Virtual Communication: Landing the Job Remotely

Working remotely is becoming increasingly common, and with that comes a lot of talk about whether or not there is anything to learn from it at all. I’ve been working in remote work for quite some time now; I can confidently state without having ever had this discussion — whether remote jobs are better than they used to be — that there is nothing more liberating than being able to travel and work from anywhere you like. Now that I am living in Boston, Massachusetts, and traveling throughout the country, my experiences with remote work have been overwhelmingly positive. From getting paid far more than what I would have done if I worked in an office environment, to feeling less stressed as I navigate through my day, I think there is something worth learning from remote work as much as there is any other type of job. Here’s what I hope will help make this change stick.

Learn How To Communicate Using Messages

One of the most valuable things about my experience working in remote has been how communication has expanded beyond email and text messages. While I’m still largely using Google Hangouts in these interactions, messaging apps like Whatsapp and Discord have helped me communicate with coworkers and clients in new ways. Some people I interact with on Slack, others over WhatsApp, etc., but no matter where we are communicating, messaging apps allow us to stay more connected and informed throughout our careers. If you are looking to do some form of remote work, or even just want to try a few different skills out while working remotely, I would recommend picking up messaging apps and seeing how they might help you communicate more effectively and professionally.

Never Forget Your Resentment That You Are Working In A Pandemic

We live amidst a pandemic that many people fear greatly. As we move through the next season of this crisis, it will become critical for you to understand that while things are going crazy right now, your career will continue moving forward. Whether you’re a professional athlete, brand manager, influencer, writer, or whatever your career of choice may be, you should always remember who you are working in a pandemic. We don’t know when we’ll get the vaccine, maybe never, so it’ll be important for everyone to understand that we still need to show support for one another. Even though social distancing is here to stay, there is hope for both parties. With that said, as difficult as quarantine will be going forward, your career should not lose sight of who you are. As the saying goes, “We forget, we recover.” When we remember we are strong and resilient, rather than showing weakness and fear, we are stronger. There are countless stories of companies stepping in for their employees and communities and providing support for them during this trying time. So take note of those stories and see how similar life lessons could apply to yours. Also, be mindful of how quickly things change in regards to personal issues, and don’t be afraid to discuss those topics openly with your team. Never forget that even in this times of stress and uncertainty, there is always someone else pulling alongside you, cheering you along. Everyone, regardless of how well they know you, will appreciate hearing your voice in times of trouble.

Develop Confidence And Self-Awareness

Everyone will come to one point in these uncertain months: They feel pressured into wearing masks, staying home, leaving offices, staying away altogether. Do you know anyone who has experienced these feelings? Don’t fret if all of your friends have — you can look up reviews and research them yourself. Regardless of how well you know or care about others, everyone will also wonder why you’re not following suit. As hard as it may be to hear, and understand the reasoning behind the push back, you should always remember that it’s entirely your responsibility as a leader to build confidence and self-awareness in your team. This type of mentality helps individuals put themselves first and follow best practices of doing things right. Not only does this instill greater trust and accountability, it also lets others feel safe enough to work in environments like remote work. Building confidence in your team gives each individual a sense of purpose, which makes them want to keep working together for the greater good. Those who feel comfortable talking about these things, to your team and yourselves, will often be the ones who truly thrive!

Create Connections Between Work And Home Life

As hard as it is to hear sometimes, there are multiple types of connections that can make remote work great. Starting off with social connections, connecting to family members, and finding a trusted friend through whom you can connect on different platforms are all things that can help your career go smoothly. These same types of connections can also make your home life easier by allowing for more structure and structure and less worry. Family members, especially during times of isolation, can play a huge role in helping us keep our sanity together. Seeing your parents at a distance when it would normally be the other way around can help create a bond between children and parent who will understand why the other is struggling. Making friends online can also provide us company through virtual meetings, which also is a boon to the relationship between employee and employer that supports remote work. Additionally, as we go further out into our careers, we typically meet with more families. Whether through our extended family members, or coworkers, there are many different avenues that we can utilize to enhance some type of connection between ourselves and loved ones.

Keep Yourself At The Center Of All Things Remote

While you’ll likely interact with several people at once, remember that if you don’t stay focused and present, you also won’t get long-term results. Many businesses offer free training courses on their latest product, for example, because those products and services are only useful if the business cares about its employees and customers. Likewise, consider creating a network among colleagues and customers as well. Once the goal is clear, ask your team to join your network and share your knowledge. By forming a network of like-minded individuals with similar interests, you are making sure everyone feels encouraged and part of your organization, rather than forcing everyone’s hand to fit into the group. Create that bond you seek through collaboration, especially as it pertains to customer service, which is especially important as our customer base grows and becomes increasingly remote. Doing so also creates a sense of community within the workplace, which encourages cooperation and inspires trustworthiness. Finally, consider keeping some of your thoughts and ideas from the group of colleagues you work closely with. Just because someone shares some common interest doesn’t mean they will dictate what you say. Stay engaged in your conversations. Remember, as mentioned before, no one wants to feel forced into doing things — including others — that aren’t serving them. Keep in mind that it is entirely your responsibility as a leader to ensure that your team feels respected and understood.

The Benefits Of Being On Vacation Or Out of State

If you’ve spent any amount of time in the past year dreaming of going somewhere different for a trip, I would strongly suggest that you start planning today. Most workplaces have flexible schedules that allow us to travel whenever we choose. For some jobs, specifically remote work, there is even a benefit of getting paid more. Employers often offer incentives to let employees travel to different locations (assuming remote work is even available, of course) to encourage the use of that particular skill or talent. In addition, I recommend having enough money set aside in retirement funds to cover some expenses related to trips. If you already have a savings fund set aside for vacations, this means you are prepared to spend less in retirement income. Plus, it gives you more extra income to plan for new, exciting opportunities such as adventure trips. Another thing I recommend with plans that incorporate travel, or at least some sort of vacation, is taking advantage of tax benefits. One of the biggest benefits for this type of plan is known as the Child Tax Credit. During periods of low tax rates such as 2017–2019, we can deduct up to $4,000 from our federal taxes as child expenses. But what happens to the credit if you plan on spending thousands or millions of dollars on vacations? If you are able to take full advantage of the credit, that is a significant investment of your own time, your money, and your tax savings for yourself.

If Your Career Takes It Too Far Towards Passive Income Or Selling An Asset

While the term passive income is often misunderstood, there is actually an argument to whether or not there is need for someone to sell an asset on behalf of their career. My answer to this question boils down to two different arguments. On the topic of selling assets, the second argument centers solely on financial security. Passive income refers to wealth outside of fixed assets. Examples of financial securities include investments, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, commodities, etc. It also encompasses tangible assets like stocks and cash held by private investors. Private equity firms and hedge funds exist across America, and it is easy to find examples in the media. However, on the topic of selling assets, that is where the argument begins and where I believe there is a line drawn that leads to a debate among professionals and industry executives alike. Many industries would love to turn everything into passive income — an idea popularized by Warren Buffett and Stephen Hawking. Both men are billionaires, so what exactly makes them think it’s possible for someone to receive dividends from various investments? What happens when they run out of shares, or even realize that stock prices are going down? What happens when markets have gone so high that nobody wants to invest? Ultimately, owning large quantities of stocks means someone is losing out on millions of dollars in dividends and gains. But in reality, a stock price that drops and goes way down (aside from a drop in