As more and more workers discover that remote work options are giving them greater flexibility, one of those professionals recently made a daring leap. It’s a five-hour-a-week commute, from LA to San Francisco. At first, this decision felt like a daunting task. That has proven to be one of the smartest career decisions of the Head of Go-To-Market (GTM) at AI unicorn Daydream.
The author’s journey on a supercommute began because it was the only option to address a sense of disconnection. During the first few months of this setup, they found it difficult to not feel like a stranger in either location. The absence of an established community there in San Francisco made it difficult to develop rich relationships. They realized that they were a little cut-off. This decision to supercommute ended up creating incredible opportunities for the author. This change gave them the opportunity to establish more meaningful relationships and thrive in their specific position at Daydream.
Every Wednesday, the author embarks on this demanding journey, waking up at 4:30 a.m. to catch flights that will take them from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Your trip requires two plane rides. Factor in a few Ubers, and you’re looking at five hours of travel time from door-to-door. After spending the week in San Francisco, the author returns home every Friday night, ready to reconnect with family and friends.
Even with the logistical obstacles, the author has found a way to continue pursuing her professional goals without neglecting her home life. They operate remotely from Los Angeles on a hybrid schedule, and Mondays and Tuesdays find their virtual offices in LA. Then they’re over to San Francisco for Wednesday through Friday. This unusual structure simultaneously keeps the author wound closely around her roots in Los Angeles. Friendship bonds that started in early childhood have stood the test of time.
The financial cost of supercommuting is considerable. And for a staffer like me, that’s averaging $450 per week on flights and hotel stays. Despite these obstacles, the investment has already produced expansive dividends in career growth. Face-to-face interactions during visits to the San Francisco office have played a crucial role in shaping the author’s recent job roles, demonstrating the value of personal connections in the corporate world.
While adjusting to this lifestyle was not without its difficulties, including a struggle to be fully present due to constant travel, the author has found ways to thrive. They’ve developed deep relationships with their peers in San Francisco. These inspiring people are champions of all things search engine optimization (SEO). In turn, these interactions have greatly expanded and enhanced their professional life. They have created community and a sense of belonging in their very temporary home.
Beyond their work at Daydream, the author runs a personal finance coaching practice, Doing Well. They spend their nights and weekends teaching people how to build wealth. This enterprise is an expression of their joint commitment to further assist people facing financial difficulties and to juggle their own extremely busy new day-to-day. Juggling these various responsibilities takes some advanced planning and time management but has been a worthwhile endeavor.
In a sign of their commitment, Daydream pays for employees to relocate within commuting distance of the office. Many opted to supercommute rather than move. For the author, staying connected to Los Angeles was the most important thing. This choice has allowed them to develop professionally while nurturing long-standing friendships and personal connections that contribute positively to their overall well-being.