Most of us know that working from home can be a great way to avoid the daily commute, but it can also be a great way to avoid work altogether. According to a study by Stanford University, people who work from home are less productive than those who work in an office. So why are so many of us drawn to the home office?
The Good Things about the Home Office
There are a few reasons. First, working from home can be more comfortable than working in an office. You can wear whatever you want, and you’re not stuck in a tiny cubicle all day.
Second, working from home can be more flexible than working in an office. You can take breaks whenever you want, and you don’t have to ask permission to take a sick day.
Other benefits include not having to pay for child care, being able to take care of pets, avoiding office politics, and worrying about what to cook for the next company potluck you don’t want to attend.
For some self-employed professionals, working from home is one of the most liberating things. Unlike company remote workers, these individuals don’t have a boss to manage them and are free to set their schedules as they please. But is working from home really all it’s cut out to be?
The Bad Things about the Home Office
Why isn’t working from home the dream for more of us? No need to commute, no need to dress up for work (or at all), and the ability to set your own schedule. Well, here’s the reality.
Distractions
Let’s be honest! Many things distract us and take our attention away at home. You’ve probably experienced some of these yourself.
Maybe you want to binge-watch your favorite Netflix series, do laundry, take a nap, and of course, there’s the Internet and social media to take your attention away. As you find yourself endlessly scrolling through the latest Instagram reels, you suddenly realize that almost half the day has gone by, and you’ve accomplished nothing. And if you have kids at home, the distractions can be overwhelming.
Motivation
Whether it’s losing weight, completing an assignment, or accomplishing your professional goals, motivation is a formidable skill to master, and it’s especially harder for those of us who are working for ourselves.
When we’re our own boss, it’s easy to slack off and put things off until tomorrow because there are no immediate consequences. This is one of the biggest pitfalls of working from home and one of the main reasons so many fail to meet their goals.
Loneliness
Loneliness is a big one, especially for extroverts. Although working from the comfort of your home has its perks, it can also be quite isolating. It’s easy to go days and weeks without seeing another human being. Too much isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
If you have an introverted personality, this can seem like even a better reason to work from home; however, too much isolation can have negative consequences on your emotional and physical health. We all need to be careful with how much time we spend alone and make sure we find the time to connect with our friends and family.
You’re Less Productive than you Think
It’s easy to think that working from home will lead to greater productivity. After all, without the distractions of a busy office and co-workers, you’ll be able to get more done. However, research suggests otherwise.
Isolation leads to less productivity overall, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance becomes more difficult. With no set schedule, it’s easy to work long hours and neglect other important aspects of your life.
It all leads to Burnout
All these factors put together can lead to an overwhelming sense of burnout. While the covid-19 pandemic opened up new opportunities for more of us to work from home, it is not a secret that it took its toll on our mental health. Despite more workers returning to the office, remote work is the only option for some.
Co-working: A Solution to your Work-from-Home Blues
If these things were not an issue, shared office space centers like Onboard Coworking would not exist. While there are other reasons why professionals choose a co-working facility, such as saving on expenses and having access to an array of amenities, having a positive work environment that is conducive to your work is a major reason why people choose a membership.
How can Onboard Coworking help you beat the work-from-home burnout?
We have various solutions for your business, such as open desks (“hot desking”), private offices, meeting rooms, and a wide array of modern office amenities. More importantly, we strive to make our offices an environment where you can get the external stimulation you’re missing at home while increasing your productivity and having a better sense of working hours from your personal time.
Onboard Coworking is the office that you actually want to go to!
Send us a message at info@onboardcoworking.com or give us a call at (626) 515-5851.
