Thanks to technology and collaboration tools, more companies allow employees to switch to remote working. In fact, many residents in Dripping Springs’ Caliterra community are remote workers.
And they’re in good company according to an IWG study mentioned in this CNBC article that says 70 percent of people around the world work remotely at least once a week.
The Rise of Remote Working
Moreover, The New York Times references a Gallup survey, which reports that 43 percent of working Americans telecommute for at least some of the time. It’s not surprising that telecommuting is growing considering that 40 percent more U.S. employers offer flexible workspace options according to Global Workplace Analytics.
The report finds that half of the U.S. workforce has a job that lends itself to remote work at least part-time. So, it’s most likely that yours is one of them.
Even Fortune 1000 companies know the value of remote working. About 50 to 60 percent of employees in these top companies are not working at their desk. And Americans want this flexibility as 80 to 90 percent of the American workforce says they want to work remotely at least part of the time.
An article in The Wall Street Journal discusses how people have moved from expensive cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco for more affordable cities like Austin, Texas; Boise, Idaho; and Denver. Their quality of life increases and they’re not living from paycheck to paycheck because of expensive housing.
This is great news for people seeking to live in quaint towns and small cities like Dripping Springs that are close enough to big-city resources and companies to go there whenever they want.
The Benefits of Remote Working
One of the biggest benefits of remote working is flexibility. You’re not required to show up in an office and stay there for set times. People who successfully work remotely get the work done on time. Leaders don’t care how it gets done as long as it’s done by the deadline.
Mobile technology makes it possible to work from anywhere and communicate with others in a myriad of ways. Another benefit is no commute. You can wake up and get right to work. Or you can go workout and then start working.
There’s also no dress code. Wear whatever you want. Some people prefer to dress up to feel more professional. Others are perfectly happy in shorts and a tee. Some work in pajamas. The only times you need to be presentable are for a videoconference and any in-person meetings.
In a #RemoteChat on Twitter, many of the participants say they get sick far fewer than they did when they worked in an office. And they eat healthier since there is no temptation of candy jars or going out for lunch. Remote work gives you more opportunities for working out as you’re not stuck going very early before work or late after work.
How to Make the Most of Working Remotely
Remote working isn’t for everyone. Extroverts, for one, thrive being around people constantly. Perhaps, working remotely once or twice a week would be a good way to compromise and take a break from commuting.
Regular remote workers say the most important advice is to create a space specifically for work. If possible, set up a home office with four walls. It draws the line between home and work. When you leave the office, you’re done working.
Productive remote workers are self-motivated. They don’t need someone to push them to do the work. They say it’s easier to focus because you’re not distracted by people walking and talking like in an office. If you don’t have a room to turn into an office, try to set up a workstation that you designate as the office area.
Or maybe you’re already looking for a home in the countryside where Austin and San Marcos city limits are only 20 to 30 miles away. Many of the new homes in Caliterra have a perfect space to turn into an office.
