I haven’t always worked remotely. Like many people, my first real taste of it came suddenly in 2020, when the world shut down in response to the pandemic. As a management consultant used to Monday–Thursday travel and in-person collaboration, I went from being constantly surrounded by teammates to a blur of back-to-back video calls. 

I wasn’t thriving—I was just trying to stay afloat.

But five years later, a lot has changed. Remote work is no longer a reactive scramble; it’s a lifestyle I’ve come to love. I’m grateful for the flexibility to work from anywhere, blend personal and professional priorities, and skip the headaches of commuting or big-city living.

That said, it’s not without its challenges. Remote work can be isolating. It takes extra effort to build strong relationships, maintain boundaries, and stay productive. 

I don’t have it all figured out, but here are a few things that have helped me make remote work work for me:

• Create routines that signal “work mode.” Whether it’s where you sit, what mug you use, or a morning habit like coffee and the news—rituals help your brain shift gears. As tempting as it is to roll out of bed and straight into your inbox, simple cues go a long way in setting the tone for a focused day.

• Be intentional about in-person connection. Remote doesn’t mean alone. I make time to see friends in real life and look for strategic chances to connect with colleagues—like team offsites or quarterly office visits. Those face-to-face moments make a big difference in building relationships.

• Align your schedule with your energy. Morning person? Creative at night? Meetings drain you or fuel you? One of the best perks of remote work is being able to design your day around your natural rhythm. I try to match tasks to when I’m at my best—deep work in the morning, calls in the afternoon, workouts when I need a reset.

• Take advantage of flexible time. Errands don’t have to wait until evenings or weekends. If I have a break between meetings, I’ll throw in laundry or swing by the store to avoid crowds. It’s not about slacking—it’s about making the most of my time and reclaiming hours I used to lose to traffic and waiting rooms.

Remote work isn’t one-size-fits-all, but with a little intention, it can be both productive and joyful. What strategies have helped you make the most of it?

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RESOURCES

Friends of Thrive

• All Things Remote — A friendly, complimentary newsletter looking at managing remote work in a business/work place. See the article, Less talking, more doing for tips on how to stop the Slack chaos.

• Remote Rebellion — Connecting remote first companies with seasoned remote talent. Remote Job Fair & Expo 2025, 9&10 May 2025 (Online)

• Association for Entrepreneurship — Practical support that's actually useful for solopreneurs and freelancers. Direct access to legal consultations, networking opportunities, and discounts on business essentials you actually need.

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