A friend and I were recently discussing high dollar neighborhoods that have monopolized the housing industry in the greater Austin area the past couple of years. Of course, the golden touch is primarily related to location, location, location (the three most important variables in real estate). I guess everything is relative when it comes to housing prices depending on one’s income level, but from the looks of things the housing market around Austin is solid and catering to folks with a very comfortable financial portfolio.
Perhaps it strictly relates to happenstance, but I’ve never had the good fortune of purchasing a home in a buyer’s market. I’ve also never had the experience of selling a home in a seller’s market. Regardless of which side of the equation I’m on, it routinely is opposite to what I’d selfishly prefer. I’m not complaining. I’m just making a truthful observation.
My friend said that most of the people buying large expensive homes around Austin are relatively young. Interestingly, according to his description, “They work from home, wear flip-flops all day and don’t feel the need to dress for success. From their perspective, they are already successful.” Could that really be true?
Have you ever thought about it? Would it really feel like you were at work if you worked from home on a daily basis? Truthfully, I’m sometimes more productive in cranking out paperwork when I don’t have interruptions, but I am also people needy. I am not the kind of guy who could regularly work in isolation. Apparently, the folks who are purchasing some of the more expensive homes in the neighborhood are doing so with the intent not having to commute to an office.
Obviously, I am not in the majority on this one. How do these statistics stack up with your own thoughts?
- 2/3rd of people want to work from home. Reportedly, they are sick of the rat race, eager to take control of their lives and desperate to find balance between work and life
- 36% would chose working from home over a pay increase
- A poll of 1,500 technology professionals revealed that 37% would take a pay cut of 10% if they could work from home
- Generation Y’ers prefer flexibility in their work arrangements
- 80% of employees consider telework a job perk
Actually, the General enjoyed her job, but she hated the commute. Perhaps the entire concept related to road rage comes from the notion that many people are not at their best in traffic. I drove to Fort Worth yesterday and the ride up IH-35 was at times harrowing. Are traffic lanes getting smaller or is it just my imagination? Honestly, throw in concrete barriers on both sides of the freeway, and your commute to work or wherever soon begins to feel like you’re in a MRI machine.
As a way of life, working from home poses a few inherent problems when you are employed to work in any human service industry. Honestly, you’ve got to be accessible and available to meet folks face-to-face. That poses a real problem if you’re casually dressed, wearing flip-flops and nowhere near the office.
Yesterday a friend mentioned that his church’s new pastor has brought a new dimension to their church. Would you believe it, he dresses Levi’s and an open collar sports shirt? He hasn’t been there long enough to know if he’ll wear a coat when it gets cooler, but he hasn’t worn one yet. My friend also mentioned in passing that he wears shorts to church and flip-flops. Are you kidding me? Of course, like one of my friends grandmother used to say, “To each their own as she kissed the cat.”
Perhaps I need to learn to think outside the box when it comes to telecommuting, casual dress (please say “NO” on the flip-flops) and the pros and cons of doing a lot of things different. As I mentioned earlier, I’m in Fort Worth and will be through Wednesday. This morning, I had the thought: “I wish I worked from home.” I’ve only been gone a day and I’m already longing for the edge of heaven (aka- home).
All My Best!
Don