The premise of remote working is this: thanks to the digital age, you can successfully complete projects and communicate with your team—even manage a team—without being in the same room or even the same city. That means that, rather than going into an office (or, worse, a dimly lit cubicle) everyday, you can work remotely from anywhere as long as you’ve got a laptop and internet. Good internet is key. PS. Pepper does NOT believe in cubicles. BARF.
Here at Pepper, we encourage all of our employees to work at least one remote day a week. This means that instead of coming into the office (and a very cool office, I should say, surrounded by other startups and innovation in a large Canadian tech hub), we have the option to work from home, or from a coffee shop, or from a library, or whatever our heart desires.
With so many incredibly handy technologies in existence, it is easy for our team to stay connected and work simultaneously from anywhere in the world. Some of our employees are remote working 24/7 and living the dream! From all the way to the eastern coast of the United States to Ontario, Canada. Can I get a #heckyeah?!
Here are some of our favourite reasons why working remote is SO. DANG. BADASS.
#1. You can actually focus
Some of us weirdos out there thrive with absolutely quiet, or really loud, head-banging music on in the background, or maybe the sounds of ambient noise of a public space. Working remotely can give you the space you need from your work-husband or coworkers, as they won’t be able to stop by your office to follow up on an e-mail, or ask a frequently asked question. Apparently, a study from Stanford University showed that working from home increased productivity by 13 percent.
#2. Ditch the professional get up
Obviously, this reason rocks for so many reasons. If you don’t want to wear pants on a Tuesday – then don’t! Virtual meetings, phone conversations, and back-and-forth Slack communication with your clients and team members means that you don’t always have to wear business attire from 9 to 5. Or pants. Maybe pajamas instead? Maybe a little of both – business on top with a party on the bottom? You got it, pal!
#3. Naps are a serious option!
Depending on your most productive times of day, perhaps you’ll catch your eyes closing over your computer screen around 1:30pm, or you’re rocking the e-mail management bright and early when the rooster calls. When your home office is bumping, you can have a lunch break – aka a nap break to boost your energy and reset your battery.
#4. You can save money
When you are commuting less or living in a smaller, subsidized neighbourhood outside of a major city, your ‘overhead costs’ are waaaay down. This allows more room in your personal budget for FUN stuff! Like travelling, weekend trips, and splurging on something reeeeeeal nice for yourself. #treatyoself.
#5. You can prioritize your mental health
For many of us working the corporate life, checking out with a remote work day every so often keeps your mental health on point. Re-charging, breathing through an issue, spending a day on the couch with your cat, and re-fueling is important for everyone’s mental health, of course. For some, it is ESSENTIAL to stay powered up and bring our A game in the workplace.
#6. Working parents are a real thing
It’s 2019, people. Living with guilt about missing your daughter’s dance recital or a pickup from school is not necessary with so many opportunities to put your family first. School holidays, snow days, and child care can be easier with the help of a remote work day.
#7. Work from wherever you want
From your favourite coffee shop with a dirty chai in hand. From the hotel lobby on your next business trip. Escape the open office plan or cubicle and live in the lap of luxury, the luxury of choosing your most comfortable space.
#8. You can make your own schedule
Perhaps not true for all, but with working remotely, you have the opportunity to prioritize your day however you see fit. Start with the nitty gritty first, or jump into your editing later in the evening when your eyes are ready to take on the visual arsenal.
#9. You can meet your own physical needs more easily
Whether you struggle from a medical issue or chronic pain, working from home allows the ability to adjust to what your body needs. Managing energy levels, workload, or balancing the stigma of always needing a hot water bottle, your own space can become a judgement free zone surrounded by your top needs.
#10. Avoid the commute
In a major city, a commute can easily be 30-90 minutes. Skip that on the daily and instead, make brunch for yourself, hit up the gym, or get started on your side hustle. Let go of road rage and increased stress levels, and say hello to bonus time to spend on anything you want!
Honestly, I could go on and list so many more reasons why creating your own space, your own routine, and loving your work/life balance is so important for a healthy state of mind and lifestyle. There is a mass growing amount of research to support why working remote is so important. It is safe to say that this isn’t just a trend, and it will become a regular way of the future daily grind. Our Pepper babes all thrive in our balanced work and personal life style.
And my friend, you wonderful, inspired, creative entrepreneur, you will too! Thanks for reading!
Hope Mikal
Project Manager/Virtual Assistant
Pepper – Your Badass Business BFF
