Working from home options are a hot-button topic these days. With over 70% of people hoping to continue to find some flexibility in their workspace offerings, it’s time to get down to data in figuring out what those options really offer you.
Particular areas of impact
The uncertainty doesn’t end when your company chooses to offer remote work options. So if working from home is something you’re trying to make work for you, how do you decide what’s best for your work-life balance?
Whether you’re contemplating returning to the office, already have, or are just reflecting on the difference in experience, there are many factors to consider in relation to remote work.
Productivity
For many companies, the metric for productivity has been observable for most of their corporate existence. Shifting to the measures of productivity as a reflection of output instead of observed effort is something that has been reinforced through remote work. This became especially true when it became the only option for many companies to keep their employees working in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Measuring productivity, and encouraging it, are important considerations in working from home initiatives. Whether you are looking to optimize your own productivity or illustrate it to someone else, navigating the difference in measuring productivity in your office is important no matter where it’s located.
Culture
Office culture is undeniably different when it’s happening through virtual meetings and slack channels. Whether this is a good or bad thing remains to be seen. When most of your company culture is developed in a remote space, you have to be intentional with the way you build relationships and make connections.
Perhaps culture is more adaptable than we thought though. Meaningful connection is possible with your colleagues, clients, teams, or prospective sales negotiations when working remotely. Regardless of how this weighs for you, keeping culture in mind as you navigate the way you structure your work environment is critical, even for those who prefer to work alone.
Time management
Working from home has a unique scheduling side. You can be in and out of your personal life with the close of a laptop and the flip of a clock. For many people, it’s unclear whether this falls on the positive or negative side of their remote work equation.
On the upside, your working hours are exactly as expected and you have no lost hours to your commute. On the less sunny side, it’s that much easier to just finish off one more task at 9 pm on a Saturday. This means that there are fewer out-of-hours commitments outside of your working obligations. However, it also means that you have to be more intentional with the way you manage your time to preserve the boundaries around your roles and spaces while maintaining your productivity goals.
Positive – Negative – Neutral
Like an atom, most decisions are made up of multiple parts with different charges. The list below is broken into three sections for simplicity: positive, negative, and neutral considerations for remote work.
While the items on it have been categorized for an at-a-glance view of considering what matters most to you in striking an effective work-life balance, your own needs may mean the items shift columns.
Positive
- Higher overall productivity
- Less time commuting
- More schedule flexibility
- Lower carbon footprint
- Savings on travel expenses
Negative
- Less effective communication
- Limited information access
- Access to tech facilities limited
- Social isolation
- Less separation of work and home life
Neutral
- Corporate offices are likely to become smaller, less prominent
- Multiple timezone teams are more likely
The neutrality of time zones and the size of offices may be more or less relevant depending on your industry or the size of the office. Some companies are opting to offer smaller office spaces with amenities like conference rooms and larger tech systems (like 3D printers or copiers).
Other items that may impact where you categorize things on your lists are wifi reliability, privacy in your living space, the cost/reliability of transportation, and team communication needs.
Look at all sides
Take a look at some of the key highlights and drawbacks of working from home can help you find clarity and peace of mind in striking the right balance in your life. It’s helpful to think of working from home with a less polarizing lens when you’re trying to weigh up its impact on your life. At Stress Solutions, we use a therapy technique called Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). We like to describe it as “walking in the middle” between acceptance and change.
When you’re thinking about the factors of working from home, an approach that centers on intentional duality can be helpful. For many people, there are aspects of remote or office work that will inevitably be the deciding factor. That factor, and the weight of it in your own work-life balance, will look different for everyone.
Making decisions about your work environment can be just as challenging as making decisions about schedules and commitments, but it can also be just as rewarding. When you strike the work-life.
Reduce Blurred Boundaries While Working From Home with Online Therapy in Portland, OR
Through online therapy in Oregon and California, you can get support in making decisions and establishing boundaries. At Stress Solutions, we can provide you with guidance so that you can confidently work in a setup that best supports your needs. In order to get started follow these steps:
- Reach out for a free consultation
- Schedule your first appointment with an online therapist
- Make decisions and establish boundaries with confidence
Therapy Services We Offer Through Online Therapy in Portland, Oregon, & California
At Stress Solutions, we specialize in online therapy for men and online couples counseling. However, our online therapist offers a variety of services. That includes stress management, anxiety therapy, and more through individual therapy. Additionally, you can get support through personal addiction recovery, trauma therapy, and EMDR therapy.
