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Whenever people hear the term remote career, they immediately start to conjure up images of loneliness, isolation, or a boring job. What if I were here to tell you that none of that is true and is all in fact made up?
Let's save the best for last, and let me address the cons that may have crossed your mind — and maybe even some you haven’t thought of yet, so I’ll just beat you to the punch.
Through my extensive research, most common themes that people find are ‘negative’ or ‘cons’ of remote working are:
- Unproductive work conditions
- Unproductive work conditions, you say? Well, my friend, that’s like saying your couch is the enemy of productivity. With a little bit of setup and a touch of discipline, your home office can become the most productive zone since, well, the invention of coffee. Get comfy, get focused — productivity is your new best friend.
- Frequent meetings
- Oh, the dreaded frequent meetings. Sure, they’re like a never-ending buffet of Zoom calls, but guess what? Remote meetings are like the fancy, efficient cousins of in-person ones. Shorter, to the point, and you can wear your pyjama pants underneath. Bonus: You can mute your mic and eat lunch without anyone noticing. Win-win!
- Loss of life-work harmony
- Loss of life-work harmony? Nah, more like ‘balance, meet freedom.’ Working from home lets you create your own schedule — coffee break, workout, nap time... Who’s to stop you? If anything, remote work is like a permission slip to finally take that power nap at noon. You’re welcome.
- Cybersecurity concerns
- Cybersecurity sounds scary, doesn’t it? Like hackers lurking in the shadows, waiting to steal your lunch money. With solid digital habits, you’ll be safe as an ibis at South Bank — bold, unbothered, and not giving up that hot chip. Trust me, the scariest thing about cybersecurity is remembering all those passwords.
- Possible costs
- Sure, there are costs. But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: How much are you saving by NOT commuting? No fuel, no go card top ups, no awkward small talk at the coffee machine. All that money can now go toward your fancy home office setup or, you know, that punnet of raspberries you’ve been eyeing.
- Excessive travel
- Excessive travel? Well, I guess it depends on what you define as ‘excessive.’ But here’s the thing: with remote work, your commute might just be a 10-second shuffle to your desk in the next room. As for work travel — your office view is your living room now. The only place you’ll be flying to is your couch (and yes, that counts as a ‘trip’).
- Lack of promotion
- Lack of promotion? More like ‘lack of in-person promotion.’ Remote workers are sneaky — we get stuff done, and often, the work speaks louder than a desk in a noisy office. With a little initiative and strategic brilliance, you’ll climb that ladder faster than you can say ‘video call.’
- Difficulty in demonstrating initiative and leadership
- Leadership from afar? Absolutely. You’ve just got to prove that you’ve got this without the need for a hand on your shoulder. The best part of remote work is that it’s a stage where initiative can shine. Grab that mic (metaphorically, of course) and show the world how awesome you are — no office crowd required.
- Difficulty in building networks
- Networking while remote can sound like trying to make friends in a virtual game, but fear not! With virtual events and professional social media, building connections is just as easy as ordering a pizza online. Plus, you’re no longer limited by geography — you can network with anyone, anywhere. Time to expand your circle from local to global!
- Lack of access to information
- Lack of info? Ha! If anything, the real lack of info is when you’re hunting down that one colleague who ‘might’ know the answer to your question. Remote work puts all your resources at your fingertips. Cloud-based tools, shared docs, and instant chat make info literally a click away.
- Negative health effects
- Yes, sitting all day in a dodgy chair with bad posture isn’t ideal. But working remotely means you control your day. Want to start with a walk? Do it. Need a 20-minute stretch session between meetings? Go for it. Health isn’t sacrificed — it’s put back in your hands.
Alright, we’ve talked about the cons — but now, it's time for the real fun. Think the perks of remote work are just a few small bonuses? Think again! There are so many pros to remote work, they’re practically spilling out of your laptop. Grab your coffee (or whatever fuels you) and get ready for a list that’ll make you wonder why you didn’t go remote sooner.
- Better life-work harmony
- We saved the best for last, right? Wrong! They’re all the best, but this one? This one’s the golden nugget! As a Career Remoter™, you’ve got the magical ability to work from anywhere, at any time. No more 'where’s my work-life balance?' — because you've got life-work harmony in spades.
- Increase in productivity
- Productivity at home is like a superpower. With fewer distractions, no awkward office chatter, and zero ‘who ate my lunch?’ moments, you can get more done in less time. Plus, the beauty of remote work is that you're in control of your environment — so whether you need total silence or the perfect playlist, you’re the boss. Expect more high-fives (from yourself) at the end of each day.
- Accessibility to economic opportunity
- Why limit your job search to the local job board? Remote work opens the door to roles in New Zealand, Singapore, London — wherever the right fit is. Geography doesn’t matter when your skills speak louder than your postcode.
- Saved time and money from commuting
- No long commutes. No late trains. No sitting in peak-hour traffic on the M1. That time? You get it back — for learning, resting, or simply living.
- Environmental impact
- Fewer cars on the road. Smaller offices. Less waste. Remote work helps reduce emissions and lighten your footprint — all while working smarter.
- Greater autonomy and job satisfaction
- You’re not stuck in a cubicle hoping for professional development. You can jump into online courses, mentor programs, or podcasts between tasks. If you want to grow — the resources are everywhere.
- Location, schedule and job flexibility
- Location, schedule, and job flexibility? This is like the remote work trifecta of happiness. Want to work from a beach in Bali? Check. Prefer to start your day at 10 AM instead of 8? Check. Need to take a break in the middle of the day to run errands? Check, check, check! It’s like the remote job genie granted you three wishes, but you didn’t even have to rub a lamp.
- Enhanced opportunities for continuous learning and skill development
- Remote work isn’t just about getting things done — it’s about constantly levelling up. With endless online courses, webinars, and virtual workshops at your fingertips, you can learn new skills while still earning. The opportunities for growth are just as endless as your Wi-Fi connection. Who says you can’t learn how to code while sipping iced coffee on your couch?
- Exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives
- Work with teams from all over the world, learn new perspectives, and broaden your thinking. You’ll pick up more than just different accents — you’ll build cross-cultural awareness that’ll sharpen how you work.
- Work ethic development
- With great freedom comes great responsibility. Working remotely means you’re in charge of your own hustle. No one’s peering over your shoulder, which means it’s all on you to stay motivated and deliver results. Over time, you’ll become a productivity ninja, mastering the art of self-discipline — and maybe even picking up a few healthy work habits along the way. No more 'I’ll just do it tomorrow’. With freedom comes responsibility. You learn to manage yourself — your time, your energy, your standards. That’s not just a work skill — that’s a life skill.
Remote work isn’t about working less or slacking off. It’s about working smarter, taking control of your career, and shaping a life that works for you. It takes discipline. It takes self-awareness. And it absolutely takes courage. But for those willing to step outside the old model and create their own path — the payoff is massive. So — what kind of life are you building? And who says you can’t do it from your home in Perth, a beach shack in Byron, or a quiet spot in Tassie?
What's your harmony?
