remote work Archives - Chloe Anagnos

Five Things to Do If You’re Not Content With Your Job

February 7, 2020 · In: Professional Development

A surprising number of people find that their job just isn’t satisfying enough. Maybe you’re not getting enough pay, or perhaps there’s just no challenge involved in your everyday work. Whatever the case may be, here are five suggestions that could help you out.

Learn new skills

Thanks to online learning, it’s possible to learn completely new skills over the internet in your own time. This is a great way to prepare for a different job or even learn new skills that can get you promoted.

Leave your job

If you’re really not happy with your current job then why not consider quitting? If you have other work lined up or a dream job that you want to chase, this is a good time to give it some serious thought.

Take a break

Sometimes, all it takes to rekindle your motivation is a little holiday break. If you haven’t had an extended vacation for a long time, then perhaps now’s a good time to take it.

Speak to your employer

If there’s something at work hurting your motivation, you could consider speaking to your manager or the relevant people in your workplace to speak about it.

Embrace a career detour

Detours aren’t necessarily a bad thing in life. They can help you embrace failures and even lead you down a path that you never considered before. For your convenience, we’ve included an infographic below that talks about career detours and how to make the most of them.

Infographic: University of Maryland

How to Stay Healthy While You Travel

September 15, 2019 · In: Travel, Travel Tips

Traveling on a consistent basis – especially for work – can truly become exhausting. What appears glamorous at first glance can quickly become draining if you aren’t intentional about maintaining your health.

Here are some easy ways to continue implementing healthy practices on the road.

Have a hotel exercise routine

Every little bit counts, so even if you aren’t planning on running 4 miles, incorporate physical activity into your travels. Create a note in your phone of some workouts you can do from your hotel room, use a workout app, or if you’re visiting family plan time to walk or jog in the morning.

Bring snacks

Lack of access to food leads to binge eating while traveling in airport terminals or at restaurants. Instead of indulging every meal, bring healthy snacks like almonds, RX bars, or other protein bars to feed your appetite. Your body will thank you later.

Stay hydrated

Though we all despise the idea of asking the person next to us to move during the flight, drinking water is important. Since water flushes out toxins and provides more energy, it’s important to keep your intake high. Buy water in the terminal, and either try to purchase an end seat when you can or start practicing your pitch to tell the person next to you you’ll need to use the restroom on the flight.

Sleep

Lack of sleep not only weakens your immune system – but it also affects your recovery from being sick. In order to fully enjoy your travels and set yourself up for success upon returning, sleep must be a priority. Try using the Calm app or noise machines on your phone to help rest if you are anxious sleeping.

Have an emergency kit

Carrying emergency items like Emergen–C, Excedrin, hand sanitizer, granola bars, caffeine pills, medication – really, whatever you need to function – can offer peace of mind. Keep a small pouch of airplane-friendly items in your purse, briefcase or backpack with a steady supply that’s ready in case you need it.

Stick to a routine or establish one quickly

Though the nature of your travel can drastically vary depending on if you’re on vacation, attending sales meetings, or simply working remotely – do your best to establish creating some system to adjust more quickly. For instance, if you’re leisurely traveling from the east coast to the west just for a couple of days, try to stay on your east coast time clock. Or, if you’re visiting a new country for a period of time, try sleeping on the plane or scheduling time to adjust to the new time zone.

Pro tip: Don’t touch your face. I’m serious. When you’re out and about touching surfaces like counters, handrails, doorknobs, or table trays on an airplane, germs can build up. If I’ve been out of the house, but especially if I’m traveling, I wash my hands or use hand sanitizer before I touch my eyes, nose, or mouth.

It may seem a little crazy but it works for me, plus, I haven’t had a cold or the flu in almost ten years. (Sinus infections are another story, however.)

Ditching the 9-5: How to Find Remote Work Opportunities

June 5, 2019 · In: Marketing, Professional Development, Technology, Travel

Digital nomads use telecommunications technologies to earn a living. I’ve been working remotely since 2016 and have been a digital nomad since July 2018. I often work remotely from countries other than the United States, coffee shops, public libraries, and sometimes co-working spaces.

It’s starting to become the newfound “millennial dream,” but without hard work, it can be difficult to make it a reality. The daily grind, cultural norms, and rising student debt can also get in the way. Though landing a remote position may seem daunting, nearly 38 percent of workers will be able to work remotely in some capacity over the next decade, according to Remote.co.

Here are some easy ways to get started researching opportunities regardless of your background to begin settling into remote work.

Earn your way there with your current company

Though it may seem impossible to earn remote status with your employer, step out of the lens in which you view your position and ask yourself: “Is it possible to work remotely within my current role? Does anyone else at my company do this?”

Even if only one person works remotely, you may have the leverage to begin initiating conversations with your employer if you’ve paid your dues.

Though it may seem to be a risk, if you’ve been loyal to your company, nothing is impossible. Though it may mean moving to a different position or leveraging odd hours, be open to discussing new possibilities.

Pick up clients as a freelancer

If you’re interested in this workstyle but are unsure if working remotely may be the right lifestyle for you, consider taking on several clients as a freelancer, initially.

This way you can begin to establish work rhythms that will benefit you if and when you do make the decision to transition into remote work.

If you have a skill like graphic design or photography where you could grow your client base, consider starting your own small business.

Look for startups on websites like Angie’s List and note the companies

There are websites that can guide you on your search to finding the right remote positions, just like Angie’s List. Many tech companies offer remote opportunities directly from this website. As you search for positions online, Google also offers “work from home” as a filter as you aspire to search for positions as well.

Consider making a spreadsheet of all the companies you find that have these opportunities, and connect with hiring managers on LinkedIn. Though there may not be a position you qualify for immediately, begin scoping out companies you would like to work for and continue to check back for the right opportunity.

Look into creative circles

Creative Mornings and Creative Circle are great resources as you continue the search to help you land remote work, in addition to networking with like-minded digital nomads.

Co-working spaces are another creative outlet to network and collaborate with other entrepreneurs. Seek out any opportunity to cultivate relationships with people who currently work remotely and aspire to learn from them.

Take on multiple jobs and passions

Though some may find certain jobs unappealing, a compromise to obtain a remote lifestyle may mean sacrificing your full-time salary, in exchange for a lower paying job.

Therefore, taking on multiple passions – like your remote position that gives you work flexibility in addition to another revenue stream – may make this lifestyle possible for you a bit sooner. Explore different options and combine the passions that generate revenue.

Go all in!

Even if you hate your job, remember that no one is forcing you to work there. Be thankful for the income, development, and stability your company provides no matter your frustrations.

But when the time comes, don’t be afraid to take the leap and go all in to embrace remote work.

I’m Social

chloeanagnos