It’s been more than a decade since I’ve had a “real” job. When I first started as a freelancer, there weren’t very many people working from home. Since that time, though, the landscape has changed. There is a lot of talk about the death of the traditional 9-to-5, and increasingly that seems likely.
After all, thanks to technology, there isn’t a huge need to keep “traditional” working hours. The mobile workforce is on the rise, and there are a number of jobs that are flexible in nature. It’s possible to telecommute part time in many cases, even if you can’t work from home all the time.
Freedom and Flexibility
A lot has been said about how Millennials aren’t interested in working, but in some cases, it’s more about the idea of freedom and flexibility than anything else. Thanks to changes in the economy and technology, it’s possible to work from home, and to work more flexible hours. Insisting on a traditional 9-to-5 schedule doesn’t make a lot of sense, even with some office jobs.
Even with some office jobs, there is plenty of room for flexible starting and quitting times, and room to work out of the home two or three days a week. Why not let someone come in from 7-to-3 or from 10-to-6? What about providing more personal leave, even if it isn’t paid, as long as the work is getting done? You could work four 10-hour days a week, or make other arrangements.
There are a number of options for people who want more freedom and flexibility in their lives, even if they aren’t business owners. If you are a business owner, getting creative about how you manage workers and their schedules can actually put you at an advantage, since work/life balance is very important to the rising generation of workers.
Tools for collaboration are available, and allow you interact effectively with team members, even if they are on the other side of the world.
Running Your Business on Your Own Terms
As a freelancer, I love that I can run my business on my own terms. I work at hours that are convenient, and I can choose my clients. I also like that technology allows me to be connected and complete my work from anywhere. I recently went to visit my grandpa with my parents and son, and I was able to get work done on the drive down and back.
I’ll be gone for most of the summer, taking a trip through Canada with my son and visiting family and friends in the Eastern U.S. As long as I have Internet access, there shouldn’t be a problem with keeping current on my assignments and running my business.
While there are still some traditional 9-to-5 businesses, the reality is that it’s not nearly as necessary or common as it used to be. It’s more possible to create a situation that fits your needs than ever before, allowing you to take back control of your time and create the lifestyle you want.
