Focus Music: What it is and Why it Works
Sept 29, 2020 By Allison Baughman
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One of the most revolutionary epiphanies a remote designer can have is that tools are actually able to lighten your workload. This sounds obvious but isn’t always at the forefront of a designer’s mind.
I’m often asked how I landed a career in Tech where I can not only do what I love but do it without the confines of an office and from anywhere in the world (with a strong WiFi signal, of course). Honestly, it took some trial and error, identifying the career path I wanted to take, loads of networking, and a lot of courage to make the leap.
As a remote worker, I field distractions from every which way. My phone buzzing in my pocket, the cries of hawkers outside my window in Hong Kong, the sunshine softly calling my name, and my boyfriend in the other room getting ready for work… I mean, am I ever going to be able to put my head down and get some work done?
Disclaimer: I’m a pilot, not a doctor. But over the past decade, I’ve racked up some serious hours of body clock confusion while traversing over 100 countries and states that I’ve been fortunate enough to pass through for work and/or play.
The one fear I often hear about remote work is one's ability to stay focused and achieve goals without the physical space of an office. For someone who has done both and would choose remote work over the office any day, it seems like I have figured out a secret that other people are missing.
When I first arrived in Southeast Asia, I felt as many first-timers often do – completely and utterly overwhelmed. Landing in Hanoi just over two years ago, exhausted from the long-haul flight via New York, I remember feeling excitement and chaos around me.
When I’m in the zone, I’m in the zone. It’s work, work, work until my focus starts to loosen and mind begins to wander. But these work stretches can last for hours at a time and before I know it, it’s dark outside and my eyes are still glued to my laptop.
Being a stand-out designer means you can never stop learning, evolving, and understanding. Here are the books you should read to keep current and stay inspired.
It’s easy to imagine remote workers romping around the globe, laptop under one arm, and a surfboard under the other, but this just isn’t the reality of the situation. Rather, remote workers (the successful ones, anyway), have a structure to their days and a routine in their back pocket which generally dictates work first, surfing, and beach-going second.
Being a remote international designer, I definitely miss out on things like office rapport, cubicle culture, and a team atmosphere. I work on my own most of the time and don’t really have co-workers in the traditional sense.
We all have goals that sometimes feel unobtainable. But a lesson from the super accomplished led me to understand how to break down my time in a way that made the impossible feel not only possible but easy.Â
Carolina Gray aka Cobra Doll is a Berlin-based painter, illustrator, and mixed media artist. Here she explores the life experiences that have made her the artist she is today.
It takes a long time to understand and appreciate balance in life. Learn about my first-hand experience in burning out but ultimately finding my career-zen.
Dace Burkevica SÅ«na is a Latvian artist living and working in Los Angeles. Below she discusses her journey becoming an installation artist.
Josh Lee is an American artist living and working in NYC. Below he discusses his journey becoming a visual artist with mixed media applications and the art of fucking up a good photo.