What Does Remote-First Mean to you?

Our team operates on a remote-first basis, read what works best for us here. In this article, we explore what working remote-first means for our team; Is it about being anywhere, anytime? Or rather the not having to go to an office at a fixed time and place that promotes the lifestyle choice?

Generally speaking, remote work refers to working away from an office. For most people, this means working from home. There are plenty of co-working spaces around, and every coffee shop on the corner offers a potential desk for the afternoon.

As with anything, the mindset or lifestyle fit is highly individual. Generally speaking though, for people who like working independently, dislike general office environments, and are able to focus by themselves, –then working remotely might just be the answer.

The big one: *Work from anywhere you choose with full flexibility and stop wasting time and energy with a stressful commute. * Yes, with no set location whatsoever, you can truly be where you want to be, circumstances permitting lie internet, electricity and privacy. Flexibility comes not only with the work itself but with the control over one’s schedule. Want to use the morning for cooking or bike rides and work late at night? Go right ahead. And everyone agrees: No commute means more time for the good stuff. There are also other factors: Many of our team are expats, work provides an opportunity to connect with others making similar life choices. Working with a remote team in numerous locations presents a sense of understanding, we are all looking for a sense of home even as we live somewhere entirely different.

Isolation, the need for self-discipline, and no team connection are general concerns with remote work. Everyone needs to make the effort to stay connected, a zoom town hall meeting or lots of emojis in the chat –whatever works for your team. No clear boundary between work life and home life is often cited as a downfall, but as with anything, there are conscious ways to overcome this.

There are of course challenges that come without a fixed location to attend and leave; Can you selectively think about work topics from 9–5 and then simply turn these thoughts off? Our team all wear many hats and operate in many languages, work is used as a time to focus and connect in a different manner. Time is there to have a coffee and catch up on zoom, and so the guy camping in the forest has someone to share the view, and show off his makeshift kitchen.

The future might look remote, but take a moment to check if that’s right for you. Many companies offer a combination of remote-first and office time, and there will always be companies with strict 9–5 desk policies. Nevertheless, our company is going from remote-first to remote-only. See you online.