Many people are curious about achieving work-life balance, especially in remote-first environments. This was a topic that came up frequently during my time as Head of Community and Support at StreamElements, both with candidates I interviewed and with colleagues across the company.
It’s important to acknowledge that my experience might not be universally applicable. I was single and child-free, and my most productive hours often fell during the evenings. Additionally, StreamElements embraced a remote-first culture, allowing me to structure my day accordingly.
Flexibility and Trade-offs
StreamElements’ standard work hours were from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, which can be later than some people prefer. To better align with my North American colleagues, I typically worked closer to 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This flexibility allowed me to embrace a key change in my routine: daily workouts. By starting my day at 6:45 AM, I could attend a 7:30 AM CrossFit class and be home, showered, and ready to work by 9:30 AM.
It’s important to note that working remotely doesn’t always mean “not working” even outside of designated work hours. The lack of clear boundaries between work and home can be a challenge. Sometimes, your mind might wander to work-related matters even when you’re not actively performing work tasks.
Embracing the Asynchronous
In Israel, the workweek typically runs from Sunday to Thursday. This means we enjoyed weekends when colleagues in other time zones were still working, and vice versa. While this could occasionally lead to asynchronous communication, it also offered a unique advantage: my Sundays were free from meetings, allowing me to work in a more relaxed manner and dedicate time to other activities. The same applied to my overseas colleagues on Fridays.
Prioritizing Personal Activities
To maintain a healthy work-life balance, I actively integrated my personal commitments into my work schedule. For instance, I participated in a regular TTRPG game on Mondays. By blocking this time on my calendar and only allowing extremely urgent meetings to override it, I ensured my personal time was respected. This practice of scheduling all activities, including non-work commitments, is crucial for maintaining clear boundaries and avoiding over-commitment.
Finding the Right Balance
My passion for game design led me to pursue a Master’s degree in the field while working full-time. Fortunately, my managers at StreamElements recognized the value of this endeavor and trusted me to manage my workload effectively while dedicating one day a week to my studies. Remote work during the pandemic further facilitated this, but even when attending in-person classes, I made up the missed hours by working longer on other days. The key takeaway? In a results-oriented environment like StreamElements, the number of hours worked matters less than achieving goals and delivering impactful results.
Self-Discipline is Key
This experience also highlighted the importance of self-discipline in a remote-first work environment. Managing your own schedule and workload effectively is crucial for success. However, if you can master this skill, you’ll find a rewarding and flexible work environment that fosters personal growth and well-being.