Everything About Work From Anywhere

Thanks, LinkedIn News India and Isha Chitnis for inviting me to share my views on "Will work from anywhere pick up in India? What could be the possible challenges and how can we overcome them?".

I had been working from home for the last 18 years. One thing I loved about this is the flexibility of working not only from my home but literally anywhere anytime. This #freedom is invaluable. I can decide when to work, and when not to. I am available for my family whenever they want me. It is a #benefit that my spouse does not enjoy. But yes, it's not as easy as it sounds.

This had been there in #India for quite some time now. But post covid, this has become more evident, as more people are opting for working from anywhere. Many companies have long-term plans to set up #remote work environments. As the matter of fact is – many people want to continue working remotely, at least on a part-time basis.

We saw nearly every industry transition to an online format. #Teleworking has become a luxury that has now become affordable to larger sections. It has its benefits and disadvantages and challenges too.

One can be their own boss. This working model gives a better #worklifebalance. A frequent complaint in today’s world is the difficulty in striking a good work-life balance. Working ten or more hours a day, commuting one or more hours on the gridlocked roads, pressure to meet targets, and compromised food habits, leaves them with no energy for their loved ones. And it’s like living in a pressure cooker-like situation 24//7. More people prefer to lead a less stressful life with a greater sense of comfort and better work-life balance.

Remote workers reported increased productivity due to stable mental, physical, and psychological conditions. It has also been found that people save time. People don’t feel micromanaged by their employers. This helps in developing a positive feeling towards organization and leadership. This in turn makes the employee become more loyal and dedicated. This saves employers and business owners save money on rent, utilities, etc.

All this being said, there are some challenges of working anywhere. The distractions are many. It is easy to lose focus on the work. A dedicated workspace, disciplined work schedule and a routine can be quite helpful.

One might feel lonely and isolated while working remotely. Becoming a part of a vibrant group or community can save you from this. Spend time with family and friends. Once in a while, go out and attend a meeting or meetup. A mastermind group also is extremely useful. I am part of a few NGOs like WICCI - Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry , SHEROES and entrepreneur #communities like Small Business India, Marvelous Women Entrepreneurs. There are fun groups as well.

And yes, there could be other challenges like electricity and internet outage, poor or no internet connection, unexpected guests, marketing calls, and so on. One needs to make some adjustments to a few things when you are getting some other facilities.

You need to set a clear #boundary between work and life. Else, it may turn messy!

Finally, it all boils down to individual preferences.

Even today, I run an entrepreneurship academy - Marvelous Entrepreneurs Academy, where we help women to start, build, and grow a business around their passion or expertise from the comforts of their homes. Our next cohort starts from September 5th onwards. If you are interested, then message me for details. If you know someone whom you think would benefit from this, kindly share this info with them.