What do you like about remote work?
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 Lily, an entrepreneur building VR conferencing for remote teams
The best thing I like about remote work is that it allows me to be more active and overall healthier lifestyle.
Instead of spending an hour in the car commuting each day I can walk my dog or get a workout in at that time. Instead of eating out (because who has time to pack a lunch?) I can make something from my own kitchen and am not as tempted to stop by Starbucks.
Lily has almost a decade of remote work experience, now she's building the team collaboration tool of the future with Virtual Reality
Read full interview from Interview with Lily, an entrepreneur building VR conferencing for remote teams.
Interview with Dani and Luca, digital nomads who have mastered work and travel
We hated going to the office every day, and we felt that we were losing a lot of time commuting from one place to the other.
We were living for work, not the opposite, and that was killing us.
We came back home in the evening, and we kept calling the online food order and delivery service, Just Eat because we didn't even have the will to cook something on our own. Switching to remote made us feel alive again, and happy too!
Dani and Luca have mastered the art of traveling while working—see their hacks & tips for thriving as digital nomads.
Read full interview from Interview with Dani and Luca, digital nomads who have mastered work and travel.
Interview with Liz, a UI/UX designer and cowork advocate
I’ve dreamed of traveling for longer periods and for further distances for a long time. Working from an office with limited PTO days made that difficult.
When I realized that I could both keep my job and see the world, I was sold on the concept of remote work.
From a more local mindset, I started to really get to know my home town (Atlanta) as soon as I started working from home. I’ve discovered new niches of the city in search of the best coffee spots.
Liz is a traveling UI/UX designer—see her strategy for thriving as a digital nomad and her efforts to promote coworking.
Read full interview from Interview with Liz, a UI/UX designer and cowork advocate.
Interview with Harry, an IT Architect who works from home
The best part of working remotely is the flexibility in my schedule and the amount of time it allows me to spend with my family.
I can start my day earlier or later, or make an appointment during the day for the kids if need be. I can eat nearly every meal with them, help my wife out if she needs something, and not have to worry about after school child care.
Harry has worked remotely for almost 10 years as a senior mobile, web and desktop developer—learn how he balances work with family.
Read full interview from Interview with Harry, an IT Architect who works from home.
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.
Read full interview from Interview with Betsy, a head of content and remote work routine expert.
Interview with Ayush, a CEO and avid remote team builder
Remote work opens up a bigger pool of talent to hire and manage.
That means you are off to the right start for scaling up.
Ayush is a CEO that is committed to helping companies build successful remote teams—see his process and tips for developing location independent teams that thrive.
Read full interview from Interview with Ayush, a CEO and avid remote team builder.
Interview with Alexandra Cote, a remote digital marketer and freelancer
What's there not to like? I'm aware it's not for everyone, but most people who go remote, never turn back to their office jobs.
It depends on your personality, really. For me, the benefits are all of these:
- Work from wherever you wish
- No commute
- Lots of money saved on food and clothes
- More free time and energy after work
- Extra scheduled flexibility
- No work commitments
- Breaks! Breaks! Breaks!
- Higher salaries for people who live in countries that aren't the best at giving out wages
Alexandra juggles freelancing, a full-time remote job, YouTube, and Skillshare instructing. How does she manage it all? Find out in her interview.
Read full interview from Interview with Alexandra Cote, a remote digital marketer and freelancer.
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.
Read full interview from Interview with Digital Nomad Sage, an entrepreneur and UX consultant.
Interview with Gregory, a Senior Software Developer
The freedom, the ability to focus, and strangely enough, the isolation.
The freedom that remote work gives me is huge. I've been able to travel while still working. My wife (who also works from home) and I can fly up to the East Coast where both of our families are from and stay there for a week or two without having to worry about taking time off.
We even were able to pick where we wanted to live in the US (we chose northern Florida!) as we weren't tied to any specific area because of a job.
That kind of freedom is huge, and the ability to choose where I live is a perk that I can't even describe to most people because it's not something that they have thought about.
It's such an amazing bonus - the freedom to just look at a map and pick anywhere you would like to live. We are even planning to take a month-long trip across Europe one day, and we can still work for the majority of it.
The ability to focus and change your environment to something that suits you best is also very powerful.
It's made me a better developer, and I feel like I have a leg up over some of my colleagues that go into the office every day, because I don't need to worry about noisy coworkers, uncomfortable desks or chairs, or traffic!
And the last one might be a bit strange to many, but I genuinely enjoy the isolation.
I have the tendency to be an introverted person, and after being out with people (friends or coworkers), I feel mentally drained. Being able to shut myself into a room and just work on a task for a few hours provides a way to recharge myself.
It sounds crazy to some, but if I had a busy weekend, Monday mornings are my relaxation time in many aspects, because the isolation and ability to withdraw myself for chunks of time helps me relax and recharge.
Gregory is a senior software developer working from home - learn how he finds the balance between lack of focus and hyperfocus.
Read full interview from Interview with Gregory, a Senior Software Developer.