Work smarter

In the first part of this mini series I spoke about how I got started in open source and what I get out of it. In this post I’ll be talking about the challenges. In some cases it’s not necessarily specific to open source and in others it might be specific to me or the projects I work on.

More and more professionals are required to be able to respond quickly and almost simultaneously to various requests. All this while they are connected with the world, through their email and cell phone, during most of the day. Between the inbox filling up, cell phone notifications ringing and deadlines to meet, losing focus and seeing productivity levels fluctuating is very easy.

While some companies are channeling their efforts to improve old offices, adapting them to new work dynamics and making them attractive enough for people to want to work from there, leaving their homes or 'work from anywhere', there are organisations that are one step ahead. This is the case with Salesforce, which, following a remote work logic, is committed to building a centre focused on well-being, mental health and social interaction among team members. Although located in California, Trailblazer Ranch will also be able to receive Portuguese employees. By the end of the year, the tech's wellness retreat should be used by around 10,000 employees.

It should be a smooth and simple transition, but it often ends up being a period of even more stress and work. Getting everything sorted out at work before going on vacation can be highly exhausting - which is also why it's so important to prepare for your time off work well in advance. Scheduling in advance is the key to making the most of your vacation, making sure you rest properly and have no professional worries.

Aveiro is a territory where the presence of water and nature are dominant forces. The richness of the landscape combined with the range of attractions and activities available invites remote workers and digital nomads to stay in this region for a few days. The idea is to work from here and, at the same time, explore the territory, the characteristics that the Ria de Aveiro (that is, the Aveiro lagoon) gives it, as well as socialising with the locals.

The office went into people's homes. In some cases it even goes with people wherever they go. It ceased to be a physical place and now occupies a mental place. But what about organisational culture? Is it restricted to the four walls of the workplace, or does it, like the office, occupy a place somewhere in everyone's mind?

One of the great pros of working remotely is related to the freedom to travel and get to know – as a tourist and also as a local – the places from which you choose to work. Whether between meetings, at the end of the work day or on weekends, there is always time to explore and collect new experiences.

From social media ads to search engine results and sponsored blog posts, digital marketing is more present in your daily life than you might think. And whether you are a small business owner, considering a career change or simply wanting to learn new skills, understanding and learning more about digital marketing can be a great addition to your career or business.