Posted by Mike Smith :: October 9, 2007 @ 5:52 amWhile the notion of telecommuting may conjure images of an unshaven man in sweatpants working to his own schedule without regard for the real world, my own experiences have been much different, though equally satisfying.
I have been telecommuting to my day job for about two years now. Working for a company with many locations yielded itself well to the arrangement. After showing that I could successfully manage projects at other company locations, selling the idea of working from home became a much easier proposition.
The main advantages of telecommuting that people normally think of include: not wasting time commuting, no wear and tear on the car, not having a boss watching over you all day long, and having a more flexible schedule. Another is the instant rise in productivity that you’ll likely find without the distractions of the office. Granted, working from home has its own distractions, but not having a coworker stopping by every five minutes to chat or suggest a coffee break can save a ton of time throughout the day. I’m in control of staying focused on a task until it is completed, which means that it’s normally done much more quickly.
Another huge advantage of telecommuting is one that was discussed in detail in Tim Ferriss’ great book, The 4-Hour Workweek. That advantage is mobility. If I want to work in New York one week and California the next, as long as I have my laptop, cell phone, and some self- discipline (more on that later) I can make it happen. Of course, I can write my posts for the Lending Club blog on the road as well.
A final advantage that stems from mobility is the cost of living adjustment that I’ve been able to achieve. By continuing to receive my Boston-area salary, even after relocating to a small city in the Midwest, I’ve found it much easier to get ahead financially. While I was able to live comfortably in the Northeast, my salary goes much further now, particularly in the area of real estate, where homes cost roughly half as much. My relative wealth, as a result of this relocation, has increased significantly.
While all of the advantages of telecommuting sometimes make it seem too good to be true, I must warn you that it takes a lot of self-discipline. I make a conscious effort, on a daily basis, to get up and pretend like I’m physically going to work. Once I enter my office, it’s all business until quitting time. This requires discipline by my family as well. If the temptations of unsupervised time will be too much for you to handle, then your telecommuting experience will be short lived. If you can stay focused and do your job well in that environment, then telecommuting may raise more than just your happiness level, it may raise your personal wealth as well. What can you do with the extra money you’ll save? You guessed it – invest in some P2P loans on Lending Club!
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