Edition #18

Let's talk about the lie you're telling yourself.

You think the problem is you.

You think that you need to work smarter, show up differently, or find some magic formula to make remote work actually feel like freedom.

But the problem was never you.

The problem is that you're working remotely at a company that isn't actually remote-first.

And that gap is quietly destroying the exact freedom you fought to get.

A lot of remote workers are terrified. They won't admit it, but they are.

They’re terrified of being invisible.

When you're not in the office, there's this gnawing fear that your boss forgets you exist. That your colleagues think you're slacking. That one day, they'll realize they don't actually need you because they can't see you grinding.

So what do you do?

You overcompensate.

You log in early or you stay late. You answer Slack at 9 PM. You put in serious work, but instead of that effort building your career, it's just keeping you visible enough to survive in a company that wasn't built for remote.

And in your current company, you probably have to.

Because they're not actually built for remote work. They just allow it.

There's a massive difference between a company that "allows remote work" and one that's remote-first.

Remote-tolerant companies:

Remote-first companies:

In a remote-tolerant company, your overcompensation isn't paranoia. It's survival.

Because they're judging you by office standards while you're working from home.

I'm going to take a guess that at least two of these hit close:

1. Your work hours have no boundaries

You supposedly work 9-5, but you're checking email at 7 AM and closing your laptop at 8 PM. Weekends? "Just a quick thing." You're working more hours than when you had a commute - because you feel like you have to prove you're actually working.

2. You can't disconnect without anxiety

Stepping away from your desk feels wrong. What if someone needs you? What if they think you're not available? Your phone is always close. You check Slack during dinner. Because in this company, "remote" just means they can reach you anywhere, anytime.

3. You say yes to everything

It’s not because you can't manage your workload, but because in this environment, visibility and perceived commitment matter more than your actual output. Your hard work alone isn't enough because unlike your in-office colleagues, you don't get the benefit of the doubt. You have to earn it. Every. Single. Day.

4. You've turned breaks into guilt trips

Lunch break? You eat at your desk with Slack open. A walk? Maybe later. Time off? You'll take it when things slow down (spoiler: they never do). In a remote-tolerant company, being away from your desk is noticed more than the quality of your work.

Sound familiar?

This is a problem with company culture, not a problem with YOU.

Being a high performer in a remote-tolerant company is a dead end.

You can't sustain it. The constant availability, the performative productivity, the anxiety every time you step away - it's a fast track to burnout.

And the kicker is that even if you do everything "right," you're still behind.

Because in a remote-tolerant company, the people in the office have an advantage. They get face time. They're in the "real" conversations because they're visible by default.

You have to work twice as hard to get half the recognition.

Meanwhile, in a remote-first company?

Everyone's playing by the same rules. The documented, async rules. The ones where your work speaks louder than your Slack status.

You're not fighting for visibility to build a sustainable career.

Let me tell you what changes when you work for a company that's actually built for remote:

You have real boundaries - and they're respected.

"I'm available 9-5 EST and respond to messages within 24 hours." That's just... normal. Because everyone operates async by default.

Meetings have agendas and outcomes.

No more "let's jump on a quick call" that could've been a Loom video. Meetings are intentional, recorded, and optional if you can catch up async.

Your work is visible by design.

Weekly updates, project documentation, clear ownership. You're not scrambling to "show" your value because the systems already surface it.

Taking a break doesn't trigger a crisis.

You can go for a walk, take a real lunch, and log off at 5. All because the company culture doesn't equate availability with productivity.

You advance based on impact, not face time.

Promotions go to people who deliver results and contribute to the mission - not people who are online the most or respond the fastest.

This is how remote-first companies actually operate - it’s not a fantasy.

I know what you're thinking: "But my company says they support remote work."

Do they though?

Or do they just tolerate it while quietly wishing everyone was back in the office?

When you land a role at a remote-first company:

You stop performing availability and start delivering results. You have energy again and your work quality improves because you're not constantly interrupted or anxious.

You think strategically instead of reactively. You stop being the person who does everything and start being the person who does the right things.

And guess what? You actually advance.

Because you're not burning out trying to prove yourself. You're building expertise, taking on meaningful projects, and growing in an environment designed for you to succeed.

Remote work was supposed to give you freedom, time with your family, and space to think. The ability to design your life.

But if you're working more than you did in the office, you didn't escape anything. You just changed the location of your burnout.

🎯 Fully Remote Jobs (No "Fake Remote" Here):

Look, I get it. Maybe you fought hard to get remote work approved. Maybe your company is "trying" to make it work. Maybe you feel like you should be grateful.

But here's what I learned after years in corporate and now helping professionals land senior-level remote roles:

The problem isn't you. It's the environment.

You don't need better boundaries (though those help). You need a company where boundaries are the default.

You don't need to work less hard. You need to work somewhere that hard work actually speaks for itself, without having to perform availability on top of it.

You don't need to be less committed. You need a company that's actually committed to remote work - not just tolerating it.

The professionals who thrive in remote work aren't the ones grinding the hardest. They're the ones who found companies built for remote from the ground up.

Companies where async is the norm. Where documentation is valued. Where trust isn't something you perform - it's built into how they operate.

And they sure as hell don't answer emails at 9 PM to prove they're "committed."

Because they don't have to.

So here's your challenge:

This week, take an honest look at your company:

Be honest.

If you're seeing red flags, maybe it's time to ask a different question: Why are you fighting so hard to prove yourself in a company that isn't actually built for remote work?

Your career. Your mental health. Your freedom.

They're worth more than a "remote-friendly" label on a job posting.

If you're ready to land a role at a truly remote-first company - where your expertise is valued over your availability, where async is the default, and where you can actually build a sustainable career without the burnout - book a free strategy call.

If you’re a match, we'll map out exactly what's keeping you stuck, which remote-first opportunities match your experience level, and the specific moves you need to make to land a role with real flexibility - not just a different location for the same grind.

BONUS: On March 6th, we're hosting a private "Meet the Recruiters" Roundtable! We're offering this live event as an exclusive, time-sensitive bonus for everyone who joins the Academy between now and March 2nd.

You get to hear top recruiters from remote-first companies break down what they look for, what makes a candidate stand out, and what mistakes to avoid. You’ll also get to ask them your burning questions to see if they’re a good match for what you’re looking for, because we know you don't want just ANY job, right?! We look forward to seeing you there!

Stay Rebellious,

Michelle & the RR Team