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Filipino Institute

Free Lesson · Remote Work: Setting Up, Communicating and Managing Your Day

Free sample lesson · Remote Work · about 40 minutes
No login needed. A real lesson in the FI format: goal, learn, example, practice with answers.

Goal

By the end of this lesson I can check my remote-work setup, write a clear daily update, and work across time zones without missing deadlines.

1. Warm-up (5 minutes)

Run an internet speed test on your phone or computer. Write down the download and upload speed. Is there a backup option if the power or internet goes down?

2. Learn: the three pillars

  • Setup – stable internet (and a backup such as mobile data), a quiet space, headset, updated apps, a power plan for brownouts.
  • Communication – reply within agreed times, be specific, over-communicate progress, turn on camera when expected.
  • Self-management – a fixed start time, a task list, focus blocks, and a clear end of day.

Time zones: always write deadlines with the zone: “Friday 5 pm Manila (PHT, UTC+8)”. For a client in Dubai (UTC+4), Manila is 4 hours ahead.

3. Worked example: an end-of-day update

EOD – 3 Nov – Joy (VA)
Done: replied to 18 customer emails; updated the November content calendar.
⏳ In progress: product photo edits (8 of 20), finish by 11 am PHT tomorrow.
⚠️ Blocker: I need the login for the new Canva account.
Tomorrow: finish photos, schedule 5 posts.

Short, specific, with numbers, times and one clear request.

4. Try it yourself

  1. Name the three pillars of remote work.
  2. It is 9 am in Dubai. What time is it in Manila?
  3. Rewrite this update to be specific: “Worked on stuff, will continue.”
  4. Your internet goes down 10 minutes before a meeting. What do you do first?
  5. Why include the time zone in every deadline?
Show answers
  1. Setup, communication, self-management.
  2. 1 pm in Manila.
  3. Example: “Finished 12 of 20 invoices; remaining 8 done by 3 pm PHT tomorrow.”
  4. Switch to your backup (mobile data) and message the team right away that you may be late or join by phone.
  5. So nobody misreads the deadline when people work in different countries.

5. Real-life practice (10 minutes)

Write your own end-of-day update for today using Done / In progress / Blocker / Tomorrow.

6. Check your understanding

Write your remote-work backup plan in three lines: internet, power, and who you tell.


Like this lesson? Continue with the Remote Work Readiness short course or prepare for the Professional Certification in Professional Remote Work. Create a free My FI account · More free lessons · Questions: [email protected]

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