It’s really hard to keep track of everything. Where do you keep all your to-do lists, shopping lists, work tasks, chores, meetings, and travel plans? Between notebooks, sticky notes, scraps of paper, and 1865 digital note apps, it’s easy to look busy just trying to find what you’re supposed to be working on next. Our guest on this episode is a marketer, writer, and productivity enthusiast. She founded a personal financial app. She thinks the best way you can be inspired and grow is to travel. She’s a big fan of Shark Tank. Especially Mark Cuban. And she describes herself as a HUGE Trello nerd. Ladies and Gentlemen, my new remote work friend Brittany Joiner.

Remote Work Friends

Brittany Joiner - Trello Shark

Desperate times call for drastic measures. Our attention spans are at an all-time low. Many of us suffer from FOMO (the fear of missing out) and compulsively check our devices to see what happened in the 12 minutes since we last looked at our phones. Our guest today doesn’t think technology and social media are bad at all. If anything, he loves them too much. However, he is so self-aware that he’s taken unthinkable steps to create physical and digital boundaries between his work and life. Get the full shownotes and links mentioned in the episode here.

John Meese - Drastic Measures and Digital Zen

Working a "regular" job in an office has a lot of unspoken rules and accountability. You're expected to be at your desk, attend meetings, and at least be physically present between certain hours. Remote work permits new levels of freedom that we're often not prepared for. If we're not intentional about our time and work environment, we can get easily distracted and fall behind on deliverables. Erik Fisher is a podcaster, productivity savant, social media maven, bacon connoisseur, and one of my oldest Twitter friends. He’s the host of the podcast, Beyond the To-Do List, where he interviews guests all about productivity, getting good work done, and living a great life. In this episode, we discuss the effect your work environment has on your productivity, why "hustle" and "grind" aren't bad words, and why getting more done doesn't necessarily mean you're being productive. Find the links and resources mentioned in the show right here. Here is Erik's real desk: 

Erik Fisher - Productive Environments

Freelancing is fraught with frantic work as deadlines get closer. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and like you're spinning your wheels looking busy without getting a lot done. Mike is the founder of Productivityist and the creator of TimeCrafting. If you’re tired of “doing” productive and want to start being productive, you’re in the right place. Our guest can show you how to define your day, funnel your focus, and make every moment matter.   Listen in as we discuss time themes, creating physical boundaries for life and work, our favorite analog tools in a digital world, and Mike's affinity for professional wrestling.   Find the links and resources mentioned in the episode right here.   Here is Mike's real desk:   

Mike Vardy - TimeCrafting

Working with family has its own unique challenges, but when you live AND work in the same room as your spouse things get a little interesting. Emily Mills is an illustrator in Nashville who teaches online sketch note courses and is the author of The Art of Visual Notetaking. Listen in as we talk about the lie most people tell themselves about drawing, her creative journey, and what it's like to work remotely with her husband sitting in the same room. Find links and resources mentioned in the episode right here. Here is Emily's real desk: 

Emily Mills - Sketchnote Maven

The systems behind the curtain of any brand are often neglected, or at least go unappreciated by the customer. Robby Miles is a productivity and platform handyman. He helps busy entrepreneurs by designing and managing operational systems, automated product funnels, content and course development, and customer service. Listen in as we discuss the hidden hurdles of transitioning from part-time to full-time remote work and what to do when your side hustle becomes your main hustle. Find the links and resources mentioned in the episode right here. Here is Robby Miles' real desk: 

Robby Miles - Digital Handyman

What would it be like to live and work from an RV full-time? Just a few days after getting married, our guest and his new wife hit the road for a 50-state tour in an RV. Talk about a memorable honeymoon! Listen in as we talk about what it was like to make such a huge leap, and how becoming a dad has changed things for a season. For links and resources, click here. Here is what Heath's desk looks like: 

Heath Padgett - RV Entrepreneur

The digital workplace can be isolating if you're not intentional about staying connected online and offline. Virtual assistants, remote workers, and full-time freelancers struggle with feeling alone. Remote Work Friends is a podcast and community for the digital nomad.