The 7 Mistakes Remote Workers Make

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Ten years ago, I was working 12-hour shifts on oil rigs in the middle of the desert.

Today, I'm writing this from home.

The shift from physical, highly engineering-based labor to working from anywhere taught me something:

Both environments have their own productivity challenges.

The 12-hour shifts were intense, but strong boundaries existed.

When my shift ended, work would not follow me to my bunk bed (unless there was an emergency)

However, in a remote-first workplace, there's a hidden cost of being "always available."

What happens when your office is everywhere and nowhere at the same time?

The Collaboration Paradox

For ~2 years, I worked remotely at a startup in a highly collaborative setting.

It was a wonderful experience. I learned so much about the modern workforce. Having access to a global talent pool can provide a startup with a highly competitive edge.

But one thing consistently shocked me:

Whenever I messaged someone on Google Chat, they'd respond in almost real-time.

It always made me wonder: when do people actually get into focused, deep work sessions?

Research shows tech workers check communication tools (Slack 👀) every 6 minutes. That's 80+ interruptions in an 8-hour workday!!!

We need to stop confusing being responsive with being productive.

The 7 Remote Work Mistakes

While I'm a big proponent of remote-first companies (special shout-out to today's sponsor, RemoFirst, for connecting global talent), many companies fail at onboarding and performance expectations.

Here are the mistakes I saw remote workers make (and what companies miss):

1. Chasing the Clock Instead of Energy

Just because we all have 24 hours doesn’t mean we use them the same way.

Remote workers often try to mimic the 9–5 grind, but energy doesn’t work on a schedule. So they make up for it outside of work hours and end up spending 12+ hours “working.”

Find your focus peaks and protect them. And avoid stacking B2B2B2B2B meetings.

2. Forgetting About Health

Remote work removes the commute, but it also removes natural movement.

The basics still matter:

• Sleep well

• Move your body daily

• Eat real food

• Take walking breaks

Your output depends on your input.

3. Working in Isolation

Remote work can get lonely fast. Don’t wait until you feel disconnected; build connection into your week.

Host a dinner. Grab coffee with a friend. Play a game with your partner. Social health is extra important in this setting.

4. Turning Your Bed Into an Office

Your brain has an association system: bed = sleep.

Mixing that up confuses your body.

Working where you sleep is like sh*##!ng where you eat. Create a dedicated space, even if it’s just a corner with a chair and desk.

5. Snacking All Day

When the kitchen is two steps away, snacking feels harmless (until you realize you’ve put on a few pounds and feel drained all the time)

Plan your food the way you plan your meetings. Eat with intention, not impulse.

6. Blurring Work and Rest

I believe in life-work integration, but there’s a line.

Instead of a strict 9-5, I like to identify and set my strict out-of-office hours. By setting distinct non-work hours, you prioritize your rest and distance.

7. Staying in Pajamas All Day

This one sounds small, but it matters. Clothes are cues.

No need to dress up! Swapping your sleep shirt for a clean T-shirt is enough.

It signals to your brain: work mode on.

Questions Worth Asking

As remote work evolves, here's what workers (and companies) should consider:

1. When during your day do you have uninterrupted focus time?

2. How quickly do you feel pressure to check/respond to messages?

3. What boundaries protect your best work?

4. Is performance judged by presence or by output?

Final Thoughts

The oil rig taught me something valuable: when you're physically isolated (truly remote 😄), you learn to be intentional with communication. Every call mattered. Every message had purpose.

Digital remote work has the opposite problem! Infinite access creates infinite interruption.

The challenge now isn’t connection. It’s intentionality.

Both employers and employees need to build a culture where communication is clear, deliberate, and respectful of focus.

What do you think? Hit reply and let me know. I read all emails.

See you next week,
George

P.S. Your opinion means a lot! Totally optional, but a quick testimonial really helps the newsletter grow.

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