If you want to change your career, there are a ton of factors at play. When looking for a career that fulfills, it may not necessarily be to do with the job itself, but more about the fact that we need to do something that’s far removed from the constructs of office culture. In other words, we may be better off working by ourselves! There’s a lot to be said for the working loner. Many people find it difficult when there is someone hovering over their shoulder, and there are a variety of jobs out there that can increase your level of autonomy, but you just need to know what to look for. With this in mind, what are the things to consider when you want a career working by yourself?
How Long Can You Work by Yourself for?
Some people love the idea of working by themselves, but after a while, they don’t feel the allure of it anymore. You have to ask yourself if you can work by yourself for long stretches of time. This will give you a greater insight into what type of role would suit you.
For example, a truck driver needs to be on the road for long stretches of time by themselves. A lot of people love the open road and the romanticism of being a truck driver. If you have considered this type of role, a company like the Matrix Expedited Service provides opportunities to apply for truck driver roles, but a lot of truck drivers are a specific breed of person. If you really don’t like people in general, this might actually be the perfect role for you!
Can You Get the Work Done Autonomously?
The reality of the situation is that you still need to get the job done. A lot of people love the idea of working by themselves but they cannot motivate themselves properly. Working by yourself allows you to make independent decisions, for example, scheduling your projects and determining the most effective process to get the work done. This means that it’s not just about you being away from prying eyes, but also about getting that work done under your own initiative.
Many people work from home now, not just because they have a greater degree of independence over their workload, but because they are able to disguise their working habits better. The reality is that if you are in the latter camp, you might find working autonomously does not correlate well with your attitude because you may find yourself running out of steam. This is why having a structure for your working day is so important, especially when working from home.
What Are the Prospects for Progression?
Undoubtedly, one of the drawbacks of working by yourself could be that you are not showcasing your abilities in an office environment. Lots of people want to work autonomously, but if you are opting for a career where you just want to stay away from human contact, you might have to make peace with the fact that the work you do doesn’t necessarily equate to a linear career progression.
For example, many people work as freelance creatives which don’t necessarily equate to working up the career ladder. However, if you worked as a creative in a digital agency, you will have a greater portfolio, but you will also be naturally networking with the right people on a regular basis. While freelancers have a portfolio of work, it can seem that they are continuously vying for a contract, with little chance of progressing. There is, of course, the likelihood they can find more lucrative clients which could lead to a role further down the line, but for those people who work by themselves, the reality is that they are not “on display.”
Is This Really Who You Are?
In one respect, we must choose a career that suits our skills and aptitudes, but in another way, we must remember that the perfect role for us must line up with our values. Lots of people think they want a career working by themselves, but after a year or so the reality is that they are yearning for human contact because the role is not necessarily what they thought it was. You have to ask yourself if you can truly deal with being by yourself. There are roles that are purpose-built for people who work by themselves, for example, sanitation workers, virtual assistants, and accountants, but there are jobs where you work alone, but with other people. Perhaps you need to get the balance right.
