Working online is not everyone's cup of tea, and it certainly isn't for those who think it's a piece of cake.
I've had people tell me with great enthusiasm that they love working online, only to give up after just one week. Some managed to last a few months before calling it quits. Slowly but surely, they realized that working with nobody else around except their pets, and occasionally chatting with someone on the other side of the world via Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. wasn't quite what they had in mind.
So, is working online right for you?
Before you answer that question, let me share some sad truths about online jobs.
But first, let's take a moment to digest this wise quote: "There are no gains without pains."
Now that we're mentally prepared for some sad stuff, here are the harsh realities of work-at-home or online jobs:
1. Isolation: When you work online, it can get pretty lonely. It's just you and your computer most of the time. Personally, my son goes to school during the day, so it's usually just me and my lazy yet irresistibly cute cat keeping me company. If you don't have a pet, well...it's just you and your dependable (hopefully not too ancient) computer.
For some people, this isolation can be depressing because we humans are social creatures. You'll miss the face-to-face interactions that come with working in a regular working environment. If you're used to being surrounded by colleagues in an office setting, chances are you'll long for that camaraderie and team spirit. It can be disconcerting and affect your job satisfaction and performance...maybe even lead to depression!
So, if you're considering working online, make sure you're comfortable being alone without feeling lonely. Thankfully, I'm totally cool with it! 😊
2. Distractions and addiction to distractions: Picture this — kids running around, a spouse or partner vying for attention, family members dropping by unannounced, friends calling to chat, the TV blaring in the background, the never-ending stream of news online, and let's not forget social media! Even after 15 years of working online, I still struggle with this. My son Kevin, Facebook, Instagram, and online news are absolutely my distraction addictions and my arch nemeses when it comes to staying focused. 😅
If you want to venture into the realm of working from home, you'll need to master the art of managing distractions effectively. Otherwise, you'll be busy-looking but accomplishing very little.
3. Home Sweet Home Temptations: Ahh...the challenge of separating work from home. Those household chores that beckon, the needs of your loved ones demanding attention – they can be hard to ignore!
And let's not forget about spouses, partners, kids, friends...even pets! They need constant reminders that just because you're based at home doesn't mean you're available for every chore or chitchat session! 😄
4. Your Work Never Ends: Many teleworkers find themselves overworked and without family time. It's ironic how we opt for working from home so we can be there for our families whenever they need us...only to end up neglecting our own quality time.
Most virtual workers don't have fixed days off. Since our schedules are flexible, we tend to spread our workload throughout the entire week – weekends included. There's always something that needs doing. And especially for freelancers like me, even if we want to take a day off...well tough luck! No work means no income.
When I first started out working online, I found myself putting in 80-90 hours per week! No wonder I have a head full of grey hair now. Just kidding. I'm just getting a little older, that's why. 😄 My love life took a hit, and my social life was non-existent. Sometimes, I couldn't even find the time to comb my hair for days because work had taken over my entire existence. It was a terrible way to live!
Thankfully, I learned my lesson and made changes. But it's something you'll need to seriously consider and manage if you're thinking about diving into the world of online work.
So there you have it – the 4 sad truths about working from home and online jobs:
1. Isolation or feeling alone and lonely
2. Distractions and the addiction to distractions
3. Home sweet home temptations
4. Endless work hours
Now, after learning all these sad truths, are you still interested in working online? Are you ready to be a willing victim? 😄
I'm not here to discourage you from pursuing online jobs, but these are the hard facts – nothing sugar-coated. However, despite the challenges, there are plenty of gains to be had as well. I like to call them the happy truths of online jobs! Click here to check them out.
And if you want to delve deeper and learn how to land your first online job, click here.
P.S. If you're an overwhelmed entrepreneur, a small business owner, or a private practice owner, looking for ways to run and grow your business without drowning in technical (and non-technical) overwhelm, then what you need is a Proactive Virtual Assistant or an Online Business Manager. I'd be more than happy to chat with you about it. Email me at queen@yourbusinessally.com.
P.P.S. For those aspiring Virtual Assistants out there, don't worry – I've got lots of great stuff for you too! Check out the Online Job Academy by clicking here.