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Working Remote for Those Who Struggle with It

Ali Spittel on September 08, 2020

I have been open about the fact that remote work is very difficult for me. I'm an extrovert, and the social environment at work helps to motivate m...
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Carl-W

I think it's a very important article! Not everyone will be naturally prone to working remote. One thing I have been thinking about lately is how to foster a remote company culture that is actually fun to work in? Remote video calls are good but there's no substitute for face to face interactions (yet). In the remote community there's been so much focus on co-workers who don't like each other and they are forced into an office, watercooler drama, etc. but what about if the co-workers are kickass and it's a genuine fun experience to interact.

also I was wondering: how to make remote video lunches not turn into some kind of weird live ASMR session ? 🤣

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Annie Taylor Chen

Yeah I guess everything has pros and cons. Personally I like remote work, even before everyone was forced to. So I already made sure my work space is very nice.

I think it's important to be disciplined and be good at planning if you work from home, otherwise there is no routine and boundaries. Also, for parents I think it's extra challenge, especially if they have limited space. But perhaps WFH also allows people to move to suburb or smaller and less expensive city/town, so they can actually afford better living standard.

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C. Pure

Thanks for this post! Although I am not an extrovert, I’m way on the opposite end it is important to be mindful of how we are spending our days now. It’s been a real balance trying to make sure I stay healthy mentally and not fall into becoming a hermit. I have resorted to forming a pod with basically my partner and housemates and that has been super helpful to stay active.

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Tyler V. (he/him)

Anyone have a link to that wallpaper 👀

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Ali Spittel
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Tyler V. (he/him)

Thank you!! 💕

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Seth T.

Excellent advice. I've done a lot of these same things for most of my career (which has been 95% WFH self-employment).

I will add, I suggest finding a group of friends that can do social time on video calls of some kind. I've been seriously considering an early morning "Coffe with Seth" type stuff to give other early birds like me someone to chit chat with about work stuff, or to just shoot the breeze at a regularly scheduled time.

I've actually found myself really engaged with streamers when I never was before. That can be a lot of fun to find a small streamer and get to interact with whatever they are doing. I enjoy being helpful when I can.

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Alexander Kim

is that 13" mac comfortable to work for you? I previously tried to work on it on a previous job, but without an external monitor it was horrible, such a small screen to work. Never considered a 16" instead of this one? Or mobility is your top priority there?

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Ben Halpern

Great post Ali

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Txai

Thanks for this!! Having a separate place to work and pets really help

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Matt Curcio

YES, I agree with all those great ideas.
My FAV; Get out of the house! Feeling pent up? For people with yards or front porches, just sit outside for 5 minutes. Get that Vitamin D!