To work, or not to work remotely, that is the question

The recent situation we’ve been facing for two years has created and boosted the development of new trends. It has all affected our routines, our jobs, our mentality, and most importantly - our lives.

As the years pass, we are experiencing rapid changes that can be confusing, and seem too difficult and complex to keep up with. We have new positions at work, or at least new names for old ones, an alternative system of work, a flexible form of employment, and a brand new attitude to work, business, money, and probably basic needs. Thank to, or because of the fact, that hundreds of thousands of people were kind of grounded for some time at home, their values, priorities, lives, and perspectives have changed enormously. To many, life has turned upside down. To others, it was like winning a lottery ticket to an unexpected reality bringing new opportunities to life. They are obviously supporters and opponents of these changes, and the funny thing is - they are all right.

Let’s take a closer look at remote work. As one of the remote work admirers, I could talk about it befits for hours, but I am also fully aware of the disadvantages and problems it causes to many. So here’s the list of, I believe objective and impartial, that shows both aspects of remote work.

??higher productivity

Your productivity benefits from sitting at home. When you save time and only need a moment in the morning to get ready for work, you might have a better beginning of the day than wasting your time and energy in a traffic jam.

??better work-life balance

Spending time at home even at the computer can be a huge asset when choosing your next job. Once you feel bored or overworked, you can always lie down in your own bed and take a deep breath. I bet it is more effective than just stretching at your desk in the office.

??healthier diet

Probably you often skip meals and stuff yourself with unhealthy snacks and candy bars because you don't have enough time to have a regular meal. Well, when you're home, you always have time. You can keep it healthy and regular.

??more savings

When you spend time at home, you don't have to tank your car or buy a ticket every day. What is more, you also save money because you no longer need to visit a vending machine every time your stomach growls.

??eco-friendly lifestyle

As mentioned before, when you don't need to commute to your office, your environment is less polluted. Additionally, you are not so tired after work, so you are more likely to go for a walk or ride a bike. Doing any sports that do not require using your car is a great benefit to the Earth.

??extra free time

The time you can save can be your shopping time, family time, time for hobbies, friends, or travels, Or even extra hours of sleep. The point it you save it. When you need to get to the office, you just lose your time. Unfortunately, we seldom read a book or learn some new skill on our way to work. Usually, it's just a meaningful way, while we're looking around at others and thinking about the time we'll be on our way back. We're too bored and too tired to do anything productive.

??appreciation and self-confidence

If your manager wants to stay sane, he must learn to trust you. Otherwise, your cooperation is not gonna work. At the same time, you need to understand and appreciate his trust and do your best to prove to him that remote working is a great system. Moreover, you will feel more confident, thanks to your responsibilities and the trust you will receive.

??comfort and freedom

Personally, I am used to wearing high-heels. I do like to wear them. But there is no way someone convinces me they are more comfortable to wear for eight hours straight instead of my fuzzy old socks! The same with gentlemen. I also DO like men wearing suits, but it seems obvious they feel best in shorts and a hoodie.

??multitasking

To some, it may sound like something negative but if you think of how many tasks and household chores you can do, or at least catch up with while working from home, you will never question multitasking again.

??flexible working hours

It is not an obvious profit as some companies prefer you to work during office hours. And that is fine too, but lots of people can do their job when it is most suitable for them. They have deadlines. This system is very convenient for people who hate waking up very early or for people who have an infant at home and need to look after a child while being at home.

??communication gap and no social interactions

Looking at the screen for hours and scrolling your phone in your free time can have negative results when it comes to your speech. We often repeat to people or children who are learning a new language, that if they stop using it, they will start forgetting it very quickly. The truth is, that if we stop speaking our mother tongue, we can ALSO start forgetting some words. Not permanently, but our vocabulary will become poorer and less attractive than it used to be. Not to mention the influence of devices that makes lots of people suffer from social anxiety. To such people, meeting someone in person can be incredibly stressful.

??technology dependency

It can seem perfect to wake up in the morning, make a cup of coffee and work in your pajamas. Sure, but what happens when there is a blackout? Or when your computer breaks down. Then you cannot do your work and usually, you need to take responsibility for it.

??need for high self-discipline

Working at home, spending time in your hoodie, wearing no make-up and preparing dinner in the meantime. That's a lovely plan but if you really want it to work, you have to be able to manage your time and be able to implement some discipline in your workplace. In my humble opinion, it is one of the most important factors that make you either able or unable to perform such a job.

??lack of motivation

While working online you can experience motivation loss. It is connected to the fact that we spend time at home; we do not talk to our colleagues, and we don't really feel the difference between the time at work and time at home. That situation leads

??being overlooked for promotions

Even though your place of work should not affect your prospects, it is important to remember that your boss can not feel so confident about promoting you, and if there is a free vacancy, he can offer it to someone he sees every day in the office. Life is brutal, life's not fair. Unfortunately...

As you can see, there are plenty of aspects that could be discussed. Nevertheless, most of the people must work. Remote working remakes the idea of work and gives a chance to a large group of individuals who could not feel as happy, satisfied, and appreciated at the same time while working in a traditional way in the office.

Let me know in the comment section if you liked this article and share your opinion on this system.

to work remotely (to work outside of a traditional office environment) - pracowa? zdalnie

to face (to confront a difficult task) - zmierzy? si? z czym?

to boost (to encourage something to improve or increase) - zwi?kszy?

rapid (happening in a short time) - gwa?towny

to keep up with (to stay equal with someone or something) - nad??a? za czym?

to be grounded - (to be restricted to your home) - by? uziemionym

enormously (to a very great degree) - ogromnie

to turn upside down (to change completely) - wywróci? do góry nogami

an opponent (a person who disagrees with something) - przeciwnik

a disadvantage (a condition that causes problems) - wada

a vending machine (a machine that dispenses small articles when a coin is inserted) - automat z przek?skami

to growl (to make a low, continuous noise because you of hunger) - burcze?

to commute (to travel some distance between one's home and place of work) - doje?d?a?

fuzzy (having a frizzy texture or appearance) - k?dzie?awy