The U.S. Census Bureau data shows that as of 2022, the number of people working from home has increased from 5 million to 7.5 million, and it's expected to grow further by 2024. Given that more companies are allowing their employees to telecommute part-time and over 80 percent of the U.S. workforce reports wanting to work from home at least part-time, this number is only expected to increase in 2024.

For employers, telecommuting is linked to increased employee job satisfaction and retention. For employees, telecommuting provides flexibility, removes commute times, and allows for greater work-life balance. However, some still struggle to stay productive and motivated while working from home.

So what does this mean for you? If you're looking for a job, consider working from home. And if you're currently employed, see if your employer would allow you to work remotely regularly or occasionally on a project basis — it could be the key to boosting your productivity and job satisfaction!

What does "home is where the work is" mean?

"Home is where the work is" is a saying that means that you should be working from home and not from an office or other place of business. This phrase is often used by people who spend a long time working and traveling, especially those with demanding jobs or hobbies that require them to be away from home for long periods. It can also be used by people in between jobs or careers looking for something new to do with their lives.

The phrase has been used in a variety of ways, including:

- A slogan for those who have decided to work from home

- By those who are trying to apply for jobs at home-based companies

- By those who are trying to convince others that it's okay to work from home

The benefits of working from home

Working from home is growing in popularity, and for a good reason. It's no secret that working from home has its benefits. But what are some things you may not know about working from home? Here are five things to think about before jumping to working remotely.

You'll have more time to spend with your family:

Working from home is great because it allows you to spend more time with your family, but if you don't have a family, you can still enjoy this benefit by spending more time with friends and loved ones. Working from home allows you to go on a lunch date or meet up for drinks after work without having to rush out of the office and get back in time for a meeting.

You can be more productive:

If you're working from home, there will be fewer distractions than at an office where other people are around all day. It means you'll be able to focus on your work without being distracted by someone asking questions or needing help with something that isn't part of your job responsibilities.

You'll probably save money on gas and parking:

Working from home is great because it's usually more cost-effective than commuting to an office daily. According to research by Glassdoor, employees who work remotely save an average of $1,600 per year on transportation expenses.

You'll be less stressed out:

According to recent studies, working from home can reduce stress levels by up to 50 percent. That's because when you work from home, you don't have to deal with traffic, road construction, or other people's schedules — just yours!

More freedom:

You get to be in charge of your schedule and decide how much time you spend on each task to avoid procrastination or burnout. Plus, no managers are breathing down your neck looking for updates about every little thing you do!

You'll get more sleep:

Working remotely means setting your schedule, which can be incredibly helpful for getting plenty of restful sleep every night. Sleep (and lack thereof) has been linked to poor health outcomes such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and depression — so don't underestimate this benefit.

The challenges of working from home:

Working from home means fewer distractions than an office setting would provide; however, there are some drawbacks:

Face-to-face communication - There may be less opportunity for face-to-face communication with coworkers and supervisors, making it difficult to build relationships with them and feel included in the team effort.

Isolation - When you work from home, you can often feel isolated from the rest of the world. Make sure to take breaks throughout the day to interact with other people, even if it's just for a quick chat.

You're your boss. If you don't like how your boss treats you, nothing stops you from leaving. However, if you are self-employed and have no one else to report to, this can lead to more stress and less motivation.

You don't have coworkers around who can help keep each other accountable. In an office setting, everyone knows that they will see each other at some point during the day and will be able to help motivate each other on days when things get tough. If you work alone in your home office, it can be easy to get distracted by other tasks or give up on those days when the motivation isn't there.

It's easy to fall into a routine that leads nowhere but down (what I call "the sloth spiral"). You wake up late, check email for a while, and then start working on something for a few hours before realizing it's noon and time for lunch! After lunch comes email again, followed by another few hours of work before it's time to go home!

Five Tips For Staying Productive When Working From Home

We have compiled five tips to help anyone struggling with production when clocking in from home.

1. Designate a workspace

It is important to allot part of your home for your workspace. You can make that your designated work area if you have an office or spare bedroom. If you're pressed for space, select a corner or desk space as your work area. Make sure the space is comfortable, well-lit, and free of distraction.

According to the psychology of space, by consistently working in this space, your body and mind will start associating your being in that space with you being productive. Then you will naturally become increasingly effective from your home workspace.

2. Change out of your P.J.s

One of the perceived benefits of working from home is that you don't have to dress up anymore like you would when going to the office. While understandable, this kind of mindset can work against your productivity. It would help if you implemented habits that clue your brain into that now is the time to work at home and not relax.

One such habit is to wake up with enough time to shower and change out of your pajamas. Now, I'm not advocating that you don a three-piece suit to work from home, but changing your sleep attire helps you transition out of relaxing mode and into work mode, so you are productive from the moment you begin your workday.

3. Remember to take breaks.

One of the perks of working from home is working without distractions from coworkers and management. However, this can be extreme if you don't also schedule time for your breaks. Overworking yourself leads to mistakes and burnout, which in turn can damage your productivity. So be conscious of your schedule and take breaks to step away from the computer so you can come back refreshed and ready to work.

4. Stay away from social media.

Without a boss or peers looking over your shoulder, it might be tempting to check your social media throughout your workday. After all, it only takes a few moments to open and browse a social media platform. However, social media is also designed to keep you engaged for as much time as possible, which could be a time drain on your workday.

If you find yourself tempted too much, try logging out of all your accounts during the day so you can't just open the pages with a click of a button. Or you could work in a private or "Incognito" browser, so you don't have as many urges to login and scroll through your feeds.

5. Leave the house when you're not working.

One of the biggest benefits of working from home is the lack of commuting. You can be "at work" when your computer turns on, and you're home as soon as you log out. While many people recharge after a long day of work at home, it is very important when you work from home to make yourself leave the house when you're not working.

You could take long walks on your lunch break or get a glass of wine at your local watering hole - get out of the house. Otherwise, you run the risk of burnout if you spend your days and nights at home isolated from the outside.

How do home life and work-life merge together?

For many people, home is where the work is. Whether you're a freelancer, an entrepreneur, or a full-time employee at a company, the lines between personal and professional lives have blurred.

The idea of work-life balance has been around for decades, but in recent years it's become more important than ever before. As technology has advanced, so has our ability to work remotely and on our own time. More and more people are choosing to work from home, away from the hustle and bustle of an office environment.

It's not just freelancers leading this trend: companies like Google and Deloitte have experimented with remote working policies that allow their employees to live anywhere they want — as long as they get the job done by their deadlines.

This blurring between personal and professional lives has led to interesting changes in how we think about our homes and offices.

Final Thought

We live at a time when more people than ever before work from home, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Telecommuting provides countless benefits for employees and employers, as long as you manage your workday and workspace accordingly. By maintaining habits conducive to productivity, you will find it much easier to produce and work efficiently. Do you have what it takes to grow with us? Click this link to see the careers available here in SetSchedule

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