What do you like about remote work?
Interview with Digital Nomad Sage, an entrepreneur and UX consultant
What I like about remote work is that I don’t have to commute! I remember being exhausted after commuting to and from work every day. I also like that I can help babysit my niece.
After living for four years abroad in South Korea, you really start to miss your family. So I think the biggest perk of remote work is having time to spend with your family. I also like that I can sleep in and set my own schedule.
From e-books to blogging, Digital Nomad Sage has become an expert on making money online—see his advice for developing an online business.
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Interview with Betsy, a head of content and remote work routine expert
I find that the biggest advantages are not having a commute and having freedom and autonomy over how I spend my days. I can alter my hours quite easily depending on what works best for me and my husband.
I hear so many of my students or clients complain about commute times, wasted time in meetings, and hours spent sifting through emails. I'm really appreciative that I can keep each of these to a minimum by having control over my work and day.
Betsy Ramser is a content manager, blogger, and teacher who helps other remote workers thrive while creating a daily routine that works.
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Interview with Kristi, a CEO and remote team leader
The freedom and flexibility it provides me to pursue a career I love without geographic constraints. Now I love it even more that I get to be with my little girl most of the day. (My husband and I both work remotely, so that's how we make it work for now, but we will need to call in the cavalry once she's mobile.)
Aside from this, equity in education and democratizing professional opportunities are two passions that fuel me—and I love how the prospect of distance/on-demand learning and remote work enable both.
Kristi is a CEO, remote work author, and speaker. In this interview, she shares the impact of new motherhood and remote team leadership on her work.
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Interview with Laurel about helping companies transition to remote work
So, so many things.
But on a personal note, I appreciate that remote work empowers workers to choose an environment that inspires them best. Early in my career, I was an interior designer, so I have a deep appreciation for the psychological impact that our surroundings have on our behavior.
The ability to choose and control our environment can have a profound impact on our productivity and creativity, which in turn can propel our careers and businesses forward at an unprecedented rate.
Laurel is an advocate for remote work and helps companies learn how to work remotely through her consulting and writing.
Read full interview from Interview with Laurel about helping companies transition to remote work.
Interview with Laura, a communications specialist and travel writer by night
I love the work-life balance that remote work offers. I love not commuting, not spending money on gas, and not having to wear business attire daily.
My home is very quiet and calm. I love that I don't have to leave it in order to establish a career.
I feel I accomplish more by working from home.
Laura Coronado discusses her method for juggling her career as a communications specialist by day and her side hustle as a freelance travel writer by night.
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Interview with Gino, a founder skilled in building remote teams
I like flexibility, which means the ability to manage my own time and schedule. It’s easy for me to start working earlier in the day if I know I have to be somewhere at 4 pm or 5 pm.
Overall, at least for me, it’s the ability to work when I want to work. Typically, when I want to do something, it means I’m going to be more engaged and do better work.
Gino realized how important remote work could be to finding the best talent—see his strategies for building remote teams.
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Interview with Katerina, a team collaboration consultant who sees the value of discipline
I enjoy the freedom of remote working. It is wonderful to be able to take your work with you.
However, this also requires discipline. The discipline to work when work needs to get done, and the discipline to turn off the computer and stop working.
Being employed as a remote worker also means that your employer trusts that you can get the work done. Of course, the right infrastructure needs to be in place for this to work.
Katerina fell into remote work by accident - she reveals how easy and straightforward it can be to make discipline a daily part of remote work.
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Interview with Paul, a remote product designer who has found his zen
The flexibility. Also, it means less time commuting and more time for what’s important. I can design my ideal workday - within the constraints of the work I need to do.
I can focus on my work in a comfortable way; for example, I like to listen to music when I work, but having headphones on in the office all day is not very social and not all that comfortable.
At home, I can turn on the Sonos and play whatever I choose, without annoying anyone else or my ears!
The COVID-19 pandemic drove Paul to embrace remote work. See how he has adapted his routine to this new normal, and the one tool that keeps him organized.
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Interview with Dane, a freelance writer and author with 7 published books
Honestly, working remotely just came about because I wanted to switch my day job from social media marketing to flat out writing.
What I like most about my job is the fact that I can pick and choose which projects to bid for and to work on.
I don’t just have to do whatever I’m told to by some line manager who has no idea where my strengths lie and what I want to get out of life. Being able to “fire” clients when they’re frustrating or unprofitable is nice, too.
Another big advantage is the fact that I can pick my own hours and take time off as and when needed. For example, earlier this year I was given the opportunity to go to Latvia on a last minute press trip to learn more about the Latvian literature scene and to help to promote it through my blog and my YouTube channel. Because it was so last minute (we’re talking a few days’ notice), there’s no chance I would have been “allowed” to go if I was in full-time employment. But because I’m my own boss, I was able to do it.
I think one of the main things that it comes down to is flexibility. Working in a corporate environment can be stifling, even though the companies that I worked for previously would be considered SMEs at best. Still, I’ve never been a fan of office politics and the inflexibility of having multiple line managers etc. and find that now that I work remotely, I can react much more quickly to client requests and just generally do my job more effectively.
Dane is a freelance writer and author who works remotely, and balances client work with writing his own books.
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Interview with Vaishali, a content marketer and a productivity tool expert
Location and time flexibility: Remote work allows me to work whenever and wherever I want. This helps me balance my work and personal life without sacrificing either of it.
No more daily commutes: I feel privileged when I can just walk to my desk each day. There is zero travel time, no pollution, and no morning rush. This helps my mental & physical health.
Vaishali persevered until she found the right remote work job for her lifestyle—check out how she uses productivity tools and time management strategies to stay productive.
Read full interview from Interview with Vaishali, a content marketer and a productivity tool expert.