What it’s like to work remotely
Sure, staying productive all day while still in your favorite jammies can be alluring, but there are downsides. A veteran of working remotely offers insights into its pluses and minuses.
It’s 5 p.m. on a Monday, and I’m still wearing pajamas, surrounded by a laptop, a dog and a bag of Chex Mix.
Three hours ago, I watched an episode of “Chicago Fire” while eating leftover pizza for lunch on the couch. I haven’t showered in a few days, and my neighbors probably wonder if I’m unemployed.
Sound appealing? You might enjoy being a remote worker.
Working from home might seem like a dream opportunity for people who have long commutes or young children or who hate early mornings. I thought I had hit the jackpot with a job at IBM that allowed me to work from home five days a week.
As of today, I’ve survived about 774 business days working remotely. As an extrovert, the past three years have been isolating and frustrating, though illuminating about my self-motivation. Remote workers are a special breed of employee, but it’s not the best situation for everyone.
Here’s how to know whether you can handle working from home-or things to which you can relate if you’re a remote worker:
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