I started DeskGuru because I am convinced that anyone can work in a healthy position from almost any workstation. At the office, at home and also abroad.
Since 2008, I have worked mainly online. Part of the year I work with my husband from abroad. Currently a few weeks from Oman – which suits me very well! Good Internet, surprisingly affordable, little time difference. And of course great weather – currently 25 degrees.,,,
Of course, I don’t want to make you jealous – or maybe I do! Working from abroad is good for you. As an ergonomist, I encourage it and am happy to tell you why. Perhaps these arguments will also help convince your employer đŸ˜€.
1. Good for creativity
Working from a different environment takes you out of your routine and stimulates creativity. New stimuli, other cultures and unfamiliar situations often help me look in a different way to “issues”. I usually make strategic business decisions abroad.
The physical distance from the Netherlands often helps me psychologically, in my personal life too.
2. More efficient and better work-life balance
When I am working abroad, after work and on weekends, I immediately feel like I am on holiday. Since I of course want to enjoy my holiday as soon as I can, I find that I am often better at separating the really important work from things that can wait. I also work faster and can better turn to ‘boring’ projects that do need to be done. Doing administration with a view of the sea is a lot more fun!
I regularly hear from employees I speak to that they do their work more efficiently when they are away from the office. They face fewer distractions from colleagues and can organise the day as they like. This often creates a better balance between work and leisure.
3. Sun = energy
I know few people who go to darker or colder climates for a “workation”, and that includes me: I usually leave in the European winter and seek out the sun. I haven’t really had a winter dip for a long time. Sunlight provides more energy, and helps me stay fresh and focused for longer.
For me this is less ideal, but my husband works abroad with his laptop whenever he can!
4. Switching between work and play
Between work, I often take a walk in nature, explore the city or have lunch somewhere. In some places, I could even take a dip in the sea during the day. I think that variety keeps me sharper during ergonomic workstation assessments and makes my work even more fun!
5. There are more and more places to work from
Until recently, there were surprisingly few places in the world that met my criteria: affordable, good Internet, sunshine and little time difference. Especially with the rollout of 5G, the choice is rapidly increasing.
In 2008, there was no country in Africa where remote working was an option for me. In 2023, I spent a month in Accra (Ghana) and my Internet connection was often faster than it is in my Amsterdam home office!
6. More affordable than you (may) think
Many people think that working remotely abroad is expensive. But there are surprisingly many countries where you live cheaper than in the Netherlands, even if you include travel costs. Working from India for 2 months makes us money on the bottom line, especially if we can temporarily rent out our flat in Amsterdam!
7. Good for personal development
Over the past 17 years, I have worked for extended periods of time from places like Ghana, Greece, India, Malaysia, Suriname and Thailand. I have met many people I would otherwise never meet, and had to adapt a lot to other cultures. I believe these experiences have made me more flexible, and ensured that I better understand people from cultural backgrounds different from my own. In my work, this also helps me directly, as I work for many international companies with employees who come from all over the world.
In short, remote working is not only good for your productivity, but also for your personal growth and well-being. Are you curious about how you can work in a healthy way from anywhere? Book an online workstation assessment!