Have you ever wanted to work alone? Perhaps you just don’t like being around large groups of people, or maybe you find it easier to focus when you can just think about yourself and not have to worry about other team members.
Don’t worry–this is completely normal. Some people just prefer to work on their own or away from others, and this is perfectly acceptable! However, many workplaces don’t accept this kind of work, and it’s usually best to find a solitary job instead of trying to avoid your duties in the workplace.
Jobs such as long-distance driving or working with statistics and numbers can often be enjoyable for those that prefer solitary jobs. However, before you invest in a new career, here are a couple of pros and cons to consider so that you know you’re making the right choice.
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Pro: You won’t need to rely on others for your work
The best part about having a solitary job role is that you’re self-reliant. You don’t need to think about what other team members think and as long as you complete your tasks, you can go home at the end of the day and not worry about anything else. Some people hate working with others because they’re unable to voice their ideas or because they have overbearing managers. Either way, working on your own is a fantastic way to get the job done without forcing yourself to work with people you dislike.
Pro: You’ll be more responsible for the work that you do
Having more responsibilities can be a double-edged sword, but it’s usually a sign of trust from your manager. You’d be surprised at how much freedom you have when you work alone. You can choose when to do your work, you can set your own deadlines and you can also have more control over the end result, thus affecting your business even more and giving yourself a sense of purpose in your company. This is different if you’re working as a freelancer, but having more responsibility is usually enough to convince you to take your work more seriously.
Pro: You can take your work at your own pace
One of the best things about working a solitary job is that you’re able to take it at your own pace. Of course, you’ll usually have some kind of deadline, but you’ll also be able to approach it however you want. For instance, if you’re a long-distance driver, then you can drive while you listen to an audiobook, the radio or even the news. If you’re working as a freelance designer on your own, then you can set your own deadlines and decide how long each of your assignments will take.
Pro: It’s often more relaxing to work by yourself
Working on your own is usually far more relaxing than working in a fast-paced office environment. This is because you can take things at your own pace, but also because there is less clutter, less noise and fewer distractions. Not everyone likes the peacefulness of working alone, but to many people, it’s the perfect working environment and they’re at their most productive when they’re relaxed and have no distractions.
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Con: There is little to no social interaction
Working on your own can be a little lonely, especially if you have no colleagues to speak with or don’t have any relatable tasks to start a conversation. If you don’t mind keeping your work to yourself then this is no problem. However, if you feel that you can’t stand being alienated from the rest of your workplace, then a solitary job might not be for you.
Con: You’re on your own for the most part
Depending on your responsibilities, you may find it more difficult than usual to handle all of your work. For instance, if you drive long-distance as a freelancer, then you may be required to insure your vehicle. Getting it insured can be both a pain and expensive especially if you have no backing from your company, which makes it considerably more expensive and another additional expense that you may not have planned for. You also won’t be able to ask others for help when you work on your own, so keep this in mind for when you apply for a solitary job role.
Con: You need to be disciplined
Working on your own requires discipline. Without others around you to speak about your work, you can easily be distracted with things like social media. If you work from home on your own, then your kids might disrupt you or even the temptation of watching the TV could cause you to lose focus. You need to discipline yourself to become a worker that focuses on their work and is able to block out distractions.
Con: Working with others is usually more efficient
Lastly, we always have to consider that two pairs of hands is always more effective than one. Your employer should be smart enough to realize when just having you on a task isn’t enough, but a case can also be made for freelancers that want to work from home alone. While you can handle the majority of your tasks alone, when your business becomes more popular you might start worrying about things such as accounting and doing your taxes. In cases like this, you may want to hire a financial advisor to help you out.
Summary
Working alone has many advantages, but it also comes with some disadvantages that you may not have considered yet. Working alone doesn’t always have to mean becoming a freelancer and there are plenty of alternative paths that could lead to a more lucrative career yet still enables you to work on your own. Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into what life is like as a solitary worker. It’s not for everyone, but some people would revel in the self-reliance and will ultimately work more efficiently and enjoy their work.