“Okay, so we are talking double the price, but you get what you pay for with double the protein,” Sunna says. “That’s an impressive 28% reduction in sugar content, or a teaspoon of sugar a day if you have a 300g portion.” In this series every Friday, we’re trying to find the cheapest ways to identify the healthiest options in the supermarket. Take this example of a talented professional who is now about to become a partner at a medium-sized consulting firm. He has impeccable credentials and had acquired significant experience in one of the bigger consulting firms in his field before landing a job at his current, medium-sized firm. Working from home might become challenging if you rely on an unstable WiFi connection that doesn’t provide good coverage to all areas of your house or apartment.
When you’re telecommuting for the first time, it’s tempting to pick up your laptop, plop down on the couch, and go about your workday. Whether you set your own schedule or have specific hours that you need to be working, creating a routine can help you manage your time and focus better on your work. You may also experience challenges working from home if you have children. Depending on their age, you may need to deal with childcare, working around their school schedule, and generally balancing your work and family life.
Whether it’s a long commute, freezing air conditioners, or loud co-workers, working in an office can be a distracting experience. Nearly 98 percent of workers say they’d prefer to work remotely (at least some of the time) for the rest of their career. One possible loss you may experience when you start working from home is collaboration, teamwork, or, simply, human contact. As you’re adjusting, schedule meetings with colleagues to brainstorm or just catch up by phone or FaceTime. To prevent burnout and achieve proper work-life balance, it’s crucial to set clear boundaries, which is where creating a schedule comes in handy.
For those that work from home, the possibilities are endless. From freelance writing to virtual assisting, there are a plethora of job opportunities available for individuals looking to make a living from the comfort of their own home. One popular option is remote customer service, where agents handle calls and inquiries from customers without ever having to leave their house.
What Do You Do?
If you’re feeling the strain of working from from, there are strategies that can help you manage your stress. Having a consistent routine, minimizing distractions, connecting with friends, and taking regular breaks are just a few ideas that can help. Early on, it meant my local coffee shop, the one with the good Wi-Fi and lemon tarts. Now it means anywhere in roughly my same time zone, allowing me to clock in and out at the same time every day.
As someone who works from home, your job may vary depending on your skills and interests. Some people find success in graphic design, others in data entry or social media management. The key is to find a job that aligns with your strengths and passions, allowing you to thrive in your remote work environment.
To account for the delays in communication, it’s best to set expectations early, especially when you’re working on highly cross-functional projects. The newer remote workers see not having to commute as the biggest advantage (28%) of working from home. While pre-pandemic remote workers see their flexible schedule (36%) as the most important benefit.
While it’s tempting to roll out of bed, down your morning joe, and sit straight down at your desk to work, it’s not advisable. Our brains and bodies work best with routine, so decide on the business hours that work for you and stick to them. While your working hours may be a little more flexible, you need to have the discipline to manage your time correctly. Without discipline, you run the risk of procrastinating or taking too many naps. Set reminders on your phone to get up and move around, take a walk around the block, or a short stretching or breathing break.
How Difficult Was It to Get the Job?
In Europe, at least, I can get an “unlimited” data plan that covers much of the continent for just €35 per month — useful if my Airbnb’s Wi-Fi is shit. Otherwise, there’s Starlink RV, which has been great at filling in the gaps left by the mobile providers in my three weeks with it. I’m using it right now to work from a popular Dutch beach at a time when all the revelers have overwhelmed the local tower, making my mobile data plan unusable. I was working from home for years before the pandemic, so I’m very familiar with some of the most common pieces of advice that are floating around the internet. The only thing I really miss about office life is how it naturally created structure in my daily life. You have to wake up at a certain time, eat at a certain time, schedule when you’re going to work out, when you’re going to walk the dog — all so you can get your butt at your desk by 9AM.
Securing a work-from-home job can be challenging, especially if you are just starting out. Many companies require previous experience or specific qualifications, making it tough for beginners to land their first remote position. However, with determination and perseverance, it is possible to find a job that suits your needs and allows you to work from the comfort of your home.
