Reclaiming Your Time As A Remote Worker

Freedom.That’s why you became a remote worker, right? That glorious relief from a 9-5 commute, the ability to travel, to meet new people, and work from new spaces. So does remote work lead to a happier life?

In a recent study, 82% of people said that working remotely reduces stress.

By starting your day in a different way, this means the pressure of a commute is lifted, as you can start your day as you please, whether that’s with some gentle stretching, a long breakfast in your pyjamas or a relaxing meditation.

Tim Ferris, author of the 4 hour work week, says:

“To enjoy life, you don’t need fancy nonsense, but you do need to control your time and realize that most things just aren’t as serious as you make them out to be.”

The reason why remote work is so exciting to most people is because it allows them more time and freedom from the rat race. More and more of us are focusing our attention away from work as a means to an end, and instead seamlessly integrating it into the fabric of our lives.

In this way, work becomes an extension of our lifestyle:

We choose where we work; we choose who we work with; we choose how we work, and we choose when we work.

To maximise your time and really enjoy the delicious freedom that remote working brings, it’s really important to get these factors right, and give them some thought in terms of what makes you happiest.

Where We Work

As a remote worker, the world truly is your oyster! From coworking spaces such as you can find on Cowork7x24 to the comfort of your own home, it’s important to enjoy where you work. The wider environment is incredibly important too – would you like to go to the beach after a hard day of work at the office? You might work better in complete silence, or with some ambient noise – it’s up to you to determine what’s best for you.

Ask yourself:

• Is the location of where I work more important than the building?

• Where do I work best, on comfortable furniture or in an office environment?

• What kind of surroundings make me the most productive?

Who We Work With

Having control of your time means you can surround yourself with people that you want to be around. Remote work allows you to meet far more people than an office environment; as the opportunities for networking and new friendships are endless. Alternatively, remote work can also help you spend more time at home with loved ones or children.

Think about:

• What kinds of people inspire me, and how can I meet more of them?

• What kind of person do I want to be?

• Do I want to spend more time with certain people in my life?

How we work

Being remote means you can work in a variety of ways. You could work on a laptop, you could work on a PC, or perhaps even your tablet or phone You can use productivity tools such as RescueTime to make sure you’re effective.

Ask yourself::

• Do I work best on the move, or stationary?

• What tools do I need to enjoy my working life?

• Are there apps and online tools I can use to help me?

When We Work

Defining when we work has got to be one of the most rewarding things about being location independent. We don’t have to live an unhealthy life by spending nine hours sitting at a desk; we can define our own schedule, and work out how we like to work best. It’s the nature of true freedom.

Think about:

• Am I more productive working in the morning, or working at night?

• What’s my optimum length of time to work?

• How would I like to structure my days?

Getting these factors right will allow you to not only make the best use of your time, but to enjoy every single moment of your life as a remote worker. Time truly is the most valuable currency we all have.

Slowing down time

Even though we measure time in units, in reality it is truly subjective and also perceptual. Mindfulness teaches us to be in the present moment and attentive to our current surroundings. By practicing mindfulness we can slow down our work days and incorporate more meaning into them.

Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a Danish word that is gaining popularity, and it means slowing down to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, such as watching the sunset, reading, and cooking. As a remote worker, we can also make hygge part of our daily lives.

Time is the only thing we spend that we can never get back, and remote working allows you to truly make the most of your life – in whatever way you choose to spend it!

This article was contributed by Kerry Needs.