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Remote Work Tips

Sereja
Sereja
Mar 3, 24

Remote work has transformed from a perk to a necessity. Here’s how to make the most of it as a developer.

πŸ› οΈ Setting Up Your Workspace

πŸŽ’ The Essentials

  • Dedicated workspace: Even if it’s just a corner
  • Good chair: Your back will thank you
  • Proper lighting: Natural light + task lighting
  • Quality headphones: For focus and calls
  • Reliable internet: Invest in good connectivity

πŸ’» Tech Setup

Home Office Stack:
β”œβ”€β”€ Primary monitor (27"+ recommended)
β”œβ”€β”€ Mechanical keyboard
β”œβ”€β”€ Ergonomic mouse
β”œβ”€β”€ Webcam (external > built-in)
└── Standing desk (optional but recommended)

⏰ Daily Routine Structure

β˜€οΈ Morning Ritual

  1. Start at consistent time
  2. Get dressed (yes, really)
  3. Review daily goals
  4. Check team updates
  5. Begin with deep work

πŸ“… Time Blocking

9:00 - 11:00 β†’ Deep work (no meetings)
11:00 - 12:00 β†’ Meetings/Collaboration
12:00 - 13:00 β†’ Lunch + walk
13:00 - 15:00 β†’ Coding/Reviews
15:00 - 16:00 β†’ Admin/Learning
16:00 - 17:00 β†’ Wrap up/Planning

πŸ’¬ Communication Best Practices

πŸ“£ Async First

  • Document everything
  • Over-communicate progress
  • Set clear expectations
  • Use threads effectively

πŸŽ₯ Video Call Etiquette

βœ… Do:

  • Test audio/video before calls
  • Mute when not speaking
  • Use virtual backgrounds sparingly
  • Be present and engaged

❌ Don’t:

  • Multitask during meetings
  • Forget time zones
  • Schedule back-to-back calls
  • Ignore video fatigue

πŸš€ Staying Productive

πŸ… The Pomodoro Technique

function workSession() {
 work(25); // minutes
 break(5);
 
 if (sessions % 4 === 0) {
 longBreak(15);
 }
}

πŸ™ˆ Minimize Distractions

  1. Use focus apps (Forest, Freedom)
  2. Separate work/personal devices
  3. Set boundaries with family
  4. Create β€œdo not disturb” signals

🧘 Mental Health & Wellness

πŸ€— Combat Isolation

  • Schedule virtual coffee chats
  • Join developer communities
  • Attend online meetups
  • Pair program regularly

πŸƒ Physical Health

  • 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 min, look 20 ft away for 20 sec
  • Stretch regularly: Set hourly reminders
  • Stay hydrated: Keep water nearby
  • Take real breaks: Step away from screen

🧰 Tools for Remote Success

πŸ—£οΈ Communication

  • Slack/Discord for chat
  • Zoom/Meet for video
  • Loom for async videos
  • Notion for documentation

πŸ’» Development

  • VS Code Live Share
  • GitHub Codespaces
  • tmux for terminal sharing
  • Docker for consistency

⏳ Time Management

  • Toggl for time tracking
  • RescueTime for productivity
  • Calendly for scheduling
  • Forest for focus

βš–οΈ Work-Life Balance

🚧 Setting Boundaries

Work Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM
β”œβ”€β”€ βœ… Respond to messages
β”œβ”€β”€ βœ… Join meetings
└── βœ… Be available

After Hours: 5 PM+
β”œβ”€β”€ ❌ Check work email
β”œβ”€β”€ ❌ "Quick" fixes
└── ❌ Feel guilty

πŸŒ™ End of Day Ritual

  1. Review completed tasks
  2. Plan tomorrow
  3. Close all work apps
  4. Physically leave workspace
  5. Transition activity (walk, exercise)

⚠️ Common Pitfalls

  1. Working too much β†’ Set hard stops
  2. Never leaving home β†’ Schedule outside time
  3. Poor ergonomics β†’ Invest in setup
  4. Skipping lunch β†’ Block calendar
  5. Isolation β†’ Proactive socializing

🌈 The Silver Lining

Remote work offers:

  • No commute stress
  • Flexible schedule
  • Global opportunities
  • Better work-life integration
  • Location independence

🎯 Final Thoughts

Remote work is a skill. Like coding, it improves with practice and intentional effort. Be patient with yourself as you find your rhythm.

Remember: The best remote setup is the one that works for YOU.

What are your favorite remote work tips? Share them below!

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