Category: Essentials
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Becoming a manager is not a promotion (and why remote work is good for non-managers)
After working for a few years, in any discipline, you’ll certainly face a turning point: Should you stay as a senior, or switch to a managerial role? While we’re used to think about going into the managerial space as a promotion, it’s not necessarily the case. In fact, it’s something completely different. When you work…
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Part of too many Slack channels? Here’s what you can do about it
There is a saying in Automattic that goes: “There is always a Slack channel you can join”, and that’s true at any moment! Keeping up with Slack channels is like keeping up with the Kardashians, it’s a never ending drama. But let’s understand how we ended up here… You know what drives our excessive checking…
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Knowledge workers’ first enemy and how to fight back
As a knowledge worker, what’s your enemy? Hmm, I expect to hear something like loneliness, boredom, interruptions, lack of motivation, etc. Well, those are all valid answers, but let me tell you, there is an even bigger one. An enemy hiding in plain sight. An enemy that’s affecting you and those around you. An enemy…
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The problem with hybrid work
Hybrid work is making the news these days thanks to COVID and lockdown. Some are calling it the future of work, and others started working on software to make it possible at scale. But is it really the future? I’ve been following the remote space for more than 8 years, and I’ve been working remotely…
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A calendar or a to-do list? What’s the best time management tool for you?
When you work remotely, time management becomes a crucial part of your day. What needs to be done today? When can I squeeze in my groceries shopping? Can I pick my son earlier from school? etc. All these are questions we ask ourselves on a daily basis and having a central tool to help us…
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Should you work fixed hours, even if you have a flexible schedule?
The beauty of having a flexible schedule, when you are a freelancer, remote worker, or consultant, is being able to work whenever you like. When traveling, you can spend the whole day touring and working at night. Or maybe working in the morning and night, and enjoying the evenings. Whatever you want, it’s your call.…
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How to stop Slack getting in your way when working
Slack is a widely-used real-time communication tool in remote companies. We use it too at Automattic, and it’s our default app for communication. But the problem with Slack is it’s too noisy. Especially with the default settings. You can not go in a focused work time without getting a Slack notification to ruin it. Or…
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Time tracking when working remotely
When you work as a freelancer on different projects, and with different clients, it makes sense to track the time you spend on each project. But what about remote work? Does it make sense to use time tracking too? For remote companies, or at least those implementing remote work right, time tracking isn’t used. As…
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The savings and extra expenses you should expect when working remotely
If you are new to remote working or thinking of making the leap, you may think remote work is all extra savings. You aren’t spending much now that you’re working from home, you’re skipping the commute, etc. While this is true, there are also new expenses added to the equation. I’ll present to you the…
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The best companies you can work for remotely
When it comes to remote working. There are a lot of companies out there. But when deciding to go remote, one should choose wisely. You don’t want a company using “remote working” as an excuse to make you work all day. Or a company monitoring all your moves… I have a list of the best…