Why we're studying a book together – and why you should join us
"I don't have time to read books anymore😱”
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I hear this constantly. From jobseekers. From remote workers. From people who genuinely want to learn and grow, but can't seem to make it happen.
And I get it. When you're juggling applications, managing work, dealing with life – sitting down with a 200-page book feels like a luxury. Something that requires uninterrupted hours you simply don't have.
But here's an undeniable reality about remotely: the ability to learn independently from written material isn't just nice to have. It's a core remote work skill. And if you can't do it, you're limiting your career in ways you might not even recognise.
That's why we're doing something different in Connected. We're studying a book together – one chapter at a time, at a pace that actually works for busy people.
The uncomfortable truth about reading
Let's be honest about why "reading is hard" has become such a common refrain.
It's not that books have changed. It's that our attention has. We've trained ourselves to consume information in fragments – tweets, headlines, 60-second videos. When something requires sustained focus, our brains rebel. We check our phones. We remember emails we need to send. We suddenly feel hungry.
This isn't saying any of us have a character flaw! It's a predictable response to the environment we've created.
But here's the problem: remote work rewards people who can learn independently. When you don't have a manager walking past your desk or colleagues to ask quick questions, your ability to absorb information from documents, guides, and yes – books – becomes essential.
Employers know this. They're looking for candidates who can onboard themselves, who can read documentation without hand-holding, who can take initiative in their own development. If you struggle to finish a book, that signals something about how you'll handle remote work challenges.
I'm not saying this to shame anyone. I'm saying it because the good news is: this is a skill you can rebuild. And doing it in a community makes it dramatically easier.
Why studying alone fails
There's a reason most people abandon books halfway through.
When you read alone, there's no accountability. No deadline. No one asking what you thought of chapter three. The book sits on your nightstand, gradually buried under newer purchases, its bookmark frozen somewhere around page 47.
Self-directed learning requires a level of discipline that's genuinely difficult to sustain. You need to carve out time, maintain motivation, and somehow process what you're learning without anyone to discuss it with.
Studies consistently show that we retain more when we learn socially. When we have to articulate our understanding to others. When we hear different perspectives on the same material. When there's a structure that keeps us moving forward even on days when motivation is low.
This is why book clubs exist. Why study groups outperform solo learners. Why the best professional development often happens in cohorts rather than through isolated self-study.
The problem is that most of us don't have access to the right community. We're not going to form a book club with our neighbours about remote work skills. And generic online book clubs rarely focus on the specific professional development we actually need.
What we're doing differently
Inside Connected – Remote Work Europe's private membership community – we're launching something simple but powerful: a structured study of my book "Remote Readiness for Jobseekers."
Here's how it works:
One chapter at a time. No pressure to read the entire book in a weekend. We're working through the material methodically, giving each chapter the attention it deserves.
Discussion in our Facebook community.
This isn't a formal course with video modules and quizzes. It's a conversation. I'll post discussion prompts, share additional context, and respond to questions. Members share their thoughts, experiences, and how they're applying what they're learning.
Completely async.
This is crucial. There are no live sessions you have to attend. No time zones to coordinate. Read when you have time. Contribute when you're ready. Whether that's 6am before the kids wake up or 11pm after everything else is done.
Catch up whenever.
If you join halfway through, you haven't missed anything. All the discussions stay in the group. You can work through previous chapters at your own pace and jump into current conversations when you're ready.
No extra cost.
This is included in your Connected membership. You're already paying €15 per month for daily curated job opportunities, community support, and resources. The book study is simply another benefit – at no additional charge.
Why this book, and why now
"Remote Readiness for Jobseekers" is built around the 5Cs framework I've developed over 25 years of remote work: Culture, Communication, Console, Collaboration, and Connection.
The 5Cs of Remote Readiness
It's not a list of job boards. It's not generic interview tips repackaged for remote. It's a comprehensive guide to becoming genuinely remote-ready – understanding what employers are actually looking for and how to demonstrate that you've got it.
At nearly 200 pages, it's substantial. The kind of book that's easy to buy with good intentions and hard to actually finish.
But studied chapter by chapter, with discussion and accountability? It becomes manageable. Even enjoyable.
Here's what we'll cover:
How employers assess remote readiness – often without telling you
Writing applications that work for both humans and automated tracking systems
Video interview preparation that builds genuine confidence
Using AI in your job search without losing your authentic voice
Your first 90 days: transitioning from jobseeker to valued contributor
Maintaining readiness for long-term remote career growth
Each section includes practical exercises. In the group study, you'll have the opportunity to work through these with feedback from others who are doing the same thing.
The async learning skill you're building
Here's something I don't think gets talked about enough: participating in this kind of structured async learning is itself a remote work skill.
Think about what you're practicing:
Managing your own learning schedule. No one is telling you when to read. You're deciding how to fit it into your life and actually following through.
Processing written information and forming responses. This is exactly what remote work requires – reading documents, understanding them, and contributing meaningfully in written form.
Engaging in async discussion. The back-and-forth of comments and replies mirrors how distributed teams communicate. You're building the muscle for thoughtful, asynchronous collaboration.
Staying connected to a community without real-time interaction. This is the essence of remote team membership. Feeling part of something even when you're not in the same room – or the same time zone.
By the time you finish studying this book, you won't just know more about remote work. You'll have demonstrated to yourself that you can learn this way. And that confidence will show in how you present yourself to employers.
Why the price will never be this low again
I need to be transparent about something.
Right now, Connected membership is €15 per month. That includes Diana's daily curated job opportunities, community access, resources, and now this structured book study.
We're developing more learning tools and resources based on what we learn from this experience. What works well. What questions come up. What additional support people need.
Some of those future resources will become paid products. Courses. Workshops. More structured programmes with direct coaching.
But Connected members who are with us now? They're getting the foundational version at a price that won't be repeated. You're essentially getting early access to learning tools we're building in real time – included in a membership that costs less than a single month of most streaming services.
This isn't a sales tactic. It's just the reality of how we're building this. The value inside Connected keeps growing while the price stays the same. At some point, that equation will have to change.
What if I'm not actively job seeking?
You might be thinking: "But I have a job. I'm not looking right now."
That's actually a great time to do this.
The Remote Readiness framework isn't just for people in active job search mode. It's about building and maintaining the skills that make you valuable in any remote or hybrid role. Understanding how distributed teams work. Communicating more effectively in async environments. Building your professional network strategically.
When you study this without the pressure of needing a job immediately, you can take your time. Reflect more deeply. Actually implement what you're learning in your current role.
And if your situation changes – if you find yourself job hunting unexpectedly – you'll be starting from a position of genuine readiness rather than scrambling to catch up.
How to join us
If this sounds like what you need, here's what to do:
Join Connected. Membership is €15 per month and you can cancel anytime. You'll get immediate access to our private Facebook community, Diana's daily job curation, and all our resources including the book study.
Get the book. You can purchase it through your local Amazon store, to get your hands on a physical copy (paperback or hardback.) Connected members have been given access to the eBook via the community already – check the pinned resources, or shout up.
Jump into the discussion. Whether we're on chapter one or chapter ten, you can start wherever we are and catch up on previous discussions at your own pace. It's fully async – work through it however fits your life.
That's it. No complicated onboarding. No commitment beyond what you're willing to give. You can even just read through week by week completely silently if you don’t want to join in the conversation.
The real goal
Here's what I want for everyone who participates in this:
I want you to finish the book. Actually finish it. Not have it sitting on your Kindle with a bookmark at 23%.
I want you to have meaningful conversations about what you're learning. To hear perspectives you wouldn't have considered alone.
I want you to rebuild your confidence in learning from written material. To remember that you can sustain attention, absorb complex information, and grow professionally through reading.
And yes, I want you to become more remote-ready. To understand what employers are looking for and know – really know – that you can deliver it.
If we achieve that? The book study will have been worth everything.
Come learn with us!