1 More and more people are working the mobile/virtual way these days.

s. The advantages are many and although

2 “more spare time” seems to be one of them, spare time is most likely a sad and unreachable illusion.

3 Going virtual solves many economic issues and is also a seemingly green or pro-environmental alternative.

4 Pros
5 • Less traffic = less pollution = less time lost due to commuting
6 • Less company overhead = company money saved = more money earned potential
7 • Less time away from home = cut day care costs for aging parents or young children
8 • Less stress = less friction at home and at work = less illness = less time off from work

9 While these all sound great, related and unexpected complications will most likely arise.

10 Cons
11 • Longer working hours, because you can and it’s there.
12 • Disrupted sleep because minds are preoccupied and wander to your in-house, virtual office more often and more
13 easily.
14 • Requires individuals to be self-driven and enterprising -> not everyone is.
15 • Less commitment to colleagues and employers, as well as to clients or customers due to less developed personal
16 relationships and less face-to-face interaction.

17 These disadvantages are weighty but with so many clear-cut advantages, there has to be a way to make it work.
18 Given the continuing state of the economy, it would appear that going virtual is becoming more popular and will
19 probably be around for a while, if not forever.

20 5 Rules for Going Virtual — How to Make it Work

21 1. Know Your Role. If you are self-employed or work with a small group, clearly define all roles. Written job
22 descriptions and /or contracts with specific duties outlined will distribute the workload evenly while creating and
23 presenting clear expectations for all.

24 2. Have Defined Working Hours.

25 Allotting time for email, research, and conference calls will assist in efforts to not overdo it. Rules like, “No computer
26 after 7pm” may seem unreasonable at first but will force you to be more productive during daytime or defined
27 working hours.

28 3. DO NOT Have Your Computer in your Bedroom.

29 How can you possibly rest soundly with a constant work reminder just a few feet away? When I first started working
30 virtually four years ago, I fell into terrible sleeping habits. It wasn’t until I moved my computer out of my room that I
31 was able to sleep soundly for my necessary 6-7 hours each night.

32 4. Meet Face-to-Face.
33 Make an effort to meet with co-workers/employers and clients or customers regularly, face-to-face, as often as is
34 feasible. Find the balance of real life and virtual relationship-building that works for you and those for whom you
35 provide with either a service or a product.

36 5. Set Goals.
37 Create goals which force you to grow and stretch, that are difficult, that improve your work ethic. But it is extremely
38 important to not only make them attainable but also achievable.

39 But working virtually will not work without considerable effort and it most certainly is not easy. Most importantly, it
40 isn’t for everyone.
Source: adapted from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/virtual-office_b_1696098