You may have seen dozens of articles about online work-from-home jobs,
how to become a virtual assistant, or how to start an online store.
While there’s no doubting the appeal of working remotely, there
are many others who’d rather avoid the hustle and bustle of
an office life. This is especially the case for younger generations
nowadays who value their freedom and independence. The trend
of freelancing and online work is therefore something of a mixed
blessing. It offers the potential to monetise your talents
and create a flexible lifestyle, but perhaps not everyone
wants to go down this route.

The Good

Notwithstanding, there are a host of positive possibilities
for those who do venture into the online work world. Here are
just some of the perks.

Flexibility

Perhaps the biggest plus point of working remotely is the
flexibility it offers. You can operate anywhere, any time and
be your own boss, albeit possibly under greater pressure than
you’re used to. Even if you need to pause for a few hours before
your next meeting to catch up on some work, you’re unlikely
to feel guilty or disappointed about taking a short break. There
are no schedules to clash with, no one to disturb you and your
ideas can flow without interruption.

More Freedom

Another positive aspect is the amount of freedom that working
remotely entails. You no longer need to worry about commuting
(unless you want to) and you can structure your routine around
your personal preferences, not those of your employer. Traveling
is also a significant part of the job, so you’ll often find yourself
in different time zones and travelling to different places. This
can be a very positive experience if you enjoy exploring different
cultures and meeting new people. Flexibility is, in fact, one
of the key pillars supporting the growth of remote working. In
a remote working environment, people are empowered to behave
and operate with a greater degree of independence, creativity
and trust. This is in large part because they no longer feel
bound to a physical space and the people with whom they associate
most closely.

More Balanced Life

Another appealing feature of remote working is how it can
make a more balanced life. For those who are driven by their
work, the stress levels can be high, especially at first. Remote
working allows you to reduce your workload (and therefore the
amount of stress you experience) by taking on only the tasks that
interest you. You don’t need to be distracted by worrying about
finances or the demands of others. The more you focus on
yourself and your own needs, the more you’ll find that you
can achieve your desired results. This in turn can lead you
to a more balanced life. The ability to work remotely can also
be very beneficial to those who are independently wealthy or
well-off. You no longer have to feel the need to work long hours
just to make ends meet, which can leave you drained and unfulfilled.

Monetising Your Talents

Another advantage of working remotely is how it can potentially
monetise your talents, particularly if you’re an expert in
a certain field. If you can prove to potential clients that you
can perform well in a remote environment (i.e. without needing
close supervision), it can open up lucrative opportunities for
you. For example, if you’re an expert graphic designer, you might
be able to negotiate a higher rate with your client. If you
use the right software, you could even take on multiple clients
and get paid separately for each project you complete, without
having to worry about billing or getting paid by the hour. Not
only can remote working offer you more flexibility, it can also
open up monetisation routes that you might not have considered.

Overall, A Mixed Blessing

On the whole, remote working is a mixed blessing. It offers
the opportunity to have a flexible lifestyle and work on tasks that
interest you, but perhaps not everyone will be able to take advantage
of this. Those who want a traditional office environment and
a 9 to 5 job, probably aren’t going to be too happy about the
idea of working remotely, however much they might need the flexibility
that comes with it. Noteworthy too is that many employers now see
the value in flexible working and are looking for ways to provide
this, whether through offering remote working or creating hybrid
working environments, where employees can work either remotely or
in a traditional office environment, as circumstances and preferences
dictate.