Imagine if you could combine work and pleasure, spending afternoons sunbathing or exploring a new city. You feel happy that business is taken care of and that you can relax and enjoy your surroundings without stress.
Well, imagine no more.
In this article, I’ll share tips from over 10 years of experience doing just that. My mission is to illustrate that this lifestyle is not just a pipe dream, but an achievable reality that can be tailored to you.
Whether that means taking an extra vacation each year, spending a few months traveling in Asia, or even moving to a different country, anything is possible.
For the past 16 years, I have owned and operated a small digital marketing agency. During that time, I’ve traveled a lot, rarely taken time off from work (don’t judge, I love it that way!), moved permanently to Spain, and run a pretty successful business around the world.
Learn how to manage your business from anywhere in the world. The secret is how you manage your workspace, time, boundaries, equipment and technology.
1. Plan your workspace
To make your travels and work easier, start by researching the availability of internet services and power reliability in the country you’re visiting. Knowing the circumstances in advance will help you plan better.
If you intend to work from your accommodation, designate a specific space as a dedicated desk. Avoid makeshift mounts on furniture or using the kitchen counter, as they can become problematic. Packing and unpacking your desk every time you need to use the dining table is also inconvenient.
Consider a co-working space, but check their hours of operation to make sure they align with your work schedule. Do thorough research before your trip to make informed decisions.
2. Manage your time
Optimize your productivity by taking advantage of different time zones. If you can work while your clients sleep, you’ll get more done. Consider adopting the “5am club” mentality.
Create a schedule that combines overlapping work hours with uninterrupted dedicated time for deep work or batch tasks. This allows for focused work without distractions while still having time for meetings, calls and team communication.
Maintain the discipline to step away from work and enjoy your surroundings. The goal is to work fewer hours overall, so maximizing your efficiency is crucial.
Use techniques like task batching and time blocking to stay focused and avoid task switching.
Pre-complete and schedule tasks such as social media posts, blogs and email newsletters if your trips are short-term.
Get the daily search newsletter marketers trust.
3. Set your boundaries
When traveling with the family or in a distracting environment, noise canceling headphones are essential. Playing music while you work can help block out distractions and signal that you shouldn’t be interrupted.
Clearly communicate to your fellow travelers that during work hours, you are focused and interruptions should be limited to emergencies. Similarly, when you are not working, devote your time fully to them. Strict adherence to these limits is vital.
Also set boundaries with your clients. As long as you can communicate and deliver work, most clients won’t care about your physical location.
Consider adding a note to your email signature before you travel, informing recipients that your work schedule may vary and you may not respond immediately.
Alternatively, specify specific times for email responses. Stick to the schedule consistently. This allows clients and colleagues to adapt to your communication patterns in advance, allowing you to resolve any issues before your trip.
4. Empower your team to take the reins
You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much your team can manage without your constant input. It can be challenging for business owners to let go completely, but you and your team will adjust to your absence for an extended period.
This allows you to focus on the essential tasks that require your attention while empowering your team to take on more responsibility without a constant search for approval.
Keeping communication channels open is crucial for remote work. Schedule regular team meetings (at least twice a week) to discuss work-related issues concisely and bond with your team.
Despite not having casual chats, showing a genuine interest in your team members fosters honest and open relationships.
Encourage the team to have discussions without your involvement for minor day-to-day issues. If you don’t have a team, consider hiring a freelancer to handle basic administrative tasks and handle client communications while you’re traveling.
Clearly define their responsibilities, create standard operating procedures (SOPs) in advance, and bring them at least two weeks before your departure.
Even if they only work a few hours a day, having someone there can greatly lighten your mental load. You may even find it hard to let them go once you return.
5. Choose the right technology
For most travel situations, pack essentials like your laptop, noise-canceling headphones (highly recommended!), adapters, cell phones, and chargers.
If you expect limited WiFi access, consider bringing a universal WiFi dongle. In case you can’t get online, don’t panic. Chances are things will work without you and you’ll soon be back on connectivity.
Make sure your files are stored in the cloud and not just on your laptop to avoid the potential stress of loss, damage or theft.
Keep a hard copy of important phone numbers, your passport, visas, ID and travel insurance. Use a waterproof folder and separate them from your laptop and phone whenever possible.
Plus, store copies of important documents on your phone, password-protected for security.
Don’t forget to pack spare chargers and adapters for your tech, as they can break unexpectedly during travel.
Make the most of your experience
The main goal is to enjoy the country you visit, as this is the reason for your trip. Immerse yourself in the culture, try the local cuisine and explore and interact with the locals. Working abroad for three months but seeing little beyond a hotel room would be unfortunate.
Consider starting work early and finishing at lunchtime to have the rest of the day at leisure. This provides uninterrupted time when customers and team members are not normally available. Feeling confident that everything can wait until the next day contributes to a more relaxed mindset.
Designate a team member to contact you only for important matters, such as a significant drop in a client’s website traffic. Knowing that they will only be contacted for urgent issues allows you to leave your temporary office.
To stay present in the moment, consider using a cheaper phone while you explore and leave your work phone at your accommodation. It may take some tweaking, but it helps avoid constantly updating email and allows you to fully participate in your activities. Choose the approach that best suits your personality.
If taking a long trip makes you nervous, start with shorter school holidays and gradually extend them until you feel comfortable being away for longer periods.
Finally, try not to worry about your customers’ perceptions. As someone who lives abroad, most interactions with my clients happen remotely. Customers have become accustomed to it and sometimes even envy the lifestyle.
The views expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.
[ad_2]
Source link
