Remote Working, is Fun!!!?

Did you already start questioning if I really had a correct title? Is it OK to have fun while we are remote working?

Actually you might forget, but working itself was supposed to be FUN!

Yes, if you recall when you decided to start your career and had this beautiful drawing for your future path, it was one of the main golden rules, to enjoy what you are doing.

If you lost your path, forgot why you are doing what you do, or not enjoying your work, you need a Wake-Up call, an Alert that you have to stop, and think where and why you lost your passion?

In the last couple of weeks a lot of companies decided to work remotely, because of the epidemic spread of Coronavirus, and some of them achieved 100% remote working environment.

So some of us are not used to work from home, they used to meet their teammates daily, having morning coffee, lunch break, or even have side chat and gossip a little. Surprise you can still do that online.

You can have a morning coffee meeting on a group video chat, and of course the daily Stand-Up Scrum meeting. You can share with your team ideas for breaks home made snacks.

So what technologies setups you should have:

• Fast internet line connection (no kidding!!).
• Video Conferencing software (Zoom, Meet, Skype for Business, ...).
• Machine with good Cam or external Cam.
• Agile/PM online sharing tool (Trello, Jira, TFS, ...).
• Team communications software or app (Slack, MS Team, WhatsApp, ...)
• A 2nd screen could be a good choice if the primary less than 15inch (A curvy monitor is a better choice)
• Consider also a wireless mouse and keyboard.

So some might complain that they might be distracted!! See, whatever is going to distract you in office, is going to distract you while working remotely. If the mobile distract you, deal with it the same as you do in office.

What about KIDS!!!

This is not OK!!

But this is OK!!

This is one thing that might give you extra pleasure, how? If your baby came to you to kiss his/her Boo-Boo, imagine how happy both you will be, it is worthless.

So start looking for the benefits, and how will you make remote working really works with you, and start remembering how to benefit from the time saved from daily commuting to work.

Now for real, how can we keep our performance and energy levels working from home:

• Wake up early as always: waking up late will give you the lazy feelings.
• Dress up as if you are going out: Believe me that can really change you mood, and remember that working remotely is not a permission to sit in shorts or boxers, you might be needed for a Video Call, and don't think that upper part is all what matters :)
• Select a good bright lightening room: remember that street view might give you distraction, a garden view would be better.
• Have a good medical seat, or comfortable couch: you have to sit for long hours so select wisely.
• Don't forget to exercise: you have to stand up every while, like you used in office to walk to the water cooler or have a snack, so walk a little inside your place. Don't keep drinks and snacks beside you, keeping it in a walking distance. Sitting all day in-front of monitor with no movement could cause billy-fat (the hardest to lose), and might also be hazardous for your health.
• Be more productive but still maintain the Work/Life balance: don't forget yourself and lose your orientation, your focus is to do your best and prove that remote working didn't affect your productivity, and not to lose yourself.
• Keep hydrated: this is one of the top problems for those working from home, they forget to drink so often to the extend that might affect health.
• Chat every while: your teammates are still there online, drag one of them or more to brainstorm a problem or something, they are still with you, but only virtually.
• Have frequent breaks doing funny activities: remember that work is fun, and you have to re-energize for more tasks to finish. Play with your kids, walk the dog, or watch Netflix, seriously.

Important notes to mention:

Remote Working can be done at:

• Co-Work Space: not advised now because of the spread of COVID-19.
• Coffeeshop: same like above.
• Home: if you can have your own room or space
• Small Private Office: that is what I selected because I lack a private space at home, you can find the picture above for my office setup.

So you are free to select what ever best works for you.

Helpful Resources:

• Dig Out Of Your Hole
• Outcomes Over Everything

Happy Remote Working!!

Written to you by Shady Selim, Senior Software Engineer @Andela, Remote working since day 1.