5 Lessons You'll Learn When Working as a Remote Developer
If you tell people you work from home, you're bound to get mixed reactions. Many would love to immerse themselves in the daily commute and rigid structure of office life against the comfort of their own couch. While others hesitate at the thought of having to spend the whole day alone at home.
Of course, just like any other type of work, every remote job is different. Experiences can vary drastically from employer to employer. One thing everyone probably agrees on is that working remotely teaches you a lot about yourself.
Since you tend to be more flexible with a remote job, you can plan your workday in a way that maximizes your productivity and, most importantly, your happiness. In the following article, you will find 5 lessons every remote developer needs to know to be most effective.
Which work environment works for you?
Maybe you prefer working at the dining table or even in bed? Maybe you're someone who needs absolute silence when programming, or you work best with music or background noise.
Luckily, when you work from home, you can easily test different working conditions to see what suits you best. For example, most days I work from my favorite spot on my couch. If I need to focus more while working, I sit down at my desk. Whenever I feel like I'm feeling overwhelmed or need inspiration, I sit down at a nearby cafe with my laptop. remember. Working from home doesn't necessarily mean you can't leave the house. As long as you have the ability to connect your computer to decent Wi-Fi, the world is yours.
How to structure the ideal working day
Depending on your employer, your work flexibility may extend beyond your physical location to include actual working hours. Many companies are results-oriented (management by objectives), which means you can work whenever you want as long as the agreed goals and deadlines are met.
I've always been fortunate to work in companies that have allowed me to start earlier or leave later, as long as my hours largely exceed those of my colleagues. Whether you're an early bird or a night owl, try different schedules to boost your productivity. Also check when it is best for you to take breaks. Small workouts can help keep you physically and mentally fit for the work day.
Good balance between private and work
One of the biggest misconceptions about remote work is that people work less and more slowly from home than colleagues in the office. In most cases the opposite is actually the case. With less separation between work and home, it's harder to know when it's literally time to clock out. What's the point of answering another email? It's not as if you still have to catch a train or want to avoid the daily traffic jam.
So that you don't collapse, in my opinion, sporty evening exercises or midday walks help as an integral part of your daily schedule.
Some prefer to create a physical barrier between home and office. For this reason, coworking spaces are becoming increasingly popular, since a workplace in a professional environment is guaranteed here.
How to deal with loneliness
Unless you live under the same roof with a second remote worker, you will be alone most of the time. If you're more of an introvert, this might not bother you so much. However, this could be a major downside for extroverted remote coders.
As mentioned at the beginning, every remote job is different. Communication via Slack or Skype, video conferencing or even old-fashioned telephony are part of many remote jobs. So you are always connected to the company and do not feel so alone.
However, if your remote work situation requires little collaboration between team members, work from a cafe or coworking space more often, or arrange to meet up with other remote workers. Be careful, human interaction is necessary to stay healthy in the long term.
Remote work is a journey of self-discovery
Working from home usually gives developers a lot of flexibility, which can be a huge benefit. However, it's up to you to use it wisely. Take the opportunity to try different working styles. You'll never know what works best for you if you don't try.
