Diary of a Remote Worker

I had just gotten married and was going to move to a new country in the next two days. I was checking my mails expecting friends to send their best wishes when a saw a mail of a different kind. This mail was an opportunity but why was it coming now when I was all set to move on. I decided to explore it further.

I had known her for quite sometime. A personal SHERO, a mentor and now there was an opportunity to work with her. I wanted to explore it. My husband dropped me at the venue and I met her. She was exploring a new venture and was looking for helping hands. She discussed the idea with me on sticky notes. I was interested but then I was leaving. I told her the same and she told me to think about it. I left

When I was all settled in the new place, one day I found those sticky notes and decided to give the opportunity a try. At first I had my reservations of working on a project, that was yet to start and from a remote location. But I started.

I got a table and a chair and placed it in the silent zone of the house. I got a white board, a calendar and some sticky notes. A notepad and some stationary followed. The feel was coming. Every morning, when my husband left for his office, I left for mine. With the to do list everyday, I began my work.

I was able to pull off my bit of work just fine. But somehow the team work began to suffer. Lack of co-ordination, communication, time difference, not knowing the team – all began to play a role. And since we were working on a new project, there was the start-up chaos and lacked clarity at many points.

But here is what working from a remote location taught me:

Be – connected (always): When you are working from a remote location, you have to be connected with your team. There are loads of ways to do that – Whatsapp, Skype and Gtalk.

Communicate: We were always taught why communicating was necessary but when you are working from a remote location – it’s the one thing that will get work done. Communicate clearly and regularly.

Planning: Well, you will have to plan your days as per your team, your office schedule, timelines and coordinate if there is a time difference. Failing to do so, will get the entire team’s work to suffer.

Connect with your teammates: You don’t know them and neither do they know you. But you are working together to achieve a common goal.  Connect with them as often as you can.

Share schedules: Since you are not around, people don’t know what your schedule looks like. Share it, let the people know.

Support your team. Make good use of the remote presence. Use the time difference to your advantage.

You might sometimes feel lonely, but don’t worry. It happens when working remote. Go out, look for inspiration and come back fully rejuvenated. After all you can afford that working remote

There is always a team back there you can turn back to. Working remote doesn’t mean you are working alone. It is just that you are working from a different location.  You set your schedule and stick to it. Work will happen.

Working remote taught me a lot. Plus the team supported. If I didn’t have this work, I am not sure what would I be doing here. I hope I am able to go back soon and work with the team (and not virtually)