60 - Working From Home vs Working From the Office

Today on the Scale Your Small Business Podcast with Jillian Flodstrom, we’re breaking down the pros and cons of working from home versus working from an office. There are benefits and challenges with both, and especially as we handle the pandemic, this question is more relevant than ever.    One of the first things you can consider when comparing working from home and from an office is commuting. If you’re spending all your time running around, driving from location to location, you’re losing valuable time that could be spent doing something far more productive. By working from home, you allow yourself that time back.    Secondly is workflow. When you work from home, you’re able to make your hours work for you. If you’re an early bird or a night-owl, you can take time to focus on priorities other than work without sacrificing any productivity.    Next, is attire and dress code. When you’re working from home, you can wear pretty much whatever you want. This may be great for you, but over time, many will find that it impacts their productivity. Consider if you’re the kind of person that needs to get ready from the get-go in order to get things done.   A primary reason many people choose to work from home is for family and pets. You’re able to give them the time they need to tend to their needs while being able to work at the same time. This is a very important aspect for many business owner’s work-life balance and should be considered.   Working from home allows you to take breaks when you need them. You’re able to go for a walk, stretch, get some sun, whatever you need to do to decompress. Conversely, when you’re working from an office, there are absolutely no distractions or uninterrupted.   Considering the cost is a huge part of working from either home or an office. Make sure you’re clear on the cost of renting an office space and everything associated with having that space.    Finally, the most important thing to consider is understanding that you’re sharing a space when you’re working from home. With your kids, partner, pets, visitors, you name it--you share it. It can be difficult to have professional phone calls with this number of distractions. At an office, you can sit down and work without worrying about sharing your space or attention.     Key Takeaways   You’re sharing a space when you’re working from home. With your kids, partner, pets, visitors, you name it--you share it. At an office, you can sit down and work without worrying about sharing your space or attention.   By working from home, you allow yourself to work when it makes sense for you, no matter the time of day.  Consider costs, work-life balance, and comfort v.s. productivity when choosing to work from an office or home.