5 Practical Yet Powerful Tips to Thrive in Remote Work
Working remotely presents earning opportunities, but also requires dedication and discipline.
Years ago, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman predicted that the future of work will be remote. He said that by 2034, the working world will be transformed into one big gig economy, where work will be more results-driven, rather than time-bound. The interview was done back in 2017, but the world is now seeing Hofman’s prediction come to fruition, with more people working freelance and offsite.
A study released by Gallup suggests that the future of work has begun, with 28% of employees in the United States working remotely and 51% embracing hybrid roles. In the Philippines, 52% of employees enjoy hybrid work set-ups while 27% do full-time remote work, according to a 2024 survey by PwC.
For 28-year-old Rui Custodio, the shift to remote work began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when circumstances forced the global workforce to work from home. The company she has been working for, whose headquarters is in the US, joined the transition. Probably realizing the significant savings in operational costs, the company decided to make remote work a permanent arrangement.
Rui, a single mother of three, soon realized that the new set-up also presented her with an opportunity to take on more work—something she badly needed to do, as her eldest was about to start grade school and she had two other children to support. This encouraged her to start exploring freelance work as a means to earn extra income.
“I wanted to send all my kids to private school,” she recalls. “So I really wanted to be able to afford it.”
For Rui, the transition was more strategic than spontaneous. Instead of indulging in Netflix marathons during the pandemic, she decided to take a short course in instructional design and upgrade her skills—a move that opened more opportunities. She was moved from HR staff member in her company to instructional designer. Outside regular employment, she discovered more work opportunities and bagged two side hustles from online job sites.
The Trade-Offs
Rui warns, however, that the journey has not been without its share of challenges. Juggling three jobs comes with an exhausting and tightly packed schedule. Since her employer and freelance clients are based in the United States, she follows a graveyard shift that starts at 6 pm and ends at 9 am the next day. Her daily routine has been both demanding and unconventional.
She wakes up at 4 pm each day to take care of her kids and run errands. By 6 pm, she begins working on her freelance projects, designing training manuals for clients, and squeezes in breakfast in between tasks. At 9 pm, she logs in for her main job, often joining Zoom meetings with team members in the Philippines and the United States. Her shift runs until 6 am, during which she stays in touch with the rest of the team. Afterward, she goes back to her freelance work until around 9 am, before finally heading to bed at 10 am.
Since she’s primarily focused on her main employer during the week, Saturday is her time to catch up on her freelance work and tidy up loose ends. Sunday is her only free day, which she spends with her kids.
“Because my work load is very demanding, I’m unable to spend enough time with the kids on a daily basis,” she confesses. “But the entire week cannot pass where I don’t make time, so I devote that whole day for them.”
She admits her routine can be exhausting. Rui hopes to find a job that pays better so she can lessen her load and keep more godly hours. But for now, she is thankful for the opportunities that allow her to double her income and single-handedly provide for her three kids.
Drawing from her experience in winning and retaining clients over the years, Rui shares advice on how to succeed in a remote work set-up.
1. Practice Time Management and Discipline
Working alone demands discipline and self-motivation. Since it’s impossible to always be in the mood for work, maintaining structure and following a set schedule helps sustain focus and productivity.
In Rui’s case, her main job is time-bound, and this helps her follow a regular routine. She then boxes out time before and after her shift to work on her freelance commitments. Additional strategies include creating a designated workspace to foster focus and productivity, and setting personal goals to stay motivated and on track.
2. Take the Opportunity to Upskill
Opportunities began to open up for Rui when she decided to take a short course and upgrade her skills. The experience made her realize she had transferable abilities that positioned her for higher-demand work.
“Confidence is nice, but credentials matter especially if you’re pitching to global clients,” says Rui.
3. Communicate Effectively
The absence of face-to-face interaction in remote work makes clear communication even more crucial to avoid misunderstanding. According to Rui, some employers tend to question how much time employees actually spend working and resort to time-tracking tools or screen recording to monitor productivity.
To appease such concerns, she recommends providing regular, timely updates and clearly communicating your daily tasks. Seeking consistent feedback also helps ensure alignment and mutual understanding between both parties.
4. Demonstrate a Strong Sense of Accountability and Personal Ownership
A remote work arrangement requires commitment and independence in executing assigned tasks. It asks for a high level of dedication and concern, and deep immersion in your client’s business.
Rui’s genuine interest in her client’s business shows when she designs training manuals for them. This guarantees that the program she designs is precisely tailored to the needs of the industry the client belongs to. In her other side gig as a ghost writer, she studies the writing style and voice of her client to ensure that her client’s tone is reflected in her work—not hers.
Rui always makes it a point to double check the quality of her work. She takes time to reflect on accomplished tasks and see what could still be improved.
5. Learn to Negotiate
Companies often hire remote workers because it allows them to offer wages lower than the market rate in their home country. Learning how to negotiate for better pay, therefore, is crucial, should one choose to engage in remote work.
For her part, Rui carefully evaluates the amount of work and time a position requires in coming up with her counter offer.
Rui looks beyond the job description and assesses how she can contribute more to the job. She uses points from her assessment in letting prospective employers know that she is worth their time and money.
“Usually when you try to negotiate, employers would low-ball and say they can get someone cheaper. So I explain the added value that I bring on top of their job checklist. When they realize that you have more skills and experience to offer, it hits them differently,” Rui shares.
Embracing the New Normal
If Hoffman is to be believed, remote work will become the norm for most of the global workforce within the next decade.
Working remotely is not as laid-back as some may believe. More than just a flexible way of working, it requires intention, discipline, and resilience. But for those willing to learn the ways of navigating the processes involved, it not only presents an opportunity to earn better income, but also serve as a path to greater autonomy and control over one’s life.
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