What do a dad, digital nomad, mountain guide, and owner of a ceramic workshop have in common? All of them need to juggle their jobs with their hobbies and life’s missions. Gone are the days when career had to be the center point of our lives. Companies and teams, especially in IT, give their employees a free hand in doing what makes them happy, be it traveling and working on personal projects or spending time with their families and studying.
But how do you put this flexibility to good use? Being given an opportunity like this isn’t always enough. You also need effort, discipline, and a touch of persistence. At Applifting, we take pride in how much freedom we give to people. We’ve decided to reach out to several Applifters and ask them to tell us how they make the most of it and what kind of advice they would give to others who want to do the same.
Filip Šanca, performance marketer and mountain leader
For years, work took priority over everything. I sank a lot of time and energy into my career, thinking that it was a reflection of how successful I am as a person. And for a long time, it was indeed fulfilling. In just a couple of years, I worked my way up from an intern to a leader of a marketing team of twelve. I gained a lot of experience, I bought an apartment, and all in all, I was successful and proud of it.
However, at the same time, I noticed my priorities shifting. I wanted to move forward, to develop and grow, but it wasn’t my career that was going to make it possible. It was time to focus on other areas in life, and a corporate nine-to-five just wouldn’t cut it.
I’ve been with Applifting for over a half year now, and I’ve already managed to get certified as a mountain leader, spend six weeks in the mountains, and go off the grid in the Himalayas for a month. I get to do what makes the most sense to me in life, but I also have the certainty that when I get back home, I still have a steady income—thanks to a job I like.
Does that mean I can just slack off and skip out on work? Absolutely not. Making this sort of setup work actually requires more discipline and responsibility, not just in relation to your colleagues but also to yourself. You always need to make sure that whenever you’re gone, everything goes on without you, and your absence isn’t putting any roadblocks in your colleague’s projects. Plus it’s also a lot more noticeable when you’re not good at your job or when you’re half-assing it.
All this to say that working at Applifting gives you free rein to spend your time doing whatever is closest to your heart. With that said, you really do need to make your time at work count.
Vojtěch Šanca, marketing specialist and digital nomad
Ever since high school, I had been toying around with the idea of becoming a digital nomad. Traveling has always been a passion of mine, and the idea of getting to do that “full-time” was dreamy. After graduating from high school, I started working at Applifting, and by the time 2023 rolled around, I decided to give digital nomadism a shot.
It’s August now, which means it’s been three months since I started working from Bali. That’s workplace flexibility for me. And it’s working out great. That being said, you need to keep in mind that it’s not as easy as Instagram pictures might suggest. Working remotely requires a lot of discipline, planning, and most of all fully flexible communication. Not everyone is capable of doing their job from across the planet, not even at Applifting.
Before I made the decision to go abroad, I’d presented the idea to my colleagues from marketing and HR—that is to say, everyone I work with on a daily basis, all in all twelve people. I wanted to be sure no one was going to mind me leaving. Luckily enough, everyone supported my decision, and I was free to go. But even here in Bali, I keep open communication in mind. I regularly ask my colleagues for feedback, and I’ve marked each day in my calendar with eight-hour blocks to make it clear when I’m available. All this to keep communication smooth.
If you’re considering remote work, do take the time to think it through and make sure your colleagues are okay with it. If the answer’s yes, and if you’re lucky to be working at an easy-going and flexible company—like me at Applifting—go for it. It is absolutely worth the extra effort.
Damian Gorný, QA tech lead and owner of a ceramic workshop
I would say all of us most likely dream of having a job that gives us the freedom to chase after our dreams and push our limits. I found that kind of balance here at Applifting. I can work on things I enjoy and still find the time for my hobbies. It sounds great, and it really is. There are two sides to every coin, however. You just need to learn how to get it to stand on its edge. Why is that?
On the one hand, Applifting gives you the freedom and opportunity to follow your dreams. On the other hand, there are obligations, promises, and responsibility. If freedom is all you take, the coin tips over, and the balance is off. But if you deliver on what you promise, taking your own limits into account, then there’s no issue with doing something crazy with your life. Like I did with opening up a ceramic workshop.
As a QA tech lead, I have a lot of responsibility on my shoulders, and things don’t always go the way you’d expect them to. But it is the culture we have at Applifting that fuels my desire to keep trying new things and make use of all the opportunities life comes with.
With great flexibility comes great commitment
Workplace flexibility can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s about the freedom to go off and focus on what makes them happy, knowing that when they return, they can pick things up where they left them. For others, it’s about focusing on their hobbies, and for others yet, it all boils down to spending time with family or cracking down on studying. But we will talk about those who need to deal with everyday obligations next time.
Like Damian said, each coin has two sides. But making your own rules isn’t just about working at the right company, you also need a healthy dose of willpower, resilience, and responsibility. If you have all of these, you can take life into your own hands and follow your dreams.
We hope you found our colleagues’ tips inspiring. Now all that’s left is this final question: are you ready to take this kind of step forward?
