Remote jobs have become more popular in recent years, and for good reason. The opportunity to wear pajamas all day, lounge on the couch, and avoid that nightmarish commute are enough reason to inspire even the staunchest of workaholics to want to work from home. However, working remotely isn’t for everyone. If you’re considering working from home, be sure you’ve got the skill set required to make your venture into remote work successful and productive.
1. Self-Motivation
Self-motivation is arguably one of the most important characteristics of a remote freelancer. As you’re given the facility to schedule your working hours, you’ll need to be extremely focused and self-disciplined. As you’re serving as your own boss, you need to be able to hunker down and get done what needs to be done. Working from home means dealing with a host of hidden distractions. These distractions could come in the form of overdue laundry, family responsibilities, or social meetups with friends who have differing work schedules. It’s safe to say that there will always be distractions at home that you wouldn’t encounter in a normal work environment. Will you be disciplined enough to avoid or ignore these distractions? You’ll be required to create your own schedule and stick to it, which can prove to be more difficult than expected.
2. Critical Thinking Abilities
Working from home means missing out on a good deal of collaboration one would normally find in an office setting. This means remote workers must be able to think critically. You’re required to think creatively on your own, handle brainstorming tasks by yourself, and complete duties with minimal guidance or direction. Critical thinking skills can be a make or break factor in your productivity and ability to produce solid material and can play directly into your performance.
3. Exemplary Communication Skills
Working from home doesn’t mean you’ll be exempt from communicating with peers and supervisors. In fact, it generally means the opposite. You’ll be tasked with articulating your progress and communicating exactly how you’re benefiting your employer. It’s important that your boss is able to track your progress, which is most often completed through employee tracking software. If you’re on a team, be sure to reach out and collaborate with peers. Ask important questions, discuss their movement on a given project, and be sure to remain responsive when prompted by others. You’ll likely be required to communicate through a variety of mediums. From email to text, phone calls to social media posts, and everything in between, your ultimate priority should be maintaining a professional tone throughout all of your communications.
4. Tenacity
Freelancers need to be tenacious; a job won’t just fall into your lap, and it’s important that you put in the time and effort required to pursue positions worthy of your skill set. There are thousands of freelancers out there looking for the same jobs you’re seeking. Looking for online jobs can prove to be a more difficult endeavor than many first-time remote workers assume. For every 10 job applications you turn in and postings you respond to, you may only hear from one employer. It’s important to remain committed to your daily tasks. Write out all you need to accomplish in the morning and dedicate yourself to completing each portion; it’s easy to feel accomplished at home when you’re taking care of non-work related tasks like laundry or repairs. Don’t let this feeling of accomplishment lead you to thinking your work responsibilities are complete. Maintaining a planning schedule can help you stay on track and ensure your professional commitments are covered day after day.
If you’re considering a foray into the world of freelancing, be sure you’re prepared for the challenges that working from home can present. Honing these skills can help you achieve success and make your freelancing dreams a reality.