The pandemic brought about the normalisation of working from home. This new concept has stayed within the normality of a lot of businesses. So, what are the advantages of working from home and why has this way of working become so attractive?
There are definitely disadvantages with working from home like extra distractions and not being able to socialise with colleagues. Working from the office is still popular but working from home has been something that is offered by a lot of businesses even before the pandemic. Here are the advantages of working from home:
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No commute
Everyone rushing to work simultaneously makes the roads congested, adding stress and hours to your day. Those hours you save from not doing the commute can be used on that exercise you want to do but are always too tired from commuting to and from work.
Reducing people commuting to work no doubt lowers individual carbon footprint. The other benefit of the reduction in traffic is a reduction in rush hour. Who can complain about that?
Reducing your expense
Having to walk to the end of your garden means fewer costs for travel, buying lunch or coffee on the way to work. While there will be an increase in your electric bill and an initial outlay, the overall cost of working will only increase the cash in your wallet.
Design your own office space
The office space at home is yours to decorate as you want. Unlike a lot of offices that seem to be emotionless, you can bring as much colour and life as you want to the place. You can get your preferred office equipment or stand up desk for your own office space; this is an option that you are not likely to have when working at the office.
Having an office in the house can be quite tricky, especially if there are children around. Having one down the end of the garden can give you the quiet space you need to increase your productivity. It also gives you the privacy you need for those vital video calls. This is where a prefab ADU can be useful; it is a backyard office that can give you dedicated space for doing office work.
More quality time with the family
Reducing your working day, especially with the commute, can give you more time and energy to do what you want, like spending quality time with the family. The backyard office can help to make the work-balance lifestyle more achievable.
Being in your backyard can allow the flexibility to change you 9-5 core hours. For example, if there is an emergency that is easier to deal with or that school play your child is in. Or, go for a ten-minute walk to think about that work-related problem you are trying to resolve.
Getting your daily exercise
Studies show the average person spends 5 hours and 41 minutes sitting daily. Therefore, having an office in your backyard helps to provide an environment where more regular exercise during the day is possible. In turn, having frequent exercise breaks can increase productivity. This is probably something that is not suitable at the office but something that you can add to your schedule easily when working from home.
Wear what you want
Having your own office means having your own dress code rules. So, if you fancy dressing up as superman or superwoman one day, go for it. Or you have that video call where you need a suit, but you can leave your tracksuit bottoms on.
Save space
By having the office in the backyard, you can get that spare room back. Just make sure the children don’t grab it before you do.
The office can always double up as a guest room for when you want to have people around at the weekend. It’s a great quiet space for that meditation you want to do or just spending quality one-on-one time with a child while it’s raining outside.
While there are many advantages of having an office in your backyard, the biggest challenge you have to deal with is self-discipline. I plan my week, give myself the work times I will do, and stick to that. If I need to change them, I will reschedule them into my weekly schedule. I also like to get ready for work, like when I used to go into the office. The most enjoyable part, for me, is being able to finish work and go straight into mum mode and enjoy my children while not being too tired. Working from an office away from home is no longer viable for me. Once you have your space as you like it, you will find it hard to find anywhere more enjoyable to work from.