The Future Of Remote Working: How Should We Replace Our Saved Commute Time?

Summary

The article discusses the shift to remote work and offers suggestions on how to effectively utilize time saved from commuting.

Abstract

The article "The Future Of Remote Working: How Should We Replace Our Saved Commute Time?" explores the benefits and challenges of transitioning to full-time remote work, emphasizing the importance of creating new routines to replace the time previously spent commuting. It suggests that the saved time should not be filled with additional work hours but rather used for personal development, relaxation, and establishing a work-life balance. The author recommends activities such as morning yoga, walking, learning a new language, and virtual team check-ins to mentally prepare for work and maintain productivity without the stress of commuting. The article also highlights the importance of having both morning and evening routines and encourages readers to take advantage of the flexibility that remote work offers.

Opinions

Commuting is an aspect of traditional work that many do not miss when transitioning to remote work due to its associated stressors like early starts, tube delays, and financial costs.
The author believes that the time saved from not commuting should not lead to extended work hours but instead be used to focus on personal well-being and routine establishment.
There is an emphasis on the need for a balanced approach to remote work, with the author suggesting the creation of a "fake" commute to help separate work from personal life.
The article promotes the idea that there are alternative ways to create a morning and evening routine without the traditional commute.
The author is in favor of using the saved commute time for activities that contribute to a healthy work-life balance, such as exercise, fresh air, learning new skills, and maintaining social connections through virtual team interactions.
The article suggests that regular breaks and scheduled walks, especially during winter, are important for maintaining productivity and mental health while working remotely.
The author values the importance of an evening routine, suggesting writing a to-do list for the next day as a beneficial practice.
The article encourages readers to support the author by subscribing to Medium or signing up for a newsletter, indicating a personal investment in the content provided and a desire to foster a community of remote work enthusiasts.

Early starts, tube delays, lots of money spent and many hours lost, pretty much sums up my commute for 2 years. A daily commute to work is something I do not miss since going full-time remote.

Since going remote in 2018 commuting is something I’ve not missed.

Many people say that a commute allows them to have a routine but there are other ways to create a morning routine and evening routine than getting up close and personal with sweaty people on the tube!

If you are no longer commuting to work, this doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to work longer hours.

You need to prioritise your time and focus on yourself in the morning.

By all means, if your company operates on a flexible working policy then it may suit you better to start working earlier than usual and finish earlier. Not commuting shouldn’t mean you now work longer hours to fill that time.

It’s important to recognise this and balance your time at home, managing your time and working hours is on you. To avoid falling into the trap of overworking, consider creating a fake commute for yourself.

Create a new routine for yourself, finding something that you enjoy to help you mentally prepare and get into the mood for work. This should help you replace the commute routine that you used to have, but just in a different and way less stressful way than actually commuting.

Here are some ideas to help you create that routine.

Take 30 minutes for yourself, allow yourself to wake up ahead of work.

Try some morning yoga, a drive, work out. Something that you enjoy!

Get outside for a walk, fresh air works wonders in the morning, find a podcast that you enjoy or listen to the radio if you used to do this when previously driving to work.

Try learning a new language, or get into that book you’ve been meaning to start for a while.

Set up morning check-ins with your team for 10–15 minutes to replace the office chats. You can talk whilst making your morning coffee, about TV suggestions or what you’ve been up to, or had for dinner etc. The usual office chit-chat.

Take regular breaks throughout the day, especially during the winter months. Get a couple of walks scheduled earlier in the day, before it gets too dark and gloomy!

Create an evening routine for yourself. This is just as important as a morning routine. For me, I write down my to-do list for the following day.

REMOTE WORKING

The Future Of Remote Working: How Should We Replace Our Saved Commute Time?

No more early starts, tube delays or expensive trains.

Early starts, tube delays, lots of money spent and many hours lost, pretty much sums up my commute for 2 years. A daily commute to work is something I do not miss since going full-time remote.

You need to prioritise your time and focus on yourself in the morning.

How have you saved time with no commute?

How Do I Make Remote Work, Work?

Routine. It’s all about having a routine.

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