There are plenty of easy ways to turn your apartment into a home, and sometimes you also need to turn it into an office. An ever-growing number of professionals work from home at least some of the time, so it’s important to have a good system in place. Prepare yourself to work from home by learning more about the positives and negatives that come with the experience.
Pros of Working from Home
1 No Traffic Jams
This is one of the greatest things about working from home, especially if you hate Phoenix’s rush hour traffic. You don’t have to spend extra time in the morning and evening just to get from home to the office and back. Getting stuck in a traffic jam is no way to get prepared for work, and it’s not exactly conducive to post-work relaxation either.
2 Save Time and Money
Related to the lack of commute, you won’t have to spend so much time and money on transportation. You’ll also save money by not eating out as much since it’s way easier to prepare lunches for yourself when you work right next to your kitchen. Use the time you’d normally be commuting to cook, clean up, or do whatever else you want.
3 Get Cozy
Your morning routine gets a lot less stressful when there’s no need to dress to impress. If your hair isn’t cooperating, don’t worry about it. Unless you have a video call, no one will have to know that you’re still in your pajamas. Some people feel more productive when they dress up anyway, but at least you can take casual Friday to a whole new level.
4 Control the Environment
There are plenty of fun offices in the Phoenix area, but just as many uninspired work environments. Don’t get dragged down by dull surroundings– find the perfect apartment and make it your productivity war room.
5 Freedom and Flexibility
Depending on your job, working from home can also mean you don’t have set hours. As long as you get your work done, and you’re available when people need to reach you, the rest is up to you.
Cons of Working from Home
1 Mixes Business with Pleasure
When you work from home, that means you also sleep at work. You also eat at work and invite friends over to your work. At least, that’s how it can start to feel if you have trouble knowing when to mentally punch out for the day. It’s best to preserve your private life by designating a separate area for work and only using it for that purpose. An extra room for your office might do wonders for your peace of mind.
2 No Watercooler Talk
You might not realize how much you can miss social interactions around the office. Even if you’re not best friends with your coworkers, it’s nice to have someone to talk to sometimes. When working from home, you may have to try harder to stay connected with people or try working from public places like coffee shops on occasion.
3 People Can’t Tell If You’re Working
If someone sends you an email and you don’t respond immediately, they might start to imagine that you’re playing hooky. Since they can’t see you at your desk, let them know you’re present by responding quickly, even if it’s just to say you’ll get back to them soon.
4 You Miss Out on Details
You might be great at online communication, but some of your colleagues probably aren’t. This can make it hard to keep up with everything, especially if everyone else is together at the office. Try to get occasional face time when it’s possible, and don’t hesitate to pick up the phone or conference into a meeting. Demonstrate an effort to stay informed, and it will help coworkers remember to keep you in the loop.
5 Immobilizing
Some people who work from home don’t get out much at all. It can be tempting to stay in all day and work while reclining, but that’s bad for your body in both the short and long term. Luckily, you have a more flexible schedule, so with a little bit of discipline, you’ll be able to plan daily workouts or walks. If you start to develop back pain, it might be your body missing the ergonomic chairs back at the old office.
Apartments for Rent in Arizona
Working from home is a lot more enjoyable when you love your home. You’ll be spending 40 extra hours a week at your apartment, which can be great when you’ve got the right amenities. Contact us today to learn about our best floor plans for home office setups.