My learnings from remote work for 2 years

As I reflect on two years of remote work, I had many challenges and turned out it gave me many perks too. Here are the key takeaways that have shaped my perspective:

• Building Strong Connections: Remote work demands a deliberate effort in making one-on-one relationships. in absence of casual office interactions, I always tries to have casual chats(Slack/MSteams) with my team members
  
• Strategic Meeting Approach: We had team members from different time zones, so we had to move some of our meetings to times to suit everyone - like we had our daily standup in 2.30 PM in my local time
  
• Clear and Concise Communication: Mastering the art of concise written communication is paramount. “Communicate well, communicate often” - is a saying my CEO repeats a lot which helped me to over communicate. Over-communication becomes a guiding principle in remote work. Providing comprehensive updates, regular check-ins, and seeking clarifications foster collaboration and alignment.
  
• Visual Communication: Some people tend to keep their cameras off for virtual meetings, which I felt odd when we have small number of people in the meeting. So we tried to keep cameras on.
  
• Empowering Tools: The right set of tools is the backbone of successful remote collaboration. Platforms like Notion, GoogleMeet, MS Team and Slack streamline communication and project management, facilitating seamless teamwork.
• Distraction Management: Effective distraction management is essential for remote productivity. Silencing notifications and adhering to scheduled message-checking periods enhance focus and efficiency.
• Flexible working hours: The flexibility of remote work empowers personalized schedules. Leveraging peak productivity hours enhances efficiency and cultivates a healthier work-life balance. I started to go for morning run before start my work which I believes improved my productivity a lot. Also when I had to go for an appointment it was just small step out compared to taking day/half day off.
  
• Customer-Centric Connection: Working as a consultant to a client company, I have to make sure that all my work helps to meet client expectations. Adhering to questions like "Is It Right?" and "Is It Good?" helped me and my team make continuous improvement and innovation which aligns with our client's need.

Reflecting on these two years, the journey has been transformative. These insights have not only enhanced my professional approach but also enriched my personal growth. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of remote work, I'm eager to continue adapting and learning.

In conclusion, if you are starting with remote work, I hope the above insights prove valuable on your journey. There's always more to learn, and I'm excited to continue growing and discovering in this dynamic work environment.