eSoup

Virtual Work: 5 Unique Challenges That Web Workers Face

People who work in traditional office settings usually envy the unique and flexible work lifestyle that web workers enjoy.

They may imagine us sitting around in our pajamas, eating ice cream and cheerfully working along without any of the hassles that life in a cubicle can bring.

People new to virtual work may be a bit surprised at how hard it is to adapt to this less structured lifestyle.

I've put together a list of some of the top things that web workers have to get used to in learning to work unattached to a physical office:

Working Virtually: Web Workers Have A Hard Time Taking Vacations

Working virtually has many perks:

• You can work whenever you like, day or night.
• You can work from any location, as long as there is an internet connection.
• You can structure your day to suit your lifestyle--you can break your work periods up during the day to fit your schedule.
• You can work from the comfort of your own home.

These are the lifestyle benefits that draw many people to work virtually. The result is less time spend commuting in traffic, less stress, a more relaxed daily life (no need to put on a power suit or even get out of your pajamas), and more freedom to organize your days according to what's important to you.

As attractive and flexible as this lifestyle is, it can create special challenges in setting boundaries between work time and down time.

Creative Gift Ideas: Giving Memories Rather Than Things

From the time I was a little kid, I've always loved to give people gifts. The fun part is thinking of something that will speak to the individual person and make them feel special.

As a passionate gift giver, I've noticed some not-so-subtle changes in our society in the realm of giving and receiving gifts. 

• Many people just buy what they want when they want it, so they don't have a list of gift suggestions for themselves when their birthday or Christmas comes around.
• Lots of folks are so busy attending to the needs of others (kids, spouses, work, family activities) that they have gotten out of the habit of considering what they would enjoy for themselves. 
• Many kids and families already have an overabundance of games and toys and adding a new one to the mix can be anti-climactic.
• People are relying a lot on gift cards nowadays. There's nothing wrong with a gift card to a person's favorite store, but it's not the most personal of gifts, especially for those who you're really close to. 

I've done a shift in my own gift giving in recent years steering away from buying products and more towards giving gifts that create memories. Here are some of my favorite ideas...