Remote work has gone mainstream over the last few years. With flexible schedules and no commute, what’s not to love? But working from home or on the road brings its own challenges. Keeping organized, connecting with colleagues, and even just sitting down to work all require a little more intention outside a structured office.
Thankfully, there are now a ton of amazing digital solutions that make remote working totally doable even for collaborating on complex projects. The right tools remove so many headaches and keep you focused. Any small hurdles in communication or logistics shouldn’t prevent you from following or envisioning your career dreams.
Communication Tools
Collaborating over distances means perfecting written and verbal communication. No tapping your neighbor on the shoulder or swinging by someone’s desk for a quick chat. You should be proactive about interactions to prevent feelings of isolation and keep work flowing:
Video Conferencing
Services like Zoom, Google Meet, and GoToMeeting are necessary. Have both scheduled team calls as well as the ability to do quick video exchanges when needed. See faces and body language rather than just hearing voices. But also be mindful of professional appearance on camera!
Instant Messaging
Slack, Microsoft Teams, and social intranets like Twist streamline direct messages, group conversations, file sending, etc. Great for quick questions when live video is overkill.
Asynchronous Video
Loom and Vidyard allow you to record and share short video messages when real-time communication doesn’t align with time zones and availability. Prevent topic discussions from getting derailed or forgotten.
Project Management
Basecamp, Asana, Trello, Monday.com, Wrike, and more help teams stay uber-organized. Share tasks, track processes, meet deadlines, and gain visibility even when not co-located.
Security Tools
With a dispersed workforce, security around company data becomes even more critical when people access systems from various networks and devices.
Secure Connections
VPN services like ExpressVPN or NordVPN allow remote workers to access company servers and internal platforms by encrypting data through secure tunnels.
Don’t take risks over public WIFI networks!
Password Management
LastPass, 1Password, and Dashlane handle strong, randomized passwords across all sites and accounts without the frustration of trying to remember them all. Some even enable team password sharing.
Multi-factor Authentication
Add an extra layer of identity confirmation when logging into critical systems to prevent security breaches. Options like SMS text codes, authenticator apps, or U2F security keys prove you are who you say you are.
Burner Numbers
Services like Quackr allow you to easily obtain a temporary phone number to receive login verification codes during onboarding or MFA. Add this extra layer of identity protection without revealing your personal mobile number. Such a game-changer!
Ergonomics Tools
Just because you’re mobile doesn’t mean ergonomics fly out the window! You should address physical needs to maintain energy and prevent repetitive strain injuries:
Monitor stands and external keyboards allow you to recreate a desktop setup anywhere. Protect posture and eyes whether working from a kitchen table, cramped hotel room, or coffee shop.
Noise-canceling headphones drown out ambient sounds that threaten focus – traffic, pets, music, construction. White noise apps are good as well.
Ring lights and external webcams boost video call image and sound quality tenfold compared to grainy built-in laptop versions. Look and sound your best!
Portable desks, monitor arms, and standing mats bring flexibility for changing up positions throughout the day – stand, sit, perch, lounge.
Your health is #1. Don’t underestimate the value of functional minimalism.
Time Management & Location Independence Tools
When the office walls disappear, it takes a little extra planning to stay productive day-to-day.
Calendar Apps
Schedule work blocks, meetings, exercise times, and breaks so you don’t get distracted for hours. Toggle between Task View and Calendar View. Batch similar tasks each day. Apps like Google Calendar, Fantastical, Timepage, and Woven help you tremendously.
Focus Modes
Site blockers like Freedom or browser extensions like Momentum limit access to notorious attention-sucking sites during work hours. Don’t let endless scrolling hamper real progress!
Notifications Off
Set device notifications to silent and defer checking apps to designated times. Configure settings to minimize pings and badges to preserve extended concentration phases.
Off Hours
You should guard personal time after signing off each day. Set an away message on chat apps. Log out of work systems so it falls fully out of sight & out of mind. Uninterrupted family time fuels productivity later.
The perk of location independence means work can happen anywhere with an internet connection. However, establishing optimal conditions takes awareness. Define rules and rituals that enable success on your own terms.
What’s Holding You Back?
Some roles still require a physical presence in a company hub or frequently interacting with customers face-to-face. But remote coordination is becoming normalized across so many more industries than people realize.
If a project manager, accountant, analyst, programmer, designer, writer, or sales rep can leverage the right platforms, why not work from home or abroad? Don’t let perceived hurdles squash the appeal of dictating your own environment.
