Remote warriors, gather 'round! 🌟 Sure, tech gadgets are awesome, but it’s the connection that truly powers our remote work revolution. Thrive Remotely isn't just another newsletter — we’re your digital tribe, turning solo work into a collective force of collaboration, inspiration, and growth. Let’s thrive together!

As Friendsgiving approaches, we're diving deep into community. We'll help you connect across time zones, coffee shops, and virtual landscapes. Because let's be real: your flexible work isn't just about location—it's about building a network that powers your professional journey.

Stay flexible. Stay connected. Stay thriving.

🤝 Your Thrive Remotely Team

COMMUNITY

Remote + Connected = Unstoppable

Think remote work means working in isolation? Think again! Your digital tribe is about to become your most valuable professional asset.

Let's get real: Remote work isn't just about trading cubicles for coffee shops. It's about building connections that transcend physical boundaries. Imagine your professional network as a Swiss Army knife—multi-functional, adaptable, and ready to save your workday when you least expect it.

Research shows that community isn't just a feel-good buzzword—it's a lifeline. People with strong social connections have a 50% higher survival rate (talk about professional resilience!), and for remote workers, this translates into more than just emotional support. We're talking about career rocket fuel.

Why Community Matters for Flexible Professionals

Remote professionals aren't lone wolves—we're strategic networkers. Our communities provide:

• Emotional support during those "is my Wi-Fi betraying me?" moments

• Professional opportunities that float through digital watercooler conversations

• Sanity checks when you've been staring at screens too long

• Accountability that keeps you sharp and motivated

Business leaders get it too. They recognize that remote workers with strong communities bring innovative thinking, adaptability, and cross-pollinated ideas that traditional office environments can't match.

Building Your Remote Professional Tribe

Pro tip: Community isn't something you find—it's something you actively cultivate. Whether it's:

• Engaging in online forums

• Joining virtual co-working groups

• Participating in industry Slack channels

• Attending digital networking events

The key is consistent, genuine connection. Your network isn't a numbers game—it's about quality interactions that inspire, challenge, and support you.

The Bottom Line

Community transforms remote work from a solitary experience to a collaborative adventure. Your professional network is your invisible support system, career accelerator, and occasional therapy session—all rolled into one.

Ready to level up your remote professional game? Stop scrolling and start connecting. Your future self will thank you.

FEEL GOOD

Connection Hack: How to Feel Belonging When Working Solo

Let's get real: Remote work can feel like a lonely planet expedition. But here's the secret sauce – connection is an inside job, and you've got more power than you think.

Think beyond networking events and forced happy hours. True connection starts with your inner landscape. Want to cultivate genuine belonging? Here's your playbook:

Give Without Expectation

Remote workers aren't just keyboard warriors – they're community builders. Volunteer locally, offer skills pro-bono, or mentor someone in your field. These acts of service create invisible threads of connection that transcend physical space.

Radical Self-Care (No, Not Just Another Bubble Bath)

Stress is the ultimate connection killer. When you're overwhelmed, you turn inward. Prioritize your mental and physical wellness: 

• Set boundaries 

• Practice mindfulness

• Move your body

• Get quality sleep

The Vulnerability Superpower

Asking for help isn't a weakness – it's connection rocket fuel. Stuck on a project? Confused about a skill? Reach out. Most people genuinely want to help but won't unless invited.

Create Your Own Tribe

Not every connection needs to be local. Join online communities, participate in virtual workshops, or start a Thrive Remotely chapter. Your people are out there.

Pro tip: Connection isn't about quantity. One meaningful interaction beats 100 surface-level exchanges. Quality always wins.

Your mission: Make one intentional connection this week. Your future self will high-five you.

This article was inspired by the writings of Emma Seppälä PH.D.

THE VIBE

Stay in the know

• Harvard's 85-year study reveals the one thing that's the key to happiness and it's pretty simple

• Startups: Why Remote Work Is A Must-Use Competitive Advantage

• Digital nomad hubs: How they are reinvigorating rural Europe

• Job Security Is an Illusion — How to Leave Your 9-5 and Be More Successful

• Remote workers are lonely, but returning to the office isn’t the solution

COMMUNITY IMPACT

The Secret Superpower of Remote Work? Your Local Economy

Picture this: You're a small town mayor, and your big plan to revitalize the economy is...wait for it... attracting more remote workers. Cue the eye rolls from the traditionalists. "Remote workers? Aren't those just the pajama-clad slackers refreshing social media all day?" 

Well, hold onto your bootstraps, my friend, because the remote work revolution is about to turn your quaint main street into an economic powerhouse. It's time to ditch those outdated stereotypes and embrace the dollar-wielding, community-building superstars known as remote workers.

See, these modern-day digital nomads aren't just trading cubicles for kitchen tables – they're infusing local economies with a fresh burst of energy (and cash). Think of them as the secret sauce your town has been missing.

How so, you ask? Well, let's start with the obvious – they need a place to live. And since 84% of remote workers primarily work from home, that means more homes being purchased or rented, which translates to housing market growth and increased tax revenue for your city. Ka-ching!

But it gets even better. These remote folks don't just collect a paycheck from elsewhere – they're also spending that money right in your backyard. At the local coffee shop, the indie bookstore, the farm-to-table restaurant. They're the ones keeping your small businesses thriving and your main street bustling.

And get this – the average remote graphic designer in Ada, Oklahoma (population: 17,000) pumps an extra $8,500 into the local economy. Impressive, right? Mayors across the country are taking note, with some cities even offering cash incentives and perks to entice these workforce unicorns.

But the benefits of remote workers go beyond just economic impact. They're also bringing a whole new level of diversity to regional skills and industries. Suddenly, your town isn't just a one-trick pony – it's a melting pot of talent, from coders to consultants to creatives. Talk about a brain gain!

And let's not forget the connections. As these remote workers weave themselves into the fabric of your community, they're opening up new doors to businesses and industries you may have never even known existed. It's like having a built-in talent scout, constantly scouring the globe for your next big opportunity.

So the next time you're tempted to view remote workers as the bane of your bustling main street, think again. These digital nomads aren't just freeloaders – they're the secret superheroes your town has been waiting for. Time to start rolling out the red carpet, my friend. The remote work revolution is coming, and your community is about to reap the rewards.

Ready to take your remote work community to the next level? Here's a hot tip: Invest in the infrastructure and amenities that make your town irresistible to these modern-day digital pioneers. Think high-speed internet, coworking spaces, and plenty of "third places" (cafes, parks, you name it) where they can plug in and plug out. Trust us, your local economy will thank you.

ACTION

To-Do-List

✅ What to Know About Starting Your Career Remotely

✅ The future of work is fractional. Are you ready?

✅ Don’t forget this section on your resume if you’re looking for remote work

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULTS

What are you main concerns when working while you travel?

POLL – next weeks topic

THRIVE LOCAL

The Secret Sauce of Remote Work Success? It's Not Your Wi-Fi Speed

Think the biggest challenge of remote work is finding the perfect video call background? (Though we've all seen that one colleague who still hasn't figured out they're sitting in front of their laundry pile.) The real MVP of remote work success isn't your tech stack or your ergonomic chair – it's community. And we've got the receipts to prove it.

Take the Asheville Digital Nomads group, whose 3,200 members are spilling the tea about what makes remote work actually work. Spoiler alert: It's not about being a hermit with a good internet connection.

"Who knew 'geeks' could be so cool?" one member confessed, describing a community that's turned the stereotypical image of remote workers – you know, the one where we're all supposedly hunched over laptops in dark rooms, surviving on coffee and coding – completely on its head. Instead, picture this: morning workouts, skill-sharing workshops, volunteer opportunities, and yes, actual human interaction. gasp

But here's where it gets really interesting – local businesses are doing the happy dance too. These digital nomads aren't just taking up space in coffee shops (though let's be honest, we've all claimed a café as our "secondary office"). They're becoming integral parts of the local economy, turning casual coffee runs into lasting partnerships and transforming cities into vibrant remote work hubs.

As one business leader put it, they're the "unofficial welcoming committee" for creative knowledge workers. Think of them as the cool kids' table, except everyone's invited, and instead of trading lunch snacks, they're exchanging million-dollar ideas. From engineers to designers, freshly-minted professionals to seasoned veterans who've done time at tech giants – it's like LinkedIn come to life, but with actual personality.

The secret ingredient? It's not just about networking (though your LinkedIn profile will thank you). It's about creating what one member called a "soft landing" in a new city. Because let's face it – spending your workday in Zoom meetings doesn't exactly scream "robust social life."

Ready to level up your remote work game beyond perfecting your mute button timing? Here's your homework (don't worry, we won't grade you): Find your tribe. Whether it's a local Thrive Remotely group, a coworking space, or even a regular coffee shop meetup, your future self will thank you. And who knows? You might just find yourself part of something that one member described as "priceless" – a community that turns "BYO-Job" into "BYO-Awesome."

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Stop treating remote work like a solo adventure game. Find your player two (and three, and four...) and turn it into the multiplayer experience it was meant to be. Game on!

Learn more about Thrive Local Chapters

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Until next Thursday! 🕺