or dislike zoom meetings… this might not be your cup of tea!
Getting comfortable with virtual communication will be crucial but if you already have those skills then you are so ready for work-from-home life!
In Conclusion
Working from home is not for everyone or every job. Unfortunately, we can’t have paramedics or construction workers working from home. That just wouldn’t work.
However, for the jobs that can be done from home, it’s important that to understand what is expected. People should have enough introspection to know if they could thrive in a position like that.
Ultimately, communication skills, self-discipline, and a proper workspace are the minimum requirements!
If you have the personality for working from home (hello homebodies and introverts) then that is even better!
Hopefully, this gives you an idea of if you are ready to work from home and I hope that whatever you choose to do, work from home or be a stay at home mom, is something you enjoy!
Deanna is a 20-something personal growth blogger and freelance writer. She created Life By Deanna to inspire other women to focus on growth, create lives they love, and dream big. Check out her blog for more posts on personal growth, wellness, and lifestyle. When she isn’t writing she is reading, cuddling with her cat, and probably eating mac and cheese. Connect with Deanna on Instagram and Twitter!