Tag: remotework

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Family holidays kathyhusser Travel

Visiting Banff

Yellowstone Lake - Nature is rejuvenating
Wishing you calm and happiness this season

Visiting Banff

Banff and Lake Louise in Canada are breathtaking destinations located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. These scenic spots offer unparalleled beauty, outdoor adventure, and rich cultural experiences. If you only have a few days, here are reasons to plan your travel to Banff today.

Stunning Natural Scenery

Banff National Park is home to majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and lush forests. The stunning scenery draws visitors year-round even in winter. Lake Louise is famous for its turquoise waters, framed by towering peaks. During the warmer months, the vibrant color of the lake is a mesmerizing turquoise blue.

Outdoor Activities

There are plenty of outdoor activities in Banff especially in winter. Hiking is one of the most popular and easiest adventures in the National Park. The region offers trails for every experience level. The Lake Agnes Tea House hike is a must-do, providing amazing views along the way. For a challenge, take on the Plain of Six Glaciers hike, leading to impressive glacier views. Always check weather conditions before heading out, and let people know where you’ll be hiking.

Adventure in Every Season

Banff and Lake Louise are equally magical in winter. Skiing and snowboarding are major attractions. Ski enthusiasts flock to the Lake Louise Ski Resort, one of the largest in North America. Banff Sunshine Village is another popular spot, known for its long ski season and diverse terrain. Ice skating on Lake Louise is a magical experience, especially surrounded by the snowy mountains.

Wildlife Watching

Wildlife is abundant in the Banff area. Elk, deer, and mountain goats are often spotted near hiking trails. Keep a safe distance from these creatures. The chance of seeing bears is higher in the spring and summer months. Guided tours offer safe wildlife viewing while exploring the area’s natural beauty. Be careful and on guard, as you are in the animal’s nature terrain.  Don’t be a news headline, and always be aware of your surroundings while hiking or scouting for birds and animals.

Exploring the Town

Banff is a charming hub filled with restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Stroll along Banff Avenue, enjoying local cuisine and culture. Don’t miss the Banff Upper Hot Springs, where you can relax in warm mineral-rich water while admiring mountain views. The beauty of Banff’s city life and outdoor activities provides you endless options to enjoy your holiday.

Lake Louise

Lake Louise is the crown jewel of Banff National Park. The Fairmont Château Lake Louise sits on its shores, offering luxury accommodations. Paddle boarding and canoeing on the lake are popular in summer. In the winter, the lake transforms into a frozen wonderland for ice skating.

Visiting Banff and Lake Louise offers an unforgettable experience. Whether hiking, skiing, or soaking in natural beauty, these Canadian destinations provide adventure and tranquility. With stunning landscapes and year-round activities, it’s a must-visit location for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

For more travel inspiration check out my website: KathyHusserTempe.com

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career careertips kathyhusser Librarian & Entrepreneurship

Making Friends Remotely

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In an era of digital connectivity and flexible work arrangements, the concept of “going to the office” has changed. Many professionals now find themselves working remotely, a trend accelerated by recent global events. While remote work offers numerous advantages, it can sometimes create a sense of isolation. It can leave individuals wondering how to make friends when their workplace is no longer a physical space. Fortunately, there are several strategies to create meaningful connections while working remotely.

Water Cooler

First and foremost, embrace the virtual water cooler. Just as office conversations often occur around the water cooler, remote workers can participate in digital equivalents. Engage in team chat platforms, join virtual meetings a few minutes early, and contribute to discussions. This provides an opportunity for casual conversations and shared experiences, fostering a sense of camaraderie.

Work Communities

Seek out remote work communities. Online forums, social media groups, and professional networking platforms are treasure troves of like-minded individuals who understand remote working. Join discussions, share your experiences, and engage in conversations that go beyond work-related topics. These communities offer a supportive environment to build connections based on shared interests and challenges.

Virtual Events

Participate in virtual events and workshops. Many organizations and platforms host webinars, workshops, and conferences that cater to remote professionals. Attending these events not only expands your knowledge but also exposes you to a diverse range of individuals. Take advantage of breakout sessions, networking events, and Q&A sessions to connect with attendees who understand your goals.

One-on-One

Initiate one-on-one interactions. While group interactions are valuable, establishing individual connections is equally important. Reach out to colleagues for virtual coffee chats or brainstorming sessions. These one-on-one conversations allow for deeper connections and the opportunity to learn about each other’s backgrounds, interests, and experiences.

Co-Working Spaces

Consider remote co-working spaces. These virtual spaces are designed to mimic the camaraderie of a physical office, providing a sense of community for remote workers. Many platforms offer chat rooms, virtual events, and collaborative projects, fostering connections in a structured online environment. You can also host your video calls in these spaces to increase your network.

Be You!

Be open and approachable. Displaying authenticity and a willingness to connect can attract others seeking friendship in the remote work landscape. Share personal anecdotes, interests, and even challenges. Vulnerability can create a sense of relatability that encourages others to open up as well. Remember, you have to be a friend to have a friend!

While working remotely might physically separate us, it need not isolate us from building meaningful connections. By leveraging virtual platforms, engaging in online communities, and embracing one-on-one interactions, remote workers can make friends beyond physical boundaries. In this digital age, the tools to make friends are at our fingertips; all it takes is a proactive approach and a genuine desire to connect.

 

Check out my website for more tips on working remotely and self-care: KathyHusserTempe.com

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career Librarian & Entrepreneurship

Stress Free Work

Tan and black French Bulldog with red harness
Get a pet to provide a stress free work environment.

The last two years has changed the way we work, learn, and interact with friends and colleagues. Read on for easy habits to help you develop resilience when working remotely.

Mindfulness

Working remotely can be lonely and even isolating if you work from another state or country. Develop a habit of clearing your mind every morning before work begins. It’s as simple as writing a To Do list and clearing your brain.

Furthermore, when you clear your mind, you are physically ready to meet challenges from work. I’m thinking examples such as, technology issues, connectivity hiccups or a very long  Zoom meeting.  Making room for these challenges enables your mind to tackle extra problems easier and be more efficient.

Get a Pet

Having a pet at your remote working location has many health benefits. Research has shown that dogs and cats reduce your heart rate, provide companionship, and alleviates feelings of isolation.

Having a cat is easier if your schedule is not as rigid. Cats can be left alone for a day or two with food and water. While dogs, require more one on one care, especially during the puppy years. Walks, playtime, and regular meals are what dogs need to thrive. The love and attention pets provide you will outweigh the time needed to provide for a healthy work companion.

Make a Major Change

With the Great Resignation a reality, consider living your dream.  What career would make you happy?  What home or lifestyle change would fulfill an unmet need in you? This is a personal, more introspective step to take, but very beneficial especially if you feel “stuck.”

Making a major change in your life, to fulfill something burning inside is a bold step. To fulfill the life you envision is life changing, to say the least. If you are not a risk taker, this can be scary. Make sure your family is on board and you have a support system in place. Finally, having a financial plan is especially important for a major change to occur and be successful.

Working remotely will not solve all your problems or make some people happier. It’s up to you understand your individual needs and live the life you desire. We all have responsibilities, but if there’s a will there’s a way.  Best of luck living your dream!

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career

Remote Work

Have an agenda and your goals will be accomplished
Have a plan and keep refining for success.

 

After the two-year long pandemic, we saw society change. Work cultures have changed. Many companies see advantages to remote work. However, many employers also see the disadvantages of not being in the office along with their employees. Read on for the advantages and disadvantages for working remotely.

Pros of a Home Office

If you’re a working mom or dad, you can skip this section! Having more time was the number one reason parents gave for working from home. I’m talking about parents of small children, care givers to elderly family members, and having more time for yourself. No commuting to work or dressing up, gives you more time in the morning. Remote work saves us all time since we are on Zoom meetings all day from home.

Time and energy are saved by working remotely for most employees. They love the convenience and life-work balance it’s created.  Meta has even taken it to the extreme, but results have not been fully evaluated as of this publication date. But, I’d love to work from a laptop in Hawaii or Europe!

Cons of Remote Work

However, with saving time does come a downside to never returning to the office. The lack of in person networking has seen some workers questioning promotions. The day-to-day social interaction is not there at home. Finally, the isolation you feel being along all day, even with a pet, is real for many workers. So is there a compromise?

Hybrid Working

A work model that’s popular is the hybrid model or splitting your time between your home office and the company’s location.  Hybrid work solves the issue of being in the office to socialize and network. However, depending upon the company’s culture, employees might never see one another due to the days selected in the office.

To help ease the transition, many employers are allowing the employee to determine days of the week or total days monthly in the office. If the organization is large, the times, days and hours of work can vary. Leading us back to the issue of no more birthday celebrations, victory lunches or water cooler chats with our colleagues.

What is the answer?  The jury is out on this one. Workers and employers are still dealing with this even today as Covid cases are lower and masks disappeared. Everyone agrees that when you provide a perk to workers, it’s very hard to back track and take it away.  This is a dilemma we will be talking about for a while. Let me know your thoughts on remote working and your situation.

Follow me at: KathyHusserTempe.com for more tips!

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career Travel

Remote Working Vacations

Yellowstone Lake - Nature is rejuvenating
Wishing you calm and happiness this season

With Covid still present worldwide and work being more flexible, think about taking a remote working vacation this year. What better way to take advantage of your time and see the world while enjoying remote work.  Below are the top spots to enjoy a trip and still easily work remotely. Even if you’ve never tried a working vacation, the pandemic has shown us, “never to say never.”

Think Big

With the ease of Wi-Fi connectivity worldwide, your imagination is the only thing stopping you from your next holiday. Of course, larger cities in the United States such as Phoenix, San Diego and New York rank very high in Wi-Fi reliability. So now think about overseas locations that would provide a life changing vacation and still allow you to work.

German based company, Holidu has ranked the best cities, so check out your dream trip before summer rolls around. Bangkok, Thailand and Barcelona, Spain rank high for overseas vacation workers. So, take the time to check out other destinations that meet your needs.

Time Balance

This goes without saying, that you’re on vacation but you are working, so balance is key. Think ahead about how your typical week will be planned out. With time zones, will you be checking email at 2AM or have enough time during your day. Think through current large projects, budget deadlines or other timelines that need extra attention.

Book a trip during a time that won’t require extra work or constant attention while away.  Have a list of activities to check out before you leave.  You are in a new city or foreign country so take advantage of your time and see the sites.

Legal Guidelines

If you are thinking you’d like to stay longer than a few weeks in your vacation locale, ask your company. There are tax implications, residency issues, and visa requirements if you work longer than a few weeks. This varies by country and most importantly by your organization’s HR rules. Know ahead of time how long you can stay before you encounter any legal issues or tax questions.

Asking a few questions of your employer before you venture out is a great way to start a new trend in vacations. Take advantage of remote working and see the world at the same time. Safe Travels! Check out my personal site for more travel ideas: KathyHusserTempe.com