Top 4 must-haves for remote workers
Be it the pandemic, that you convinced your boss to let you do it, or that you landed on a new remote job, we want to give you the 4 must-haves to work remotely efficiently and happily!
Life has given you the opportunity to live abroad, travel, meet new people and learn about other cultures! You are living the dream!! But soon after you start, you realize you have to do that while working efficiently for long hours. And the day only has 24. Will you be able to juggle work and experiencing your new life to the fullest? How can you stay productive and delivering at work while living up to all of this new lifestyle?
We are all humans, and as humans, we are social being. We need to interact and experience a sense of belonging.
1. Good internet connection
Like health or a lost love, a good internet connection is something we do not appreciate until it’s gone.
How many of you have experienced sudden panic attacks when internet does not work at the worst of times? One-on-one call with your manager, sharing the screen for the presentation with your biggest potential client, the season finale of GOT (which is not work-related but hey! Of course, I want to watch that). You HAVE to make sure your connection is good before renting a place.
Many touristic locations will state Internet works fine, but they might mean “fine for WhatsApp or uploading two pics on Instagram.” If you need internet to work, ask for a connection speed test. Your anxiety levels will appreciate it in the long run.
To check connection quality, you can visit: https://www.speedtest.net/es
2. Proper working equipment and setup
“Look at this place! It is so cute! Look at the ornamented furniture! I love this decoration!” Discal hernia in 3, 2, 1… Try working 10 hours straight on a 1-meter diameter marble table, sharing it with your partner. Does he really need a coffee cup, a water bottle, two chargers, two notebooks, and a colossal mouse pad? Apparently, yes. And do not even get me started with the lack of a second screen, proper lamps, and the Louis XIV-ish chairs. It is so much fun for your back to sit for 10+ hours on this kind of chair (please not the irony). You HAVE to make sure your time working will be comfortable and will not affect your health. Safety and Health at work is a serious thing kids!
3. Daily outside activities
Try to have at least 30 minutes of activity in the fresh air. You do not need to train every day for the Iron Man or the Triathlon. There is no need to practice Windsurf for 4 hours every day. (You can if you want to, of course). But for the more “still” remote workers, just a half an hour walk to the bakery will do. Sometimes we stay inside working the entire day because we are swamped, have deadlines, or feel lazy. After this year, I think we should all know by now that it is not advisable for your mental and/or physical health. Have a coffee on a terrace, read a book in the park, walk on the beach, or simply take the garbage to a not-so-close bin! You NEED to go outside every day.
4. Socialise
Some of you might be loners and enjoy your me-time, but we are all humans, and as humans, we are social beings. We need to interact and experience a sense of belonging. Even if it is once a month, you NEED to get out of the cave and say at least Hi! to one person! More and more remote workers are trying to be part of a shared community. It is just like our old Exchange Programs, where we enjoyed the time with our colleagues, but without the crazy partying, drinking and “hangovering” the next day! (Maybe also the partying). More and more platforms are now providing a place to meet other remote workers in your host cities. A quick beer in the sun? Sharing ideas for our businesses? Concert tonight? Trip to the pharmacy for a hangover cure?
