For many of us, working from home is preferable to working in an office. Working from home offers freedom from the numerous distractions that come from working in an office environment, and allows you to create a working atmosphere that suits your specific needs.
However, there is still some debate as to whether or not working from home is easier than working in an office. While some studies have shown that working from home makes people more productive, high-profile executives like Yahoo’s Marissa Mayer say that working from home leads to communication breakdowns and stifles creativity.
Death to the Commute
In 2013, the national average one-way daily commute was 25.5 minutes. Round trip, that’s almost an hour spent driving or riding public transportation each day. That is time that could be better spent getting work done. And if you’ve ever been stuck in a soul-crushing traffic jam, you know there’s nothing beneficial about the stress of a commute.
Fewer Distractions
Many people find it’s easier to work from home because of fewer distractions. Chatty coworkers, needless meetings, and random fire drills (the actual kind, not client emergencies) can make getting work done that much more difficult.
While working from home comes with its own set of potential distractions—dishes, pets, your Netflix queue—many employees say working at home actually has fewer distractions than the typical workplace.
Same Set Up, Different Location
Is there really anything you have access to at your office that you can’t get at home? Many people have a cell phone, internet access, printer, and designated workspace in their home. So why travel across town to use an almost identical space filled with almost identical tools to do the same job?
The popularization of technology has made it easier than ever to do business from just about anywhere. In this way, it is literally easier to work from home than it ever has ever been before.
Your Health Will Thank You
Studies show that working from home might be easier on your body than working in an office. The stress of commuting and worrying about personal details like childcare or getting a package delivered during work hours can take their toll on your physical and mental health.
These studies also show that people who work from home have a better diet than those who work in an office. They’re more likely to eat breakfast, skip unhealthy snacks, and take the time to make something nutritious for dinner.
Tend to Your Family
Working from home allows you to focus on what’s really important—like your family. Single parents, or even two busy parents, know that whatever time they can spend with their child is a blessing. By working from home, parents can spend a bit more time with their kids in the morning, be there when they get out of school, and maybe even sit in the backyard with them for a bit during a summer afternoon. Not having to worry about the emotional burden of being away at an office, or the financial burden of finding someone to take care of your kids while you’re away, definitely makes life easier for the telecommuter.
It’s All About What Works for You
Working from home isn’t for everyone. Maybe you get too distracted by the dishes in the sink, have a stay-at-home spouse who won’t let you work in peace, or need the social aspect of work. If so, that means working in an office is easier for you, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The most important thing is finding a workflow that works for you and gets results.
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