8 Work-From-Home or Remote Working Tips for Digital Nomads

One of the greatest impacts brought about by this pandemic is the shift from office work to remote work. It has made a hugely positive effect and a great realization that working from home can be equally productive and sometimes more efficient than spending time in the office. Most workers I talked to said they save more time, energy, and money from working at home, and based on my own personal experience, I agree! Less time stuck in traffic, more savings on gas, transportation & food (because you can just cook at home), and more time for yourself which is good for mental health! Read on to know more…

Worked remotely from Boracay!

My fiancé Nico and I tried working remotely from other places too like Boracay, a beautiful island known for its pristine beaches here in the Philippines, and we loved it. We tried it for 3 weeks last year and did it again last month for almost 40 days! We rented a room at Boracay Balcony Inn last October to November and then Chill Out Hostel this February to March. Personally, I achieved more working from there, maybe because I was more inspired because of the change of atmosphere and scenery. I love how we could just walk to the beach when we're feeling stuck or stressed.

Nico brought his laptop to the beach to watch the sunset! hehe

Sometimes, I daydream about where I want to work remotely and on the top of my list is New York, City! I’ve always wanted to visit this beautiful, vibrant city and it has always been on the top of my bucket list. Before the pandemic, my dream is to attend the Times Square Ball Drop, visit the Empire State Building, see the Flatiron building, watch a Broadway show, have a picnic and people watch at Central Park, take a photo with Van Gogh’s The Starry Night in MoMA, ice skate at the Rockefeller Center, re-live that Gossip Girl scene at the Grand Central Terminal, ride a ferry and see the Statue of Liberty, spend a day at Coney Island, walk on the Brooklyn Bridge and visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Now, my dream is to do all that and live like a local! 

(source: NYCGO)

Remote working has opened a wider door, and now I can see myself working from there and enjoying all the city has to offer for maybe a month or two. I know it’s expensive to live there, so it’s best to get a job that will not only support your living expenses but also extra cash for emergencies.

(source: VOX)

So, what are the things to consider when working remotely?

1. Find your home base! Make sure it’s work-friendly (not many distractions), safe and has reliable internet service. There are a lot of short-term rentals in New York if that's also your target destination (more on dream destination for me haha).  I’m sure you’d be able to find something within your budget and accommodation requirements! I recommend Zumper if you’re looking for nice apartments for rent. Their rentals can be booked for 30 days up to 6 months!

Such a pretty New York apartment on Zumper!

2. Bring your own portable broadband/internet. This is only as a backup just in case their Wi-Fi is not stable or not working properly. It’s really important to have stable internet most especially if you have a set work time and you have urgent work tasks.

3. Maintain your working hours and stick to a schedule. If you have a flexible work schedule, set one for yourself. Choose the time where you’re most productive. Only adjust if it’s urgent or needed. Be responsible with your time! Note to self, get off social media coz it’s a huge distraction! Hehe.

4. Don’t forget to take a break! Even if you’re working from the comfort of your own home, you should take a breather. It could be for 15 minutes to an hour.

5. Pick a dedicated workspace in your home or apartment. Preferably not on the bed because that should be your space for rest! Big or small, your workspace should make you feel motivated and productive. If your space is small, I recommend a foldable table so you could tuck it away after work hours.

6. Report on your progress whether you’re the boss or you have a boss. Always coordinate and update your team.

7. Download work apps so you can easily update, communicate or work on urgent matters even when you’re on the go! I have Zoom, Google Meet, Google Docs, Slack, Canva, Google Sheets, Telegram and Viber on my phone.

8. Take a break and leave the house! When you’re done working or during your off days, head out and enjoy the city or place you’re in.

That’s it! Given the chance, where do you want to work remotely?