You’re not alone.
The American job market is trending towards outsourcing and virtual work, which is excellent news for those of us looking for flexibility with our schedule!
Prior to having our first child, my husband and I both worked and planned to do so after we had kids. However, returning to work after my maternity leave was excruciating. I live in a very populated area where what should be a 30 minute commute, turns into a 2 hour commute most days due to traffic. I rarely saw my young son during the week, and it broke my heart. I felt torn between providing for my son, but also desperately wanting to be present for his childhood. After much discussion, my husband suggested I look into virtual opportunities. It was the perfect solution, but I had no idea where to start or even if virtual work would be possible for me.
I visited job boards, but was quickly overwhelmed and intimidated.
Fast-forward three years. I am sitting at my kitchen table, working in my virtual office, while my two little ones color next to me. I definitely feel like I have the best of both worlds and believe that many others could benefit from virtual work. Since making the transition to working virtually I’ve learned quite a bit that would be helpful to anyone considering making the switch!
Did you know:
- Remote work can actually increase productivity. It can cut down on time wasted on employees gossiping or impromptu meetings. It allows for a work environment that can be tailored to your own needs so you can maximize productivity.
- Fewer distractions lead to higher efficiency. You can accomplish more work in less time.
- It can lower stress and boost your overall well-being. During a recent study, 82% of telecommuters reported lower stress levels which is not only good for the workers, but also for the companies that employ them.
- It positively impacts the environment by decreasing the need for commuting to and from the office.
- Virtual work opportunities are on the rise. Between 2005 and 2012 the demand for virtual work increased 79%! And it’s only continued to increase each year. In a survey of 1,000 hiring managers, 55% agree that remote work for full time employees is beneficial and expect up to 38% of their full time employees to work remotely within the next decade.
Even if you’re not a mom who misses spending time with her children, most people can benefit from virtual work in some capacity. The transition was much easier than I thought, and I can safely say I am much more productive because I am not worried about my commute and my son (and now daughter) being so far away.
