Mastering the Art of Flexible Work: Tips and Tricks for Success

The best perks of flexible working, and working for myself as a solopreneur, is the benefit of being able to work from anywhere in the world. Today, a lot of people are enjoying the advantages of digital nomad visas, which are offered by many Governments to encourage this modern work/lifestyle.

Social media often portrays the fun and glamorous side of travelling while working, but reality can be quite different when we experience it ourselves. The administrative work and the challenge of managing different time zones can bring frustration. I worked all over the world when I was in my corporate jobs and I recently went on my first business trip for my own company, CoNEXTion. I have experienced some challenging experiences (especially with IT systems that were not designed for the modern world).?

The good news? With a few smart strategies, you can overcome hurdles and improve your experience immeasurably. Keep reading as I share my personal tips and tricks to help you master the art of working on the go. First, however, let's look at why remote and flexible working is here to stay!

The Benefits

When it suited during the pandemic, companies adapted by asking their employees to work from home. Being locked down increased the desire to travel for many of us and many companies continued to offer remote and flexible working options, and for many it became the norm. Flexibility has often become the primary factor when choosing jobs by top talent and was one of the primary reasons that I chose to retire from the corporate world and work for myself.?

For companies willing to embrace flexibility, there are organisational benefits:??

• One study states that 1 in 4 workers are willing to sacrifice 15% of their annual salary for flexible working hours.?
• When people are given the freedom to work on their own time it drastically helps in organisational growth. Research shows that companies that give flexibility to their employees outperformed their peers by 16%.?

As much as remote working helps organisations, it also saves employees significant time and money on commuting too. Additionally, it brings freedom: the ability to travel anywhere while working. This allows individuals to move from country to country, immerse themselves in different cultures and traditions, maintain a stable income, network on the go, and enjoy the flexibility to work at any time.

Governments are recognizing and supporting this trend, making efforts to regulate work while travelling. Many countries now offer visas to attract digital nomads, making it easier for people to travel and set up temporary offices in different regions.

The Challenges

Work while travelling is not all a bed of roses. When working remotely, you may feel isolated because you have no one to talk to. You might face difficulty in communication and collaboration. The truth is online meetings can never replace informal conversations, water cooler conversations, or immediate feedback. However, you must stay connected and use the tools available.

The ultimate requirement of remote working is a reliable internet connection and technology. If the internet is weak or out of range, you may have to postpone your work. But the internet is not the only concern; if your laptop is broken, it can heavily impact your productivity. Work while travelling sounds ideal, but it doesn't mean you can spend the day being a tourist as you are required to manage the same workload as you would in the office.??

Time is another challenge. If you are working across different time zones, you must keep this in mind. Missing a deadline can be costly when you work while travelling and may cause companies to reconsider their accommodation of this arrangement. Additionally, the chaos of new places can be overwhelming. Personal tasks like visa applications, grocery shopping, and finding accommodation can become very time-consuming.

My top 10 tips for Remote Working

1. Mornings are for emails and calendars:

In the morning take out 10-15 minutes to check the emails and reply to the important ones. After checking emails, plan your calendar. Prioritise your workload. I like to use this method .?

2. Schedule focused work

Schedule dedicated time blocks for focused work. Don’t forget to keep in mind any travelling time if you are moving from place to place. I like to use the Pomodoro Technique for this.?

3. Schedule breaks with work?

Incorporate breaks into your daily work to increase productivity and boost creativity. Also, if you have meetings in a new or unfamiliar city, combine sightseeing in your meeting schedule and walk from one meeting to the next when it is safe to do so, and truly experience the sights and sounds of your new location.

4. The Internet is a must?

One of the most basic requirements of remote working is data. Ensure wherever you work from that you have a stable internet connection. If I travel to another country I always subscribe to a short-term local data plan or sign-up for an e-sim. This way I always have internet access. Also consider leveraging cloud technology so that when your laptop needs repairs, you can still access vital resources through tablets or mobile phones.

5. When are you most energetic? Do maximum work at that time?

Find the time of day that is best suited for you to do maximum work. For some, it can be mornings or it can be evenings. According to your energy, choose the time. This also helps in setting up your daily routine.?

6. Keep track of your calendar?

Schedule all the meetings on your primary calendar and turn on reminders. This way you will never miss a meeting and it also helps in keeping track of your calendar, especially when you are working over different time zones.

7. Plan time for life and admin tasks??

Your calendar should also have time for personal tasks like grocery shopping and laundry as this may take longer if you are in a new area. And don’t forget to plan for the people you are with….

8. Make sure the people you are travelling with can be independent without you

Manage expectations. Let those you are with know your commitments and schedules so they are not disappointed or waiting for you to do things with them. However, do ensure you schedule fun activities too.?

If you are travelling with kids, ensure you schedule some activities for them. Make time to visit an amusement park or have a good time in the pool so that they do get quality time with you.?

9. Have a dedicated work bag?

Remember your charger, wires, earphones, international adapter, and most importantly a notepad and pen. Keep your work essentials packed together. Use a tote bag or packing cube. This is best practice regardless. Staying organised means you don’t forget a cable before getting on a flight or heading to a client meeting or event.?

10. Schedule your emails

If you are working at different time zones, scheduling important emails can ensure that the message arrives at an appropriate time for the time zone you are emailing.

Conclusion?

There are different ways people deal with working while travelling. Some find remote working easy and manageable, others do not. But if you are looking for the freedom of working from anywhere and up for a challenge then the above tips and tricks will surely help you.?

So go book your tickets and look forward to enjoying a mountain breeze or sunny beach. I would love to know some of your tips and tricks that work while travelling in the comments below. Also don’t forget to react and share if you like this blog!?