PORTLAND, Maine — It did not come as a great surprise when our tech guy, Rich Brooks of Flyte New Media, suggested we talk this month about how to be productive when working remotely hundreds or even thousands of miles from home. That’s because Rich has been spending the better part of a month away from Maine—a trip filled with a bit of vacation and a lot of work.
Rich did a Zoom interview with us. Here are the talking points and his tips on how to get the most out of your remote work when far from home.
207: "In 2024, the 'digital nomad' population has grown to approximately 40 million people, with the U.S. contributing nearly half of these numbers. While not a digital nomad himself, our tech guru, Rich Brooks, is on the road for a month, getting a better understanding of how to make this lifestyle work. Rich, where are you working this month?"
Rich: "I'm here in beautiful Puerto Rico for almost a month. We spent a few days checking out Old San Juan, then a few nights staying with friends, and now we're in our own Airbnb for about a three-week stay."
207: "And is it all work? All play?"
Rich: "The time in Old San Juan was just vacation and sightseeing; the time at our friends' was more of a hybrid, but since we've been in our own Airbnb we're putting in full days of work."
207: "How did you prepare for your remote work before you left?"
Rich: "You need to strike a balance between the tools you'll need to do your job and trying to travel light.
"I looked at how I work and the type of work I do in a typical week. Zoom meetings, auditing websites, reviewing documents, hosting a podcast, and so on. I realized that I absolutely rely on a second screen, but I obviously wasn't going to pack a giant monitor.
"I did realize I work better with a mouse, but I'm fine using my laptop keyboard. However, my girlfriend can't live without an external keyboard and the accompanying number pad, so brought hers."
207: "So what are the tools you brought?"
Rich: "I picked up a 16" portable monitor that slides into my computer backpack and weighs next to nothing for about $70.
"The podcast was a challenge because I need to have high-quality audio, but I wasn't about to bring my boom mic, my Rodecaster, or even my Blue Yeti mic. So I settled for my Sennheiser headset which offers good sound quality but doesn't take up much space in my suitcase. I bought it years ago for about $30.
"For video, the built in webcam on my laptop is OK, but I hate the up-the-nose perspective that most built-in webcams give you, so I brought an external webcam with me that I can set at eye level and still type. I bought that one during the height of COVID for $120, but you can find cheaper models starting at $30.
"Finally, my company has recently invested in NordVPN, a VPN service which encrypts our data and protects sensitive information while I'm using wifi on the road. You can buy it for yourself starting at $3/mo, and I noticed they're running Black Friday deals right now."
207: "What lessons have you learned from your short time on the road?"
Rich: "Having a go-to setup is important. I became much more productive once we got into our own AirBnB and I was able to set up in the guest bedroom that has a desk. Waking up each morning and being able to sit down in a work space that's already set up has done wonders for my ability to jump right into work.
"How you set up your space is equally important. The first few days I was in the dining room and there was a window directly behind me, making me a silhouette on any Zoom calls. I was constantly shifting my setup around for video conference calls.
"I also don't like showing that I'm working in a bedroom, and I'm not a fan of the blurred background, so I asked a team member to take a picture of my office from the perspective of my desk and I'm using that as a background instead. For people who regularly talk with me via video, it lets them know I'm in work mode."
207: "Any tips for people who will be spending extended periods of time on the road, and not necessarily from the same place?"
Rich: "If you can, choose places with reliable internet. You're toast without that.
"Find a balance between work and exploration. What's the point of working from exotic places if you don't get a chance to visit a rain forest, or find the local watering hole, or visit some museums?
"There are also groups like the Nomad List, the Digital Nomad subreddit, and Facebook groups, where you can find and connect with other people who enjoy this lifestyle."
207: "So, are we going to see you in person again, or will all of your segments happen over Zoom from now on?"
Rich: "Puerto Rico is beautiful and the people here are great, but I already miss Maine and can't wait to get in some snowboarding this winter, so I'll be back soon.
"But this has shown me that extended remote work is very doable, and we're already looking at other places we want to visit for extended periods where we can also work remotely. So maybe we can make this an annual thing?"