Rolling remote with Hannah Ballard
Hannah is a freelance content writer and community-builder, whose currently on a multi-year journey around the world. Since leaving her home in England in 2016, she’s made her way across four continents to her 18th and current home base: Melbourne, Australia. For most of 2018, she worked in the passenger seat of a camper van, but also frequents coffee shops, libraries, and coworking spaces (in Melbourne she suggests TwoSpace and OneRoof Melbourne). Next up? Bali.
Since jugging multiple clients while traveling isn’t easy, Hannah shares the details of her portable home office and the time-management philosophy she swears by. [Editor’s note: I’m so intrigued, I’m trying it out this week.]
Quick-fire profile
How many years have you worked remotely? 3 years
Where are you based? My home base is in the U.K., but I’m writing my way around the world and am currently in Melbourne, Australia.
Where do you spend most of your remote work hours? Home office, coworking space, coffee shop, and libraries.
Are you most productive in the morning or at night? Early bird
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Hannah’s workspace setup
What type of desk do you typically use?
I alternate between standing and sitting. I also use a laptop stand.
What features do you like most about your work space?
My set up is portable so I can make coffee shops more ergonomic
Do you share your work space with anyone? Tell us about them!
Remote work pros and cons: Hannah’s take
What are the biggest pros and cons of remote work for you?
Pros: schedule flexibility, travel flexibility, more time from cutting your commute, less stressful work environment
Cons: worse work-life balance, feeling isolated/less connected with colleagues, fighting the stigma of not working as hard as non-remote peers
Working remotely tips and tricks
What software technologies do you use on a regular basis?
What habit allows you to be more productive during the day?
Planning days and tasks using the Pomodoro Technique
What are the 3 items you can’t live without while working remotely? (If you have a brand you love, please name them!)
- A powerbank
- Kogan adjustable laptop stand
- MINISO bluetooth keyboard + mouse
Answers have been lightly edited and links were added.
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