What do you like about remote work?

Interview with Leon, a journalist teaching the world to play chess

It just feels natural. Yes, work gives me discipline and structure in my life that I want to benefit from, but working in an office, particularly the office I worked in, was tough.

I know it was wasn't exactly scratching a living down the local coal mine but the stressful nature of my previous job, the travel and the time away was getting me down. My job was like a totally separate part of my life, and it was difficult to keep sight of why I went to work.

Leaving the house when it's still dark when you have a girlfriend and kid who are still asleep, and then returning when it's dark again while your kid is just going to bed did not seem natural at all.

In fact, it seemed brutal. The number of times I missed giving my son a bedtime story because my train home was canceled was ridiculous. You don't get those times back, when they're gone, they're gone. However, since I started working remotely, I haven't missed a single bed-time.

But it's not just about my personal life, working remotely fostered in me a far better attitude to work.

My job feels connected to the rest of my life. It is something I do because it is part of my being instead of something I do out of sufferance.

I work in an environment of my choosing which is comfortable and non-threatening (trust me a busy newsroom is threatening!). I know that people have had to work away from home for hundreds of years all around the world, but surely if you are able to work remotely it is a better way. For me, at least, it definitely is.

Leon James Watson is a former journalist who has found the intrinsic value of remote work while teaching the masses to play chess.

Read full interview from Interview with Leon, a journalist teaching the world to play chess.

Interview with Pamela, a travel writer adjusting to freelancing

Not being expected to sit in a cube for 8+ hours a day, whether there’s work to be done or not.

I feel like being out in the world more allows ideas to come to me more freely.

I have time to research what other people and companies are doing in the area of communications. And I have the opportunity to network and take classes – things that would often get bumped for urgent deadlines.

Pamela is new to the world of freelancing. In this interview, she shares the ups and downs of adjusting to the gig economy.

Read full interview from Interview with Pamela, a travel writer adjusting to freelancing.

Interview with Michelle, an organizer of digital nomad experiences

The fact that you can choose to work in an environment with other like-minded people gives me so much energy.

Meeting new people with amazing stories gives me so much inspiration and never a feeling of being stuck in the office.

A solo backpacking trip led to Michelle organizing co-travel experiences for digital nomads—hear how she manages working while traveling.

Read full interview from Interview with Michelle, an organizer of digital nomad experiences.

Interview with Celine, a VP of People Ops and remote team member

I love everything about it:

• More quality family time
• No wasting time in commuting
• Being able to focus on a project without being interrupted all the time
• The comfort of being in your own environment

Check out this article of mine on the pros and cons of remote work for more details.

Celine has experienced the highs and lows of working with remote and hybrid teams—see her tips for thriving as a member of a remote team.

Read full interview from Interview with Celine, a VP of People Ops and remote team member.

Interview with Andrew, a freelance writer who works remotely

In a word, I love the freedom of it.

I like being able to go at my own pace, work the hours when I want to and have a flexible schedule and life.

I enjoy all of the little things too, the lack of dress code, working out of my house, and the ability accept and refuse jobs based on my interests.

To me, remote work extends beyond a job, it becomes a lifestyle. Instead of having to order my life around my job, I have the ability to order my job around my life. For an individual who values freedom highly, it’s perfect.

Andrew became a full-time freelance writer after experimenting with freelance marketplaces. After the first month, he was already earning more than his full-time job.

Read full interview from Interview with Andrew, a freelance writer who works remotely.

Interview with Pilar, director of Virtual Not Distant

I can work with the people that I want to work with, because of what I do. A lot of the time, I get to collaborate with people because they are the person I want to be working with.

This is mainly around writing, podcasting, and online training. A lot of what I do is still in-person, so actually, I still need to have people who can be in the same room as I am at a certain point.

However, for a lot of short projects or just advocacy initiatives, it is nice to be able to work with people you want to work with.

Hear about Pilar's flexible approach to managing Virtual Not Distant and the career-changing advice she received from a friend.

Read full interview from Interview with Pilar, director of Virtual Not Distant .

Interview with Sarah Archer, a content marketing manager & remote work techie

I love the flexibility to create an efficient routine where I know I’ll be the most productive.

Avoiding a commute gives me more time to accomplish more before and after work. And of course, I love that it supports my passion to travel and meet new people all over the world.

From noise-canceling headphones to Basecamp—content marketer Sarah shares her must-have remote work tools & essential productivity tips.

Read full interview from Interview with Sarah Archer, a content marketing manager & remote work techie.

Interview with Tara, a remote director of research and administration

I love that there’s no commute. I start my day relaxed instead of stressed by traffic. I also have more time before and after work to do tasks around the house, or just read for fun!

A move to be closer to a spouse's job led Tara to remote work—see her tips for staying productive and organized as a full-time remote director.

Read full interview from Interview with Tara, a remote director of research and administration.

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.

Read full interview from Interview with Paul, a remote product designer who has found his zen .

Interview with Emma, a freelance marketing consultant

There are so many things! Mainly I love the flexibility it affords and the fact that I don’t waste time commuting and can use that time to get more stuff done.

It’s taken me a long time to realise that I’m much more productive in a calm and quiet environment without the distractions of an office.

And if I ever feel like I need some human contact, then the great thing is there are so many co-working spaces or even coffee shops that I can go to now.

Emma is thriving as a freelance marketing consultant—see her tips on managing client demands & making yourself marketable as a freelancer.

Read full interview from Interview with Emma, a freelance marketing consultant.