Going Remote? Great! But how do YOU leverage Remote Freedom?
We know location-based work is limiting in a lot of ways. So let’s talk about your options once you have a Remote Job.
Whether you’ve been working remotely for years, or are still hunting for your first remote role, this is for you.
We’ll cover the common drivers - and their benefits - for going remote. And offer some tips for getting the most out of your remote job set-up.
By the time we’re done, you’ll have a clearer understanding of your personal drivers for chasing a remote life - and you’ll be prepped to start thinking about how you can make the most out of it!
If you’re already a long-time remote worker, let this be a healthy reminder, or an opportunity to reflect, and optimise moving forward.
Having worked remotely since 2017, I’ve practised almost every ‘sub-genre’ of remote work (domestic, international, with kids, parents, in-laws, office-first, hybrid, remote-first)...
You name it, I’ve remote-worked it.
Tasting all these flavours of remote work, I’ve learned a thing or two. I’ll touch on those learnings here, but I want this to get you thinking about how to optimise your remote life.
Let’s dive in. 👇
Why Remote?
Can you remember why you wanted to go remote?
The most common drivers for craving that sweet, sweet remote life?
Getting more time with family & kids
Being able to travel.. #digitialnomad
Getting away from office politics
But in reality, a person’s remote-driver isn’t always so dramatic. You might just really hate commuting!
Optimising your Remote set-up based on your remote-driver…
Want more time with family as a remote worker?
It’s important to establish and maintain boundaries.
With no physical distance between you and your loved ones while you’re in ‘work mode’. It’s going to be easier than ever for them to ask about your day, or for help with the laundry, or to show you the latest trending TikTok…
They mean well. You probably do, too. But whether you’re laughing at TikTok, or helping with the laundry, you’re breaking focus.
This can seem trivial, but beware: there’s a very REAL cost to context switching in and out of work!
How can you optimise for time with family as a remote worker?
Work behind a closed door - this puts a physical barrier between you. Counter intuitive, I know but it works.
Leverage the breaks you’re already going to take. Make lunch times an event.
Communicate! Talk with them about your strategy for optimising your remote-life. Explain you need time & space for focus work, and how getting that will ultimately make you more available.
Want to travel & live digital nomad life as a remote worker?
This is one of the most rewarding benefits of remote work if you ask me.
But with great freedom comes great responsibility.
You can very easily get pulled into exploring a new location, losing track of time zone differences, or burning out as you try to do ALL of the fun things, and still keep the work plates spinning.
How can you optimise for Nomad Life as a remote worker?
For your first nomad ‘trip’ I recommend somewhere you’re already familiar with. This reduces how distracted you’ll be by shiny-new-fun-stuff. And make it easier to focus on work when you need it.
Play the long game - remember you don’t need to do and see everything in 2 weeks. You’re a remote worker now. You can come back anytime you like! This realisation is an incredible life unlock! And following on from this…
You still need to be productive. You’ll still need to do laundry & other chores. And guess what, you’ll still have those days where you close your laptop, and netflix is calling. So go slow. I recommend staying for a minimum of 1 month in a palace.
Thinking in months and not weeks helps you meet your personal needs alongside any work obligations - and you can save a packet on accommodation when you book for a month or more.
That’s actually how Chris got started with RemoteBase.co - sharing curated long-stay accommodation for digital nomads & travelling remote workers.
Want to avoid office politics as a remote worker?
By being away from the office dramatically reduces your office politics situation
But we’re humans. We’re social animals. You have a natural desire to understand, and be understood - and so do your colleagues.
Sure you can remove the office from the office politics equation, but there’s a degree of politics which will forever remain (sorry!).
The good news is, as a remote worker, you can harness something others can’t…
How can you optimise for reduced office politics as a remote worker?
Communication
Communication!
COMMUNICATION!
You got that, right?
Here’s what differentiates (successful) remote workers from any office based counterpart:
The ability to effectively communicate. To be understood, and to understand others.
Mastering this is the key to diluting any work-place politics. In a physical space, so much of the communication is non-verbal or passive.
A raised eye-brow, nod, wink, cough…yawn.
Spend time actively reflecting on how you communicate - what could you have been clearer about? Could someone have interpreted something you said or wrote differently?
Follow this 3 part model:
Tell people what you are going to tell them, and why you need to tell them.
Tell them
Tell them what you told them, and why you told them
And always finish with the action or no action prompt. If you don’t need something, simply finish with ‘no action required from you just now, simply sharing for visibility’.
Good comms are a game changer for day-to-day work. But it’s like a hot knife through politics-butter, too!
Hope this helps you get thinking about your remote-work driver, and how you can optimise.
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Ready to apply to genuine remote jobs? Check these out👇
This week's article is credited to Chris @ RemoteBase.co (AKA @nomadaccommodationguy)
Stay rebellious,
Michelle
