As a remote team, we’ve all grown accustomed to seeing our colleagues’ faces contained within rectangle boxes in Zoom meetings. We know their voices and the corner of their workspace behind them.
But what does it actually look like on their end? What kind of space do they need to be productive? We’ll take a peek inside the home offices of our team and see what lessons they’ve learned from working remotely.
In the first installment of this series, we’ll be taking a look at Terranox’s Salesforce Consultant, Jillian, currently working from her home office in Honolulu, Hawaii.
__________
I’ve always dreamed of working outside a traditional office, working anywhere at any time while continuing to learn and experience new things. Growing up in Hawaii, that opportunity didn’t always come easy, unless you worked as an independent contractor or owned your own business. After experiencing office and independent contractor life, Terranox perfectly combines the best of both worlds while cultivating an environment of trust and well-being. I can enjoy a flexible schedule, fun and challenging projects, ongoing education, and collaborating with a dependable team. February marked my first anniversary with Terranox, and I often think about how lucky I am for the opportunities over that time. The year has flown by (time does fly when you’re having fun!), and I’m excited for the opportunities to learn and grow in the years.
What’s the best thing about working remotely?
The best thing about remote work is the chance to build relationships with people all around the world. With the help of Terranox, I’ve connected with clients in our local area, across the United States, and even internationally. It allows me to experience new cultures and places that I may not have had the chance to explore otherwise. Additionally, I enjoy the flexibility that comes with remote work. No matter where I am – whether at my home office, the beach, visiting family, or waiting in an airport lounge – I can stay productive and on track with my tasks.
What’s your favorite thing at your desk right now?
My favorite things around my desk right now are my “desk friends”. It started with the rabbit and cat squishies my nieces gave me for my birthday. They said I needed some friends to hang out with at my desk. This year, the collection has expanded. Friends and family have picked up items from traveling or for holiday gifts. My two favorite items are the Dragon Quest-themed daruma, which symbolizes persevering through adversity and good luck, and the Mario Kart figurine. It reminds me that although we may live far away, we still care about each other. These “desk friends” help keep me from feeling overwhelmed and are fun reminders of friends, family, and travel.
How do you keep the work-life balance?
Finding a work-life balance can be challenging, especially when working remotely, as it can be difficult to separate work from home life. Working from home can often be perceived as always available, quickly leading to a feeling of “always working.” To maintain a healthy work-life balance, Terranox encourages us to prioritize self-care and make time for activities that bring us joy. In my personal experience, I’ve learned that it’s important to schedule breaks and meals into our daily lives and set aside time for personal tasks and hobbies that we enjoy. Additionally, it’s important to recognize when I need a break so that we can give ourselves the time and space to relax and recharge. Taking the time to practice self-care helps us stay focused and productive, ultimately achieving a healthier work-life balance.
What’s your typical daily routine?
- 6 AM – I wake up, have a big glass of water, and do a little light stretching. Starting my day calm and quiet helps to set the tone for the day
- 7 AM – I log onto my computer, check my email, Slack, and Notion, and begin my to-do list. I ensure that all tasks are up-to-date and prioritize them accordingly. This process helps me stay organized and productive throughout the day.
- 7:30 AM – Project stand-ups, where we spend 15 minutes updating each other, asking questions about what we’re currently working on, or asking for help by scheduling swarm time for later in the day. These help us stay on track and ensure efficiency in task completion.
- 10-11 AM – Tech Swarm. I look forward to this meeting every day. We collaborate on tech questions and work together to solve any issues. It’s rewarding when the team comes together, unblocks a story, and learns something new.
- 11 AM – 12 PM – Lunchtime is an important part of my day. Setting aside a specific time to eat helps me avoid getting too caught up in tasks or meetings and forgetting to eat altogether.
- 12 – 4 PM – I usually reserve the afternoon for build or swarm time. Since most of our clients are spread out across much of the continent, the afternoons are when I can do a last check-in or work on a task that requires users to be offline. Recently, I’ve also been using this time to study for my next Salesforce certification.
Workspace Overview
Equipment
- 16in MacBook Pro
- 35in LG Curved Monitor
- Logitech MX Keys
- Magic Mouse & Logitech G305
- Steelseries Arctis 7P
- Airpods
- HP Laptop
Tools
- Salesforce
- Browser Plugins: Salesforce Inspector & ORGanizer
- Zoom
- Slack
- VSCode
- Excel
- Diagrams.net
- Google Calendar, Gmail, Drive
- Notion
