Is Working on Your Own Right For You?
Working on your own as a remote worker or as a freelancer can be a freeing, rewarding experience. You don’t have a manager hovering over your shoulder throughout the day and can take your lunch breaks whenever and wherever you like.
However, some folks may find that working alone is isolating. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and plummeting productivity.
So, before you leap out into the remote or freelance world, consider whether working on your own is right for you.
Potential Careers
Although most would ideally like to work in a setting where they work on their own, not every career can give you this option. So, before you buy your own PC and monitor, try to secure a job in a profession that allows you to work independently.
If you’re detail-oriented and good with numbers, a career as an accountant may be right for you. Accountants spend most of their workday working through bank statements and compiling tax returns and financial reports.
If you’re looking for a more creative profession, you may want to pursue a career in graphic design or video editing. Graphic designers create virtual assets for all kinds of businesses, while video editors work on advertisements and commercials. The overlap in skills means that you may find yourself designing a logo for a sports team in the morning and a short film for a local restaurant in the evening.
Earning Passive Income
Conversely, if you like working independently and creating your own schedule, freelance work may be the option for you. You can control your work day and don’t have to worry about jumping through meaningless hoops. However, you can’t work 24/7 and you’ll still need to find a way to make ends meet.
If you’re worried about your income — or just want to earn a little extra — consider utilizing passive income strategies. Consider entry-level dividend investing and property investment. Investing your leftover earnings can be a great way to grow your financial portfolio and alleviate the financial worries you may face as a freelancer.
When freelancing, you can quickly shift gears and prioritize the income channel that needs the most attention. This is particularly important if you plan on investing, as you may need to suddenly respond to changes in the market. Being self-employed gives you the scope to adjust your daily schedule and out of any immediate financial fires.
Work from Home
So far, working on your own sounds rosy. There are plenty of benefits such as being able to work from your couch in your pajamas. However, working from home can quickly become an isolating, lonely experience. It’s easy to go entire days without setting foot outside and you can quickly fall into the trap of workaholism.
You can overcome loneliness when working remotely by finding new ways to meet and interact with people. Consider joining a local sports team or community-oriented group in your area. Alternatively, you can choose to work from a coffee shop or in a coworking space when you start to feel low.
Working on your own is particularly beneficial if you have a hobby that you care about more than your professional life. Since you won’t have commuting time to worry about, you have more time to dedicate to your personal life and some of these hobbies. If, for example, you run a weekly tabletop game night for your friends, you can spend more time preparing adventures and building worlds for them to explore. Or, if you’re a fitness fanatic, you can spend more of your free time at the gym.
Of course, you’ll still need to work hard when you’re “at work”. But, if you’re responsible and committed to your professional success, then working on your own might be the best thing for you.
Conclusion
Working on your own can be deeply rewarding. As your own boss, you can set your own schedule and don’t have to worry about attending unnecessary meetings or responding to emails outside of your work hours. As a remote worker, you can enjoy the structure of an office job but none of the detriments like a long commute time. However, working on your own isn’t right for everyone. If you’re prone to overworking, you may find that you go days without stepping foot outside your home. Be sure to counteract this by building a life outside of your work life that you find fulfilling and fun.