Remote work has been accelerating all over the world. Entire industries can now successfully operate within a remote-workforce. Most professionals are seeking out jobs that allow the flexibility to work outside of a traditional office environment.
Freestar is fortunate enough that our work does not need to be done in a specific place to be executed successfully. About half of our employees previously worked from their houses, from all over the country. For anyone who is anxiously entering uncharted territory as a first-time remote worker, our Freestar family is here to help make that transition a little bit easier.
Keeping in mind that what works best for remote workers will vary from person to person, we asked a few of our employees to share what keeps them focused and inspired when working in their own homes. This is how our remote working veterans take full advantage of the opportunities that a remote working lifestyle gives them, while remaining positive, healthy and on the path to success.
Matt Burgess | SVP, Revenue Operations
Portland, ME, USA
“If I’m in my house, then I’m near my computer. Productivity is never an issue, and video conference calls are a game-changer. No commute means more time to focus and build a schedule that works for me.”
Matt’s tips:
- Create an office space that is physically comfortable. Example: When I first started, I skimped on buying office furniture. Now I have a stand-up desk and a much more comfortable office chair. I wish I did this from day one.
- Stay physically active.
- Listen to music and/or podcasts in between calls.
Carrie Landers | Associate Director, Publisher Support
Dayton, OH, USA
“Always make sure to strike a healthy balance between work and home. Clear lines will help you focus when you’re working and unwind when you’re done.”
Carrie’s tips:
- Have a clearly designated area for work. Don’t just sit on your couch with a laptop, have a desk in a space you don’t commonly use (like a guest room) so you can easily separate your work-life from your home-life.
- Go for a walk. If you’re able to get up and take a quick turn around your block, you should. Fresh air and a change of scenery will do you good!
- Invest in a good pair of headphones with a built-in mic. The ability to block out potential distractions is important when working from home but you should also make sure your co-workers can hear you over any background noise (from kids, roommates, or pets) on conference calls. And always remember to mute yourself if you’re not the presenter on a call!
Shaina Lam | Director, Revenue Operations
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
“Freestar employees work in several different time zones. Working remotely gives us the flexibility to work the hours that work for us the best but can also lead to working non-standard hours. Sometimes I find myself working late hours and need to provide a team member an update or ask a question. To respect their time, I always schedule messages to be delivered first thing the next morning if it is not urgent. Maintaining a healthy remote work environment requires us to respect each other’s time and to clearly communicate the urgency of the question or request.”
Shaina’s tips:
- Taking short breaks to play with my pup outside so I feel rejuvenated when I go back to work.
- Working in a sunny place.
- Keeping a notebook nearby to add to my to-do list. I did this when I worked in an office but stopped doing it when I started working remotely and kept notes on my laptop. I found that handwriting my to-do list was much more effective because of the muscle memory and being able to physically check things off gave me a sense of completion.
Julia DeHerrera | Onboarding Success Manager
Oceanside, CA, USA
“Since the majority of my coworkers are on the east coast/in other parts of the world, they’ve already been working for several hours before I log on, so my mornings are a lot busier than my afternoons. Right before I start working, I pour myself a cup of coffee and then right at 8 am PST on the dot, I dive straight into my emails and Salesforce notifications. The afternoons are lot quieter so I usually go into the backyard and work from my hammock if I don’t have any calls scheduled for the rest of the day. It’s super relaxing and I’m very fortunate to be able to do stuff like that. It’s nice being able to get most of my work done in the morning and focus on other smaller tasks in the afternoon. It’s a good balance.”
Julia’s tips:
- Try switching up where you work, go to a coffee shop, or try a family member/friend’s house to change the scenery.
- Buy a standing office desk, this is a game changer for when you’re tired of sitting all day!
- Find a fun healthy drink that can give you energy to finish out your day with a bang! I personally like the Poppi drinks or the Culture Pop drinks.
Ruslan Krastev | Yield Manager
Varna, Bulgaria
“I appreciate the flexibility that remote work give me, allowing me to prioritize important tasks when I am most productive, rather than confining myself to a specific 9-5 time frame. Additionally, the absence of a daily commute significantly improves my work-life balance, giving me the freedom to go to the gym every day, prepare wholesome homemade meals for my lunch break, and even take a power nap when needed!”
Ruslan’s tips:
- Create a focused work environment by minimizing distractions. Silence notifications on your phone, close unnecessary browser tabs, and try not to visit distracting websites or social media.
- Explore flexible work schedules to find what suits you best – do early mornings or evenings work best for you? Adapt your work schedule to align with your natural energy levels and optimize productivity.
- Establish rituals that signify the start and end of your workday. This could be as simple as brewing a cup of coffee in the morning or taking a short walk after finishing work. Rituals help create psychological boundaries and improve work-life balance.
Nikita Prokhin | Customer Success Manager
Brooklyn, NY, USA
“Working from home has been a transformative experience for me as a young professional. It has provided me with the flexibility to design my ideal work environment, allowing me to seamlessly balance my personal and professional life. By eliminating the daily commute and office distractions, I have created a work environment that allows me to focus on my tasks with greater ease and concentration. This flexibility has not only improved my overall well-being but also provided me with ample opportunities to spend quality time with my animals, which I was not really able to do while working in an office. Overall, working from home has not only enhanced my productivity but has also enriched my life by reducing stress and allowing me to do more throughout the day.”
Nikita’s tips:
- Establish a daily WFH routine or staple. Mine is grinding and making my own coffee each morning. That fresh coffee smell and that first taste get me ready for whatever I have to face during the day.
- Take short breaks to recharge, your couch is likely only a few steps away.
- Set, organize, and prioritize your goals and tasks. Prioritize your workload based on urgency and importance to stay organized and focused.
- Use the time you would typically use commuting to better yourself. Whether it’s going to the gym or reading a book, with more time on your hands there are endless opportunities.
Vineeta Sajnani | Yield Manager
Bengaluru, India
“I love working remotely because it gives me the freedom to travel and work from anywhere, eliminating the hassles of traffic and commuting during peak working time. I can save precious hours to focus on my health, pursue side projects, or enjoy quality time with my loved ones.The autonomy to manage my time as I see fit allows me to be more mindful and create a well-rounded life that aligns with my passions and priorities.”
Vineeta’s tips:
- Establish a consistent schedule and stick to it. Set clear work hours and breaks to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It also helps me with staying focused throughout the day.
- Working from home allows me to have more control over my time. Embrace the flexibility and utilize this opportunity to prioritize self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or pursuing hobbies like traveling.
- Take small breaks throughout the day and try to not scroll through your phone during breaks. I like going for a short walk or squeezing in a quick stretching session between meetings. It helps with alleviating eye strain and refreshes my mind.
Interested in working at Freestar? Check out our open roles!
