5 Most Untrued Myths about Working from Home. Are they True?

Many of you have realized the many benefits and challenges that come with working remotely over the last month. It may seem like you are getting the hang of it. You have your morning routine, which includes getting up at 5 am, going straight to the coffee maker, and then heading to work in the tiny space you’ve made. However, your boss, coworkers, friends, family, or even yourself, may not be convinced that remote working is a viable path to success.

Working from home is not as glamorous as people think. You can work in your pajamas and have no boss looking over your shoulder. Remote work doesn’t have to be difficult because you don’t have to commute or have a fridge full of snacks.

No matter where you work from, work is still working. Working from home presents unique challenges that office workers might not be ready for. You may have noticed the following misconceptions about working remotely:

1. It’s much easier than working in an office

Some aspects of remote working are more straightforward. It’s not as distracting to your work from the constant interruptions of your phone ringing, your cubicle neighbor’s pen-tapping habits, or your coworkers snooping in on you to have a chat. If you feel tired, you can take a break without fear of getting into trouble. You can take a short walk around the block or grab another cup of coffee.

Being on your own takes more discipline and determination than being under the constant watch of a boss. Of course, you can spend your day on Facebook and catch up on laundry, but if that’s not what you do, you’ll end up working all night. Also, if you don’t adhere to a strict work schedule, your clients could be unhappy and wonder why they aren’t getting their projects done on time.

You must be able to resist temptations and stick to a schedule even if it is self-imposed.

2. It is not “working.”

Traditional workplaces often measure productivity using the “butt-in-chair” method. If your boss sees that you are sitting in your chair at 8:50 am and still there at 5:10 pm, they will assume you are working hard. Unfortunately, this can often be false.

Many people think they are productive just by browsing the internet, scanning papers when the boss comes by, and staying a little longer than everyone else. Results are what matter most. If you don’t have to answer anyone, you might find yourself working harder. You have complete control over your time and can make your schedule. Why would you waste your time?

Many people who work from homes, such as entrepreneurs and freelancers, are self-starters and take their jobs seriously. They also challenge themselves to create the best work. Unfortunately, this can lead to many late nights and weekends, as there is no one to make you stop working if someone else isn’t at work by 5:00 pm.

3. You have the freedom to do what you want whenever you like

You will indeed be able to get the coveted mid-day doctor’s visits you were not allowed to as an office worker. However, this doesn’t mean that you can abandon your to-do lists and binge-watch Netflix whenever you want.

You will likely be working in a customer-facing or client-facing role. It is because it’s the best time to be available to the people you need. Many people are most productive in the mornings and early afternoons. While you can work a night shift and complete a project by 2:00 am, many people will not do their best work there. It can be even easier to work with people you live with, primarily if they work remotely or take classes online.

If you are a good planner and can keep your tasks on track, you might be able to enjoy the occasional break from work. However, your business is dependent on your dedication. Too many absences could bring you back to square one, just as they did in the corporate world.

4. This allows you to have a better work-life balance

Although I wouldn’t say I liked the traditional 9-5, I could take some comfort in knowing that I could shut off my work brain as soon as 5:00 pm arrived. Evenings and weekends were completely different. My work was not a part of them. I now work longer hours because I am independent.

Part of it is due to the hustle required to start and grow your business. Another part comes from the fact it’s challenging to balance life and work when there’s no distinction between them. I don’t commute from home to work; instead, I walk from my bedroom into my den. I can work on projects after dinner or on weekends if I have one that I need to fix.

5. It’s not possible to work from home

Many vocations require a physical presence to do the job, but many people are surprised at how many jobs can now be done from their homes. In addition, employers and employees alike are finding it easier to work from home due to mandatory shelter in place orders resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

You may already know that remote working isn’t an easy task. Remote work is likely to be a difficult transition for you if you are the type of worker who needs some assistance to stay on track. However, you will likely thrive in the new age of remote work as long as you view these as opportunities to rise.

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Disclaimer. The opinions and views expressed in this article are the authors Shalom Lamm.