Freedom to Work Anywhere, Part 3: How to Successfully Work Remotely

Editor’s Note: In a previous blog, Ken Chen says it’s possible to work from anywhere as a consultant. All it takes is some imagination, the right client, and the will to go for it. Take it from Justin Liszanckie who runs EM Marketing’s Design and Development practice. Bringing his office on the road has helped him find fulfillment through travel and work.

How EM Marketing Is Built

First, I’ve been successful at working remotely mostly because EM is built that way. We have consultants across the country (even some who are international!) who rely on each other daily to deliver for our clients. And of course, new technologies have made it even easier to stay connected; email is fine and all, but the advent of Slack and reliable video conferencing has dramatically improved our capacity to communicate in real time.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Working from Home

More specifically, I’ve been successful at working from anywhere (meaning outside my apartment) because it helps me avoid the pitfalls of working from home. Most people complain that working from home rather than an office can be too distracting or isolating, and both can be true.

Moving outside into the world helps combat both of these issues. It avoids the temptation of putting off work in favor of that nagging house chore. But, most importantly (for me), it provides the opportunity to get out into the world and engage with other humans in meaningful ways. This could be something small, like chatting with strangers at a coffee shop. Or it can be significantly more substantial, like getting out of town and enjoying an experience with family or friends that wouldn’t be possible with a normal desk job.

Unbound by Limited Vacation Time

Because I’m not bound by the normal limitations of “vacation time” — though I certainly like vacations, too! — I’ve been able to spend weeks with my family in Boston, enjoy a mind-blowing solar eclipse with friends in eastern Oregon, travel with my wife on work trips to Nashville/San Diego/New York, visit old college friends for a week at a time up and down both coasts, and so much more, all while bringing my office with me!

Exploring the world and nurturing meaningful relationships is what nourishes me as a human; that fuel gives me the energy I need to do successful work. The ability to do all of that, from anywhere, makes for a spectacularly symbiotic relationship.