Remote async work is not all fun and games. Your assumption is that you’re going to be free. That’s not the case.
Most of the time,
First-time remote workers at Colonist don’t understand this difference. They continue the same behaviors as in-office work, which makes them feel stressed. They think they should reply to everything right away. They take no time off. They feel like they’re on call 24/7. They wake up with notifications. Throughout the day, they get notifications. Just as they’re about to go to sleep, they get notifications. Then they wait for more notifications and delay sleep.
But those who learn how to be efficient remote workers don’t have that trouble.
Here’s practical advice for overcoming the challenges of remote, async work:
When you get a message, it doesn’t mean you have to reply right away. If it’s simple, sure, do that. But if not, do it the next time you’re in front of the computer. 90% of the time, the person doesn’t expect a reply in the next few hours. So it’s okay if you reply in 6–12 hours.
Remember, async work is built on trust and results, not constant rapid responses.
You have unlimited flexibility. You’re not expected to work at any particular hour. Continue with your day. Live in the moment. When not working, fully enjoy your activity; when you’re working, fully enjoy your work.
You’re not confined to 9–5.
Office workers don’t need as much discipline. They just need to show up at the office at 9 a.m.; the rest is taken care of by the office culture. Remote workers need discipline. They need to figure out what schedule works for them and what their most efficient hours, location, and duration are.
Mute non-essential channels. Reduce noise by unsubscribing from or muting chats that don’t affect your core responsibilities. You don’t need to know about everything in the company the moment it happens. Your phone should only notify you of things you’re actively following and when you’re specifically tagged. You can check other ongoing discussions whenever you’re at your computer.
But on the other hand, it makes more sense to stay focused on your work and deliver it. It’s even better if you don’t check the other issues. Trust that your teammates will handle it and tag you if you’re needed.
You’re a human. You need a certain amount of social connection in your life. People who need it 7/7 days are probably not a good fit for remote work. People who need it 3/7 days or fewer are a better fit for remote work.
The office environment supplies this out of the box, so you don’t have to go looking for social connections. Remote work doesn’t supply that. You have to figure it out for yourself. Join run-clubs, board games, meetups, meet with friends, co-work with friends, or spend time with family. Left to itself, your social life will take a hit.
There are going to be so many of these. It’s impossible to list them all.
For me, one edge case was my mom. She didn’t understand how I could be in my room and work, so she continued disturbing me whenever she wanted. To this day, whenever I’m back at my mom’s place, she sees me as available to help her out with chores 24/7. Each time I go back, I need to reprogram her.
Mom, I work during these hours, so I prefer not to be disturbed. If you bring me snacks, please leave them “here” without disturbing me. I’ll grab them when I need them. I am free during “these” times, so we can hang out then.
Remote async work rewards those who are intentional with their time, boundaries, and communication. Mastering these habits is the key to thriving and truly enjoying the freedom that remote work can offer.
This switch usually takes a couple of months, but once it sets in, you’ll experience enhanced productivity and greater fulfillment.