WHY IS REMOTE WORK THE BEST?

We live in a time when everyone is always connected and available. There are a million ways to contact someone when you need something, whether by phone, email, text, Slack, or other means. This is both an honor and a curse.

On the negative side, it is difficult to turn off work, but on the positive side, you can work from anywhere.

However, while advances in communication have transformed the way we do business, the workplace has remained largely unchanged in many cases. Arriving at a specific time, staying for 9 hours, and then leaving.

Millennials, on the other hand, value experiences, and there is a growing trend of remote offices popping up, particularly among younger companies and team members.

I am a huge proponent of this type of working situation, not only because I enjoy traveling and it is an important part of my life, but also because of the incredible benefits working remotely can have on employees and, by extension, companies.

Before I had the opportunity to work remotely, I was completely exhausted by my job. And as soon as I was able to work from anywhere, my entire mindset and perspective on my work shifted. The same tasks became less tedious because I was looking out at a beautiful ocean while doing them.

Or maybe that problem didn't seem so daunting because I had just returned from a 3 day trip with my husband.

If you own a business, I strongly advise you to allow your employees to work from home. If you aren't ready to go completely remote, give them a two-month trial period. Working remotely for even a portion of the year could significantly boost productivity and happiness.

Here are a few of the reasons why I believe remote work will continue to thrive....

Working from home gives you new energy and enthusiasm for your job. As previously stated, I was completely exhausted. Every day felt like the same battles, problems, and everything. I sat in my chair for 9 hours because that's what I was supposed to do, but I was losing a lot of enthusiasm and energy.

Fast forward to being able to work remotely, and I suddenly saw my work with fresh eyes. Though the work did not change, my surroundings did, and this helped to keep me interested and excited. I could go work on a rooftop with beautiful city views.

I could work from home while playing with my dogs, or I could go to a beach and work from there. And the work that used to drain me has now made me so grateful. It was giving me the best of lifestyles, so I wanted to fight the battles and solve the problems all over again.

Remote work stimulates creativity. When your mind is constantly exposed to new experiences and stimuli, creativity can grow and flourish - both in terms of creative works and creativity in problem solving.

Changing your surroundings stimulates something wonderful in your brain. You have the ability to see the world in new ways and thus approach projects and challenges with new eyes.

Experiments breed ideas, and the best way to have them is to get out of your desk chair and live!

Remote work also fosters more global, empathetic employees. When you can work from anywhere, you have the opportunity to travel the world. And not just the kind of travel where you go somewhere for a week or two and only see the sights. You have the option of going deeper and venturing off the beaten path. You're bound to come across some things that make you sad, such as a starving dog or a child begging for food. Things like this remind you how fortunate you are and how important it is to always be compassionate to others. It makes you think twice before slamming a coworker - perhaps they are late because their child is ill or their car broke down. Maybe there's a story...there usually is.

Finally, remote work results in happier employees. When employees have flexibility in their schedule and location, it allows them to pursue their interests outside of work. And people who pursue their passions are far more fulfilled than those who do not.

When we are happy, we are better able to handle difficult situations, think creatively, and set a good example for our coworkers.

Most importantly, happy people work harder, stay with companies longer, and have higher levels of loyalty and devotion. It's a win-win situation for everyone!

That's my take on remote work and why I think it's such a great way to manage a team.