Back in 2015, remote work wasn't new. In fact, it was the first time I heard about Digital Nomad thing.
In theory - it is a great concept. You can travel and work. This is a dream for many, but, as with many beautiful concepts - easier to say, harder to do.
In reality, I saw two ways in remote work.
The first is very common in 2022 and this is because of COVID, isolation and the digital revolution. It is simple - you can work from anywhere, but you have to be close to the office. Close enough that when needed - you can show up at the meeting. Crazy, right? Not even close. The second thing is time. You work remotely, but you have to be present during office hours. That's why this idea is better known as "Home Office", rather than "Remote Work". There is no way, you can work in other time zones or different hours. You have to BE present no matter what. The whole company depends on you. Right. Now. This is what I call crazy.
The second form(like in Pokemon!) is true remote work. In this case, you can work from anywhere in the world and also anytime. The thing is - you have all the freedom you want. Jogging at noon? Sure. Dinner with friend? Why not! Working at night? If you like that! In this scenario, you build your work flow, AROUND your life. Work-Life Balance at its finest!
The main problem with the second scenario is that you have to give something to your coworkers. Trust. That's why many companies prefer to choose the first option. They love the micro-management style. The switch is hard, but it pays-off in the mid-term.
Okey, but let's say - we want this better way of working. Where to start?
Easy answer, hard solution: change in the mindset of people. This is the most important thing.
Not everyone is ready for asynchronous work(less meetings, more writing). We are thought that working is BEING there, but this is far from true. Work is making things happen, not being present. Many of us don’t get it. We count how many hours we are ar work, but we should count tasks, projects and final effect.
I see a light of hope in 2022. In the past 3 years, CEOs have understood the power of remote(in the matter of productivity, but also cost optimalization). The next step: freedom in the way we work.
In theory - it is a great concept. You can travel and work. This is a dream for many, but, as with many beautiful concepts - easier to say, harder to do.
In reality, I saw two ways in remote work.
The first is very common in 2022 and this is because of COVID, isolation and the digital revolution. It is simple - you can work from anywhere, but you have to be close to the office. Close enough that when needed - you can show up at the meeting. Crazy, right? Not even close. The second thing is time. You work remotely, but you have to be present during office hours. That's why this idea is better known as "Home Office", rather than "Remote Work". There is no way, you can work in other time zones or different hours. You have to BE present no matter what. The whole company depends on you. Right. Now. This is what I call crazy.
The second form(like in Pokemon!) is true remote work. In this case, you can work from anywhere in the world and also anytime. The thing is - you have all the freedom you want. Jogging at noon? Sure. Dinner with friend? Why not! Working at night? If you like that! In this scenario, you build your work flow, AROUND your life. Work-Life Balance at its finest!
The main problem with the second scenario is that you have to give something to your coworkers. Trust. That's why many companies prefer to choose the first option. They love the micro-management style. The switch is hard, but it pays-off in the mid-term.
Okey, but let's say - we want this better way of working. Where to start?
Easy answer, hard solution: change in the mindset of people. This is the most important thing.
Not everyone is ready for asynchronous work(less meetings, more writing). We are thought that working is BEING there, but this is far from true. Work is making things happen, not being present. Many of us don’t get it. We count how many hours we are ar work, but we should count tasks, projects and final effect.
I see a light of hope in 2022. In the past 3 years, CEOs have understood the power of remote(in the matter of productivity, but also cost optimalization). The next step: freedom in the way we work.
What do you think about Remote Work? Possible in option 2 or this is another Utopia?