Are you a woman thinking about telecommuting? Yes, I said telecommuting! What exactly is a telecommuter? Well, as a telecommuter, I’ve had the pleasure of working remotely for the past ten years. Whether you are contemplating working from the comfort of your own home or just searching for a little bit of personal experience as a telecommuter, you have come to the right place!

The first thing one should understand regarding telecommuting is that it’s often times regarded as an easier way of working, since it’s at a home office. However, do not be deceived by this perception. Remote workers work just as hard, if not harder, than those in an office setting. In a home environment, a worker may feel overwhelmed by the amount of work assigned and making sure work is done in an exceptional manner. Telecommuters usually take fewer breaks in between working, as there is no office environment to distract the daily schedule. More work may be completed by a telecommuter because there is a need to excel and prove one may work at home with little supervision. In addition, in many cases, telecommuters are overlooked for career advancement due to the fact that they are not physically in the office everyday, where merit may be recognized and rewarded.

There are, however positive aspects to being a telecommuter, or I would not still be doing it ten years later. For example, there is more overall concentration in focusing on assigned projects and tasks. Remote staff may set up their office environment exactly as desired. I favor lavender candles, relaxing music and the company of my two boxers, cat and cockatiel. Telecommuters are less likely to call in sick, when compared with workers in a typical office setting. Companies save more money on overhead by allowing workers to work forty hours a week from their personal address.

The most important advice I may provide to aspiring telecommuters is to be sure it’s the right decision for you. Not everyone is cut out to work at home. Some employees enjoy being in an office setting and require direction and the presence of a team environment. Telecommuting requires self-direction and motivation daily. So you can now ask yourself, is telecommuting in the scope of your job preferences, in the near future? Only you can make this important decision!