Those who have started working from home as a change from working in an office environment are finding their expectations might not be the reality. The life of a work from home job can be a rewarding experience if you put in the hard work and stay up-to-date with your remote team members.
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What are some remote work expectations that aren’t the reality?
If you’re expecting working from home to be a breeze compared to a 9 to 5 schedule at the office, you could be setting yourself up for failure. Let’s take a look at some of the misconceptions of remote work and how to set realistic expectations for the following:
- Work Schedule
- Time Spent Working
- Work-Life Balance
1) Work Schedule
Expectation: “There’s no need for an alarm clock when you can start the day when you want!”
Reality: Remote jobs still have set office hours! There are still project deadlines to meet and work hours to respect which makes it efficient for remote workers to collaborate with each other. Conference calls and virtual meetings still have a place on the calendar during these hours.
2) Time Spent Working
Expectation: “You can stop working whenever you want, finish your favorite Netflix show, and pick up where you left off at any time!”
Reality: You won’t be working one day a week and calling it a day. In fact, when you work remotely you’ll probably find yourself working from early hours in the morning to late at night. Tasks that aren’t completed from the day before can end up becoming work to tend to over the weekend. Get a solid grasp of how you can maximize productivity while working from home.
3) Work-Life Balance
Expectation: “There’s no way you could get burnt out while working from home!”
Reality: Burnout can happen to anyone, even when you work from home. It’s important to tend to your family and personal life for your wellbeing. While remote work comes with many conveniences, it can be easy to slip into overworking without a change in scenery.
Pro Tip: Create an effective dedicated work-space in your home office space so that you can separate work from the distractions of home life.
Setting Remote Work Expectations to Thrive in Reality
Your work from home life can be a great experience if you set the right expectations and priorities. Remember to communicate effectively with your remote team and set a consistent schedule that works for you and your business.
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