Refining My Rhythm - Work From Anywhere - week 2

Week One in Puerto Rico is in the books for my #workfromanywhere adventure. Lessons on balance, timing, priorities, self-awareness, personal change management, and friendship seem to dominate the conversation as?my rhythm gets stronger and clearer. My career is built first on #trust , then industry expertise. Staying TrustWorthy is key - even while in Puerto Rico! As an aside, it seems to help that our time zones are similar to the US – or maybe it doesn’t. ??

A few things to note – It seems to be all about internet connection and a quiet place to work. Internet is my issue. Initially my tech did not work.?Teams did not allow me in and that is my primary video tool.?It took a few days to figure it out. Internet remains spotty. I am taking some calls on my phone and shutting off my video. So far, everyone is working with me. However it is a challenge. Self Care is also important to me and my ability to show up as my best. It took about 5-8 days to get back into my self-care routine. For me, that routine helps me through my workday and life! Lastly, disruption is real. New place, new adventures, friends pulling on you to go-do-see, and really wanting to join them is real.?Living life gives you ups and downs, twists and turns. When in a new location for a month or more being intentional and thoughtful while navigating what life throws at us is far more challenging. Why? Because the box I am living in has changed for the month. Keeping my balance, getting my work done, and enjoying Puerto Rico takes a bit of a different path and rhythm. The learnings keep coming, and happy to report in – it is working! Patience, flexibility and being nimble is everything.

#workfromanywhere , is getting easier. The thrill of being somewhere new begins to wear off as the rhythm gets embedded into your daily routine. By week two – we are tired of eating out (helps that we love to cook and it adds way too much cost), we have seen a lot, a beautiful beach is right in front of us, and the weather isn’t going anywhere.?So, working during much of the day?is perfect. I am quite satisfied taking early morning walks – or working out – and going to the beach towards the end of the day for an hour or two.??We will take a few days to explore the island in a few weeks – but it is glorious that we have that option. We do not have live TV. Yes, we missed the Oscars and all the craziness going on in the world, real time. But you know what we learned? We don’t need TV!! Newsfeeds work just fine and we now have lots more time to create balance - balance between work and play. Today we talked about how we hope we will bring home a few new habits - and that is a good thing!

Working here is far more interesting and enjoyable - maybe missing the competition of the TV and the to do’s we have at home? ?Music and reading are now front and central to our life here. I love that!! In fact, Spotify is beginning to put music lists together for us that we love!!!??I hope that continues when we get home.

So, what is my self-care routine? I get up at 6:15-6:30, have coffee, watch the sunrise, do Wordle, Quordle, read the news feeds, exercise, and meditate. Then I start to work. As of a few nights ago, I began, again, to write in my gratitude journal, a practice I started doing nightly about 10 years ago. For those of you that follow me, you know that these self-care practices define me. They keep my head clear, keep me grounded and keep me clear thinking. Plus, I believe that the more you live in gratitude the more you appreciate the help coming your way from the universe. It comes to all of us – but how many of us take a moment and notice? I find it enriches my life in so many ways.

For example, we were at Seven Seas Beach near Fajardo and my friend and I decided to take a hike and find the “secret beaches.” ?Each time we got lost or had a question, someone miraculously appeared – at all other times we were alone in what seemed to be a ?jungle. I was grateful and relieved, and took note of it each time.?I know it happens to everyone but noticing it and giving thanks makes my life so rich. If you notice random synchronicities in life – let me know. Love to share with you!

We all know life is unpredictable and throws curve balls our way. My girlfriend’s brother passed away about a week ago. ?She is the friend staying here (in a different condo) as well. She stayed an additional week before going home for the funeral.?In that period, we were her only in-person connection. Yes, she was planning the funeral, talking to family, etc. ?Why am I bringing it up? As you work from anywhere – it becomes a pull on your time. We felt it was important ?to be with her, so she was not alone, do what she wanted to do and finally I had to learn the balance between getting my work done, supporting her and spending time doing what I wanted to do.?

For example, as I am writing this, she asked if I would go on her last beach walk with her. Honestly, I have client deliverables today, wanted to get this blog done before taking her to the airport – 45 minutes away.?I learned boundaries and saying no is OK – and still stay in support. What helps? We are here another 3 weeks – so our rhythm and opportunities continue far after she leaves us. And none of that takes away from feeling bad that her brother died – because it is a horrible thing.?So much self-awareness and learning on this adventure. Relationships are everything to me and I am always learning ?how to be a better friend while taking care of myself as well.

My goal is to do or see something new each day.?It could be walking in a new direction, trying a new food, or swimming in the pool vs. the ocean.?I have learned that I am a water creature.?I love swimming in the water daily -- and prefer the ocean but yesterday’s pool swim was lovely.

What have you learned about yourself lately? Curious as to the tools you use to stay TrustWorthy ! #Livingmybestlife . #workfromanywhere #relationshipsmatter