Working from home is a dream come true for many people. You get to work in your pajamas, you don’t have to commute, and you can be as productive as you want.
There are many popular perks to working from home, including avoiding long commutes, saving on gas, and getting auto insurance discounts for telecommuters.
But working from home may also offer plenty of perks you may not know about, like the opportunity to build a stronger sense of discipline, self-reliance, and self-confidence. While you may not get to enjoy being around coworkers, learning to rely on yourself to get the job done is an integral skill taught (and often demanded by) working from home.
That said, let’s take a look at some more perks of working from home.
You Get to Build a Stronger Relationship with Your Family
When you work from home, you’re (usually) always around those you love. This can easily afford you more opportunities to spend with them: Perhaps you play with the kids or spend some quality time with your spouse while you take your lunch break.
And, when work gets slow, you may also be able to spend more time with your family.
You Save on Commuting Time and Costs
Working from home can save you money in a number of ways, most especially when it comes to travel.
Since you’re not driving into work, you don’t have to worry about budgeting for the gas.
You’ll also save miles on your car, miles that can be used for other purposes like pleasure trips or running important errands.
You’ll (Likely) Experience Less Stress
Working from home can likely reduce your stress levels because you won’t have to deal with the stress of commuting to and from work, interacting with co-workers or customers in person, or having to work in a generic office environment with many distractions.
You can also create an environment at home that is conducive to productivity without the noise and chaos of an office environment.
For example, you could turn an unused room in your home into your own personal office, and you can add or remove as many amenities as you’d like to help you stay focused and productive.
You Save on Auto Insurance With Discounts for Telecommuters
Working from home can net you a discount on your auto insurance. Many insurance companies offer this discount to people who work from home and use their vehicles only occasionally. You can also opt for pay-per-mile auto insurance coverage.
You may be required to install a device, such as a car tracking device, that records the miles you drive in your vehicle.
This device will track your driving and send information to your insurance company. Once your company receives the data, they’ll determine whether or not to offer you a discount based on how often you drive.
You’ll Likely Enjoy Convenient Working Hours
Working from home may give you control over your schedule, which means you can set your own convenient hours.
You might also be able to set your own deadlines based on what works best for you and depending on what your employer (if you’re not self-employed) allows. This can be especially beneficial if you have a family and want to set specific hours that you’re available to them.
You May Experience Improved Productivity
Working from home can improve your productivity. This is because you don’t have to deal with the distractions of an office environment.
You don’t have to worry about co-workers stopping by to chat or attending team meetings. You can use this time to really focus on your work and get more done in less time.
When working from home, you’ll have more freedom to personalize your workspace. You don’t have to follow the same rules that apply to an office setting.
Ultimately, working from home allows you to take control of your productivity by creating a workspace that works best for you.
No Distractions During Work Hours
Working from home allows you to avoid the distractions of an office setting. This means you don’t have to put up with annoying co-workers or supervisors who love to talk.
You can avoid many of the distractions that often plague office environments.
You’ll Build Self-Discipline
You’ll need to be dedicated to your work and disciplined enough to focus without the distractions of an office setting. You’ll also need to be self-disciplined enough to avoid the temptation to spend time engaging in non-work-related activities.
This means you need to be committed to working and not letting distractions get in your way. This is a process that takes time and training but yields exponential rewards in the long run.
You Get to Take Your Work With You
If you work from home in the summer or live in a warm climate year-round, you can take your work outside. Your “home office” doesn’t have to be confined to your desk or computer.
You can do some of your work outside. This is especially helpful when working on short deadlines or projects that require fresh air and sunlight.
Working from outside can help you recharge and refresh while getting much-needed fresh air. You’re also likely to notice increased productivity as a result of being outside and feeling inspired by the fresh air and fewer distractions.
You Get to Decide What to Listen To
In an office, you probably have to listen to whatever the group wants to listen to if you’re even allowed to listen to music at all.
You might be able to wear headphones to listen to what you want to. But at home, you can listen to your favorite music or work with the TV playing in the background.
While your ability to do this will depend on the type of work you do, you will have more control over background noise.
Is working from home right for you?
Working from home can give you the freedom to work when and how you want. It can also help reduce your stress levels, save you money on commuting costs, and give you plenty of control over your schedule.
It can even help you improve your productivity and get more done in less time. While it may not be right for everyone, it’s certainly worth looking into if you have the opportunity. It is now the perfect time for you to explore the world of online jobs.
Luke Williams writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, AutoInsurance.org. His passions include insurance and helping others adjust to the work-from-home lifestyle.
