Working Remotely

From Oct 2021, I’ve become a working remote employee. Full-time. Forty hours a week, I work from my home in Hue while the rest of my team re-enters our offices in Sai Gon, Vietnam.

In more than 6 months with remote work, I can share that it’s had the following experiences with it.

Better for productivity

I grapple with interruptions while working in an office environment. There are a lot of meetings. Even more meetings aren’t relevant to me. Or sometimes, the noise from other team members when they’re discussing in the company.

Now I can focus on my work. Once I’ve done it, I have more time to perform well and produce a better product.

More time, more exercise, and more learning

When I worked in Sai Gon, I lost 2 hours going to the office and coming back home. Sometimes, later if there are traffic jams.

Now, I can wake up early, do exercises such as walking, running, or riding a bicycle. After that, I can read books or listen to podcasts.

Work everywhere, but it’s better at home

I can work at any location, from a coffee shop to the hills that are full of green trees. Even beautiful beaches of Vietnam.

But with me, working from home is better. Unbroken quiet envelops me, focusing my attention on tasks alone. I finish them with excellence, and they’re of high quality.

Alone, but in peace

Remote work is great, but the downside is remote work loneliness. In the beginning, you don’t feel alone. But as time goes on, loneliness increases.

But instead, peace. I spent more time with my family and friends. I can even spend time with my neighbors. They are always kind and friendly. They call me “Nốt”, it’s a my nickname because many people don’t know my real name. I love it, it’s simple and intimate.

Remote work is not easy

It requires a lot of effort to do it well. I must manage myself. I need to manage my own time, energy, and focus.

From scheduling meetings and planning priority tasks to prepare for a project. Then, train, mentor, and answer questions from other developers in my team.