One of the coolest perks of working remotely is flexible work hours. Not every job offers this perk, but when it does, it's amazing. If you’re self employed then lucky you, this is definitely one of the perks!

It's all about finding that work/life harmony we're all searching for

When it comes to remote work, flexibility is key.

Before you start picturing yourself working in your pajamas at 3 AM (though hey, no judgement here if that's your thing), let's talk about finding that balance.

Flexible work hours aren't just about working whenever you feel like it. They're about finding a schedule that works for you while still being available when your team needs you.

So, how do we strike that work/life balance?

Make sure you have core hours for team meetings and collaboration, doesn’t matter when but as a team there should be a common time where everyone is online at the same time. It doesn’t have to be every day, but at least 2-3 times per week so there is ample room for live collaboration and communication.

Whatever works best for your team, the idea is to have some overlap in schedules so you can connect, brainstorm and tackle projects together. Because let's face it, as awesome as remote work is, it's still important to stay connected and collaborate with your teammates.

Here's the beauty of flexible work hours

Outside of those core hours, it's up to you to decide when you work.

Need to take a break to walk the dog or hit the gym? Go for it.

Have a doctor's appointment or a family commitment? No problem.

Child needs a little extra attention? They’ve got it.

Need to concentrate on a task, you can go Untouchable (an awesome term used by best-selling author Neil Pasricha).

Unplug from all the distractions. Disconnecting and going untouchable during work hours can help you focus better and get more done without distractions. It's a great way to find balance and keep your mind clear for work. Just let your team know you will answer anything after your untouchable time.

Pitfalls of flexible work hours.

While remote work with flexible hours offer numerous benefits, they also come with their own set of challenges.

Communication challenges: Remote work often relies heavily on digital communication tools, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or miscommunication. It is important to recognize when this might be happening and work it out with your team mate.
Blurred work-life boundaries: It is easy to think “I will just do this last thing” or “I will quickly check my emails” after your work day has ended. You need to establish clear start and stop times so you don’t end up working MORE.
Feelings of isolation: Remote work can be isolating, especially for employees who thrive on social interaction or who are accustomed to working in a traditional office environment. Make sure to schedule social interactions outside of work to make up for the lack of in person connection at work.

With freedom comes responsibility.

For remote work to flow smoothly, you need to make sure you're getting your work done and meeting deadlines.

One way to achieve this is by using a centralized system.

There are many tools out there, such as ClickUp, Asana, Jira, Monday.com or Trello. It all depends on your business as to what system you would use.

We use ClickUp.

It provides a single platform for teams, offering a central hub to sort tasks, prioritize, monitor progress and collaborate seamlessly. With everything in one place, it streamlines communication and ensures everyone stays on the same page.

Embracing flexibility for productivity, freedom and a balanced life.

Flexible work hours, meeting task requirements, some core hours for teamwork and keeping individual schedules flexible.

It can be the best of both worlds. It's like having your cake and eating it too!

Flexible work hours in remote work