Perspectives on the Future of Work: April 25

Upwork’s weekly column brings you the latest news on hiring and working with freelancers, freelancing, and the future of work.

Engadget | Virtual Desktop for VR is a Glimpse at a Future Without Monitors

The growing potential for virtual reality (VR) to provide wild new entertainment experiences is all the buzz right now in the gaming and tech world. With the first retail VR devices—like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive—fresh on the market, gaming companies aren’t the only ones interested in finding ways to put these high tech devices to good use.

After going hands-on—or rather, eyes-on—with a new VR app that can bring a Windows desktop into the virtual space, Engadget tech writer Devindra Hardawar reports the creative world may be on the verge of a display revolution that could change the way people work in their home office.

“Imagine having your entire Windows desktop projected on a movie theater screen while sitting in the best seat in the house, and you’ll have some idea of what Virtual Desktop offers,” says Hardawar. “Instead of a darkened theater, though, the display floats atop your choice of backgrounds…it brings to mind fantastical interfaces from science fiction.”

The ability to customize the look, setup, and layout of the virtual workspace makes it an enticing option, though Hardawar notes the current implementation holds more promise than immediate practical function for the time being.

“I could see creative types preferring it to a restrictive monitor setup, especially for things like video and audio editing, where you normally have dozens of tracks to juggle at once,” he says. “The app feels like a sign of things to come.”

Entrepreneur | 7 Tips to Build a Business While Working a Day Job

Transitioning into a freelance business takes time and patience to do successfully. For anyone looking to start their journey down the path to self-employment, Entrepreneur contributor Grace Bluerock offers several motivational tips to help keep you on track and optimistic while you prepare for the big leap.

Have a vision and be committed. It’s important to write down where you see your business in the future, envision what that looks like, and take active steps toward accomplishing your dreams of entrepreneurship.

Determine your “why.” This is a critical first step, says Bluerock. “Whatever your reason, knowing what motivates and drives you is what will keep you focused and committed to your dream when times get difficult.”

Connect with likeminded peers. Joining a mastermind group to network with and learn from other entrepreneurs can be a powerful source of inspiration.

Make daily progress towards your goals. If you set aside time each day to make small, measurable progress toward building your business, you’ll amass small wins that inspire you to keep the forward momentum.

Inc. | How Five Young Founders Handle the Daily Stress of Entrepreneurship

For all of its high points, entrepreneurship has many challenges and stresses, too. Overcoming these difficult moments can helps business owners grow stronger. In this installment of an ongoing series on entrepreneurship and work-life balance, writer and entrepreneur Kelly Hoey explores how different people deal with the obstacles that can arise.

Each of Hoey’s interviewees shared personal insights into how they cope with the stresses of entrepreneurship; here’s a snippet of what several had to say regarding the secret to their success.

• Good decision making skills. “The ability to handle a consistently high intake of information, identify connections, and rapidly reflect these in your decisions,” says Felicia Schneiderhan, cofounder of 30SecondsToFly.
• Strong mental self-control. “Figuring out how to manage your own psychology,” says Mary Lemmer, cofounder, Iorio’s Gelato and Foodscape.
• Flexibility and honesty. “Being honest with yourself and others. Be prepared for change,” says Amrita Aviyente, founder and CEO of Date My Wardrobe.
• Being willing to take a breather when necessary. “Take time for yourself,” says Kiki Schirr, founder of Valley Girl Magazine.

What work trends have caught your attention recently? Tell us about it in the comments below!

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