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Let’s talk about our ever-changing office locations and time zones!

Adapting to different time zones isn't just about managing jet lag—it's about allowing our workday to fit local hours while staying connected when your job requires something different.

We call it the Time Zone Tango!

How do you keep up with work in a different time zone from your office hours?

Managing West Coast Hours from the East Coast

The company I work with is in California. Since we moved to New York, I’ve been able to lead a more balanced life. Jack and I spent a few weeks in Vermont during the changing of the leaves and have gone to Black Mountain, North Carolina, for hiking in the summer, returning to our home base in New York in between adventures.

Prioritizing Self-Care:

I like to use the mornings to take care of chiropractor appointments or go to pilates classes before getting ready for work. Even while prioritizing self-care in the morning, I get at least 2 hours of quiet time to focus on work before the West Coast jumps online around 9 am PT, which is around lunch for me. The only downside is I need to prepare lunch before noon, otherwise, I’m in back-to-back meetings until 3 pm and often don’t get to eat until California breaks for lunch.

I like being on the East Coast because I can prioritize self-care before work. I’ve found that if I don’t work out or take care of my back in the morning, it often falls by the wayside once meetings start.

What are the pros and cons of starting your workday in alignment before sunrise, like in Hawaii?

Early Risers and Work Culture:

One of the unique challenges is the significant time difference from the mainland. Starting our day before sunrise to align with East Coast hours is not as ideal as I can do when we’re on the West Coast. I don’t open my calendar until 1 pm ET, so I’ll begin working around 7 am HT. The upside is experiencing the tranquil Hawaiian mornings and enjoying the vibrant sunsets after an early finish.

Work-Life Balance:

Adjusting to such a schedule significantly improves our work-life balance. We adapt our sleep patterns to ensure we’re well-rested and can fully embrace the local lifestyle. The serene morning hours become highly productive, while the evenings are a time for community activities and relaxation. Hawaii has some of the nicest people we have ever met and it’s one of the few places where we join in on potlucks, open mic nights, etc.

Reader, if you found these tips helpful, we’d love it if you could share them with friends and family who dream of traveling part-time.

How can time zone shifts shape your productivity and downtime, and how do you find the right balance?

Ahead of the Curve in the UK:

When working from the UK, we’re ahead of the US by several hours. This allows us to start our day proactively, handling tasks before our colleagues begin their day. It feels incredibly efficient and positions us to respond to any issues swiftly.

Challenges at Night:

The downside is that crucial meetings or decisions often fall late in the evening. Managing late-night work can be taxing, but it’s manageable with a well-planned schedule that includes breaks and time for rest during the day.

Working across different time zones requires flexibility and a keen understanding of how to balance work with local life. Whether it's the quiet afternoons on the West Coast, the early mornings in Hawaii, or the proactive pace in the UK, each location offers unique benefits and challenges. Embracing these differences can lead to a richer, more fulfilling work-life balance.

We’d love to hear about your experiences and tips on managing time zones effectively. Share your stories with us for a chance to be featured in our next newsletter!