Why Introverts Work Better from Home

Remote work has had an increase in popularity over the last several years. As more jobs move to online-only spaces, introverts are discovering that working from home gives them the freedom and quiet they need to produce their best possible work.

Offering remote work is not only a great way to encourage productivity, but it lowers a company’s overhead costs. Instead of paying for expensive office spaces and furnishings, companies can cut costs and improve morale by offering work from home opportunities.

Introverts, in particular, do exceptionally well when they’re given the opportunity to work from home. Although a recent study shows that 74% of introverts don’t want full-time remote work, they want the option to work from home for at least some of their working hours. The following are twelve reasons why introverts work better from home.

1. They don’t need to do as much to get ready for work in the morning.

Getting ready for work takes a lot of time. Most people who work outside the home have to get up early enough to get ready, pack a lunch, and do a handful of other things before leaving the house for the day. While there are many significant benefits to having a positive morning routine, the morning rush before a long day of work can leave an introvert stressed out before the workday even starts.

With remote work, they can get out of bed and begin their workday from the comfort of home. We talked to one introvert who has an 8 a.m. meeting every Monday and Thursday. Since he’s not a morning person, he usually rolls out of bed at 7:55 a.m. to get onto his morning call. While he talks on the meeting, he brews his coffee and gets ready for the workday.

2. They don’t have to commute.

While some introverts use their commute to listen to audiobooks or podcast episodes, most introverts feel exhausted from their morning and afternoon commutes. If they carpool or use public transportation, being around others means that their commute uses up precious energy they need for other things, like workplace communication and personal relationships.

This saves a lot of time, especially for introverts who would otherwise have long commutes. A recent survey discovered that the average commute is 27.6 minutes. That means that the average introvert is spending about an hour on the road each day.

When introverts are allowed to work from home, they aren’t wasting their precious energy to get to a workplace that will use even more of their precious energy. Without a commute, they have more energy to devote to producing great work.

3. They don’t have to engage in office chit chat.

If there’s one thing introverts hate, it’s small talk. Although there are several things introverts can do to make small talk a little more bearable, small talk will almost always feel like a waste of time to introverts.

Not only is small talk often pointless, but it can prevent introverts from getting their work done. Instead of spending fifteen minutes chatting with coworkers when they arrive in the office, introverts can dive right into their work and get things done when they’re allowed to work from home.

Since small talk uses a lot of an introvert’s time and energy, it can leave them feeling drained before the workday has really begun. Although they might end up dealing with small talk during work meetings, it will be significantly less than in-person small talk demands.

4. Their skills can shine in the remote workplace.

In-person settings were designed with extroverts in mind. While extroverts thrive in a community where their outgoing personalities can shine, introverts do better with remote work. Without the distractions of in-person communication, an employee’s work can speak for itself.

Many introverts thrive when working from home because their work is placed on an equal playing field as the work done by their extroverted coworkers. Their quiet diligence is often overlooked in traditional office settings, but remote work makes their high-quality work even more noticeable.

All too often, promotions are granted based on an individual’s ability to amaze an interviewing manager. While work performance is taken into account, many work environments put a little too much emphasis on interpersonal communication and “extroverted” traits like assertiveness and public speaking.

5. They usually have more time to respond, allowing them to share their ideas.

Introverts usually take a while to respond to questions, since they like to think through their answers before blurting something out. Extroverts are usually the opposite, saying the first thing that comes to their minds.

When working in an in-person setting, extroverts end up giving the most input while their introverted coworkers ponder the issue and come up with viable solutions. Digital communication allows introverts to naturally insert their ideas, since it allows for thoughtful responses (unlike verbal communication during meetings).

Even when using instant messaging systems like Slack, introverts are able to think through their answers before sharing them. Since people don’t expect an instant answer, introverts can use their observational skills and creative thinking to provide great solutions for workplace issues.

6. It’s easier to block out noise and other distractions.

Introverts are very easily distracted. Studies have found that introverts tend to be more distracted by interruptions and background noise than their extroverted counterparts. In-person work environments are full of noise and distractions, which can leave introverts distracted and frustrated.

The best environment for an introvert who is trying to get things done is a quiet environment free of interruptions. Working from home allows them to create the perfect environment for their workplace productivity.

Not only does this mean they’re getting more done, but it leaves them less frustrated and exhausted at the end of the day. Unfortunately, not all work-from-home environments are quiet and distraction-free. However, introverts can make their environment quieter by investing in noise-canceling headphones like these headphones from Sony.

7. They’re less likely to get distracted by off-topic workplace conversations.

Background noise isn’t the only thing that distracts introverts in traditional workplace settings. Introverts may feel frustrated by frequent interruptions from other coworkers, especially if their attempts at setting boundaries aren’t being respected.

It’s a normal part of office life to stop by a coworkers desk to say “hi” or ask a question, but these friendly visits can be unwelcome interruptions, especially when an introvert is getting into a groove with their work.

When an introverted person gets distracted, it takes a lot of energy for them to get back on course. When they work from home, they can create extended blocks of time where they work on projects uninterrupted. If they really need to focus, they can set their status to “away” on digital communication platforms, blocking all unnecessary intrusions.

8. They can spend time alone after long meetings.

Traditional work environments make it exceptionally difficult for introverts to spend time alone before or after meetings. There’s not just the conversation that occurs in the meeting, but small talk that occurs in the hallways and conference room before and after the meeting.

When working remotely, introverts are able to give themselves a little bit of alone time between meetings. Since they’re able to end the call, there’s no expectation that they’ll continue conversations as they transition back to their regular work.

This gives them the necessary space to recharge and approach their work with the energy it deserves. Introverts who don’t feel pressured to engage in small talk before and after meetings may even feel more comfortable speaking up during meetings, since they haven’t had to use as much of their emotional energy on pointless conversation.

9. They feel like they’re in control of how they manage their time.

Introverts hate being micromanaged. Not only does it stifle their ability to come up with creative ideas, but it requires near-constant communication. That communication can be exhausting, leaving introverts worn out and anxious throughout the workday.

Remote work usually allows introverts to do their work in peace, without a nagging boss hanging over their shoulder constantly. While some remote work positions will require regular check-ins, most remote work leaves them free to get things done independently.

Ultimately, that means introverts are more productive when they work from home. Introverts usually know what needs to get done and they can be trusted to manage their own time.

10. They’re more confident in their abilities.

When introverts work remotely, they often become more confident in their abilities. Since they don’t have to waste energy on meaningless workplace conversations or other office politics, they’re free to dedicate time to the things that matter for the job they were hired to do.

As much as introverts love their introverted traits and the strengths that come with them, it’s sometimes hard for them when they compare themselves to their extroverted counterparts. They might crave the confidence the person exudes. When comparing themselves to others, they may downplay their abilities.

Without those distractions, though, introverts are more likely to have a positive self-image when it comes to their ability to get the job done. Remote work is the ideal work environment for introverts, who may discover new strengths that can be applied to their work. Ultimately, this leads to more confidence in their abilities, making them better self-advocates when opportunities for advancement arise.

11. There’s usually less office drama.

Workplace drama can be especially exhausting for introverts, since introverts tend to be more sensitive to conflict. Gossip and other workplace drama are commonplace in traditional work environments. Navigating these conflicts can be particularly difficult for introverts.

While remote work doesn’t make a workplace completely drama free, the only “drama” is usually centered around problems with the work itself. Although remote coworkers will build relationships with each other, the focus is more on the work and less on the relationships with each other.

Introverts who work from home don’t need to sustain positive body language or small talk throughout the day. No one can accuse them for being “rude” or “standoffish” if they aren’t dropping everything to engage in some office small talk.

12. They have more time for their personal pursuits.

Introverts enjoy working from home because it gives them more time to enjoy their hobbies and other recreational pursuits. They don’t have to waste time on getting ready or commuting. If they’ve finished all their work for the day, they can get offline and spend a little time on a hobby.

This helps introverts feel recharged and reinvigorated for the next day’s work. Spending time with a hobby is beneficial to an employee’s mental health. When introverts have plenty of time to enjoy their hobbies, they’re able to approach their work with a better attitude.

Getting enough downtime can make introverts more productive and more creative. This leads to a higher sense of personal accomplishment and fulfillment at work, which in turn improves their mental health.

We talked to one introvert who likes to use his downtime playing video games. Instead of using his entire lunch break to get lunch or work, he’s able to use it as a real break from the daily stresses of work. The ability to turn things off when he’s not working allows him to make the most of his downtime, which in turn helps him be a better employee.

Conclusion

There are so many things that make remote work a great option for introverts. In most cases, introverts perform better and feel more fulfilled by their work when they’re given the freedom to work from home.

Working remotely allows introverts to avoid all the things they hate about traditional work environments: constant noise, small talk, and frequent interruptions. It allows them to create an environment conducive to their success. In turn, this allows them to produce their best work, something that benefits both employer and employee!