Working from San Diego

I said in my last blog that I would give an update, so here it is…

I’m writing this from sunny and rather warm San Diego, where it’s 10.30am so 6.30pm in the UK. Oh yes, I forgot to mention previously that there is an 8 hour time difference! I’ve now been here for 3 weeks, settling into my new surroundings and routine pretty quickly.??

The journey from the West Midlands to California was surprisingly uneventful and albeit extremely long, it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be, that said, jet lag is no joke and getting used to the time difference in the beginning isn’t easy - it’s a good thing we have phones/devices that simultaneously show local time and UK time too.?

Of course, it’s not a problem when on holiday whether here or anywhere with a time difference as you’re on local time and adapt within 24 to 48 hours, the difference and challenge comes when working remotely, not only for me but for my colleagues and all those I work and interact with as part of my role. Within Dafferns, we often have instances where time differences are present, working with clients and colleagues internationally but usually it’s a video call or a zoom meeting and not for prolonged periods of time, i.e. 4 weeks.?

Everyone has an opinion about technology, me included, as to how far it has evolved, how much we depend on it, how used to it we are and how it can take over our lives at times but without the current status quo I would not be able to do the job that I do and certainly not from the other side of the world, with minimal impact.?

If you read my previous blog on how this opportunity came about, you will know that myself and Angela both work for UK companies. We are never really out of touch with our teams as there is cross over, for example, late evening here in California is early morning in the UK and early morning here is late afternoon in the UK, so for meetings we ensure they’re in that time frame and then anything else works well with emails, teams messages, and what’s app. I’m not a morning person no matter where I am in the world, so luckily I’ve not had any meetings pre 7am yet and with only just over a week left I only have one at 6am. I must stress though that my colleagues and all those I work with are extremely accommodating and understanding.??

I would not have been able to have this wonderful new experience without the generous invite from Angela, kindness of the two home owners, the support of the Dafferns team but also what Trusted Housesitters offer their members.

House and pet sitting vs staying in a hotel – the cost alone makes this a simple possible vs impossible. Cost aside, to work remotely you rely on a good Wi-Fi connection as well as being able to work in an environment that replicates working from home. My time here has been like a home away from home, working and living like a local, with the addition of exploring a new city, meeting new people and helping to take care of 2 adorable dogs.?

I can’t nor would I want to do this frequently but as the Dalai Lama said “Once a year, go somewhere you have never been before”.?

Having the freedom to be able to do that, well, it goes without saying that I will definitely do this again (my bosses permitting)!??

Wonder where the next adventure will take me??