Alex Waite has been working fully remote is a freelance writer in London for 4 years.
In this version of Perspectives, he shares tips and pointers on work-life balance and staying productive.
What is your job title and what does your job involve?
Journalist/content writer. I research and write news articles about sport. I also write blog posts and web content for some clients on various other topics.
What is your current working structure?
Fully remote. Occasional work from library, shared workspace or football ground.
How long have you been working remote/hybrid?
Since 2020.
What tips would you give to stay productive when working remotely?
I try to set small manageable tasks throughout the day. For instance, I will work in one hour chunks, then take a 15-20 minute break, rather than try and work for 4-5 hours straight.
How do you stay motivated working from home?
As a freelancer, getting enough money each month is the biggest motivator. I also find variation important each day. When I can, I go to the gym, a coffee shop, or for a jog so I have time away from my desk.
What’s your current remote work setup
I work from a desk in my living room and use a laptop. I have everything I need in one space and I have a dedicated area for work to separate living from working environment.
What does your typical remote work day look like
My work involves a lot of evening and weekend hours so scheduling can be tricky for leisure and professional time. I tend to dedicate 9-5ish each day for professional tasks and outside of these hours for personal (dog walking, socialising, housework, etc.). If I work an evening or weekend, I tend to block a few hours the following morning/day as leisure time so I have a balanced schedule.
What tips would you generally give when working remotely?
Getting a hobby that involves getting out of the house is helpful as it gives you a reward to work towards. I try to play football or golf every other week. I tend to focus more and have more motivation to meet deadlines if I have something fun coming up, rather than just more work.
What does your company/do you do to facilitate a better work-life balance/remote work life?
Regular calls/check INS. Some former clients have offered budget for Wi-Fi, subscriptions and technology.
What do you think the future of remote work looks like?
I think remote work is still a relatively new feature of professional life so it’s hard to see how it evolves. But I think people are starting to invest more in home/offices to support home working. If companies get on board with this, technology and Wi-Fi contributions could be common in job ads/offers to support remote workers.
