How to Live & Work Remotely (in 5 Steps)
IF YOU’VE WANDERED OVER HERE, then you’re likely curious if the ‘remote working’ lifestyle is a good fit for you.
Well, I don’t know you.
But what I can tell you is that for the last two years I’ve been fortunate enough to work remotely for companies in New York City, San Francisco, and Austin, all from my very low-cost condo in Nashville. But more on that in a bit.
If you want to skip right to it, my five simple steps are below—Scroll away!
IF YOU DECIDE TO STICK AROUND, I’d like to know more about you. Are you currently working a 9 to 5? Is there an office commute that’s ruining your life?
Have you ever wondered what more you could do with all of that commute time or gas money saved?
I wondered.
TODAY’S AVERAGE COMMUTE lasts around 45 to 90 minutes. Worse still, in big cities like D.C., Atlanta, NYC, and San Francisco there are “Mega-Commutes” which span about 1.5 to 3 hours every day.
I used to spend 3+ hours commuting daily. I thought that was just the way things were. The only way out, was up (the corporate ladder).
Thankfully, that just isn’t the case any longer.
ON THE LOW END, that’s 3.75 to 7.5 hours weekly / 15 to 30 hours monthly.
Think about it. That’s $10,000 every year to gas alone. That’s a lot of money + CO2 slipping through (y)our fingers.
Do your math. What’s your commute hour number? If it’s over 10 hours of commuting weekly, it’s likely impacting your well being.
WHAT COULD YOU DO with say 40 hours back every month?
Things like…
- cook healthier meals
- work out
- get outdoors
- travel
- spend quality time with your significant other (& kids)
- hobbies you used to love
- a proper night’s sleep
… The list is endless!
TELEWORKING, OR WORKING REMOTELY, is not the way of the future, but the way of the past. Start now, and you’ll only be catching up.
Don’t believe it?
Companies like IBM, Basecamp, and eBay have relied heavily on their remote workforce.
Since 1980, Telework has been on a steady incline. And it’s not as outlandish as you may think.
For decades, companies have relied on remote workers in departments like Legal, Accounting, and Taxes.
Is it impossible to imagine that modern businesses will have followed?
Alright, enough stuffy statistics.
If you’ve ever wondered about remote working or dreamt about enjoying the retirement lifestyle while you’re still young, then read to the end.
It may be the difference between achieving that reality or staying locked in your 9 to 5 loop until your job perishes (or you do).
#HeartAttackHighway straight to #StressCity
I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT NEXT YEAR, more like next month.
Interested? So was I.
Soon after graduating college I began reading James Altucher articles, listening to Tim Ferriss podcasts, as well as taking the advice of my mentor/life partner, Michael Brooks Jr. who’s also a big fan of working remotely.
A pattern started to emerge:
Work smarter, not harder.
Simple right? Not exactly. We all need some help learning how to get started.
HERE’S A COOL EXERCISE. Start with imagining what you would do if you had all the money in the world (you’ve won the lottery!)—What would you do now that money isn’t a concern?
Sail around the world? Hike Everest? Move to Bali? Well, there are ways to achieve those dreams while you’re still young(ish).
Enter, remote work-life.
FOR ME, IT MEANT ONE day being able to travel while I work.
Travel was the easy thing to imagine.
What job I would have was the difficult part.
SEVERAL INTERNSHIPS AND MANY remote designing & copywriting gigs later, I landed a remote job with BANGS Shoes.
The great thing was I got to leave the North East (NYC / Boston) to live somewhere less expensive, a lot warmer, as well as closer to my life-partner, without sacrificing pay. Equal work deserves equal pay, right? In remote work it does.
The even better thing was the entire company worked remotely, and they still do. #liveBANGS
In 2015, I thought working 100% remotely was early. The reality was it was barely on time.
HERE ARE MY FIVE STEPS to success at remote work-life.
Step 1 of 5 — Learn How to Sell Yourself
1. What are your core strengths?
2. In what industries are those strengths most sought after & valued?
So you have a fancy resume that you spent 10+ hours writing. Awesome. You and millions of other post grads who went to their career center or have access to Google.
ALL THAT YOUR POTENTIAL employer wants to know is…
Are you smart? Do you produce good work? Are you going to bring the team dynamic up or down?
→ Prove how smart, capable and 100% human you are with a well-tailored cover letter speaking directly to why you’re the best fit for the job.
→ Research the company’s culture and show how well your own values align with theirs.
→ Showcase your creativity. Do what you have to do to stand out and get that interview.
IF YOU LOVE YOUR CURRENT JOB, see if you can convince your boss to let you work from home.
There are lots of good reasons for companies to let their employees work remotely.
- When asking, start small. A work from home day or two to establish trust.
- Read Remote by the Founders of 37signals for help. It’s very possible in most industries.
- Everyone is saving money. They are freeing up office space, you are elimating your costly commute. Hey, even the planet wins!
“Helping the company’s bottom line, adding to your pocketbook, and saving the planet: Check, check, check.”
- Richard Branson, Give People the Freedom of Where to Work
If it’s impossible for your current job or employer but you’re still ready to live the remote lifestyle, then it’s time to look for new work.
Step 2 of 5 — Get Hired
Common Remote Job Types
- Writing
- Programming
- Designing
- Advising
- Customer Support
Start by Earning Experience
- Internships
- Any project to better your skills
Where to Start
- Upwork
- Freelancer
- List of companies that ❤ remote workers
Step 3 of 5 — Adjust to Working Remotely
Get to know yourself → Take a Meyers Briggs personality test.
Once hired for a project, I ask my new coworkers to review my “ENFP’s at work” link from this 16 Personalities 12-minute quiz.
It’s a great way to break the ice and get to know your new coworker’s communication and work style.
Elevated communication is imperative for remote work. Knowing how to best communicate with each coworker is a recipe for team success.
UNDERSTAND HOW TO SELF MANAGE. It’s a whole new work-life balance, and it takes time to adjust.
If you do not put in the work, you’re probably not going to keep your job.
It’s as straightforward as that.
Step 4 of 5 — Enjoy the New Remote Luxury
Depending on your personality, you may actually prefer to see people. Unless you’re an introvert, but even then, you’re still human.
Being in a home office everyday can drive anyone a little crazy. Fortunately, “remote” really only means “not tied to one office.”
Go work out of coffee shops, shared work spaces, any place that best fosters your ideal work atmosphere.
For me, it’s a secure internet connection, a quiet room with a table I can sit or stand at, and a window that lets natural light in.
(As I type this sentence, I can see the beach through the window here on Hilton Head Island. I’m here for the solar eclipse and I didn’t have to use any vacation days to witness this once in a lifetime event!)
So go a little crazy to find your new favorite work space. And feel free to keep changing it up depending on your evolving daily routine.
Step 5 of 5 — Why Not Now
Let me reiterate that this is not an early adoption. If you start now, you’ll be catching up. But there is still plenty of room for you, so come on!
“The ship carrying the innovators has already sailed, but there are still plenty of vessels for the early adopters. Come on board.”
- Jason Fried & DHH, Remote
Whichever part of life you’re in, it will never be easier to start than right now.
Enough excuses.
Live a life you actually want. It may not be easy to change to remote work, but nothing worth doing ever is.
Thanks for reading! It only takes 20 seconds of courage to change your life. Good luck!
