How To Really Work Remotely While Traveling The World

While many people daydream about working from home, several others daydream about working from the other side of the world. And while the second option may sound too good to be true, there are actually tons of people doing it every single day.

Two questions are constantly asked of us as their managers and of them as the digital nomads: How do you do it? Does it really work?

In today’s world, especially, but not only, among millennials, we are finding more and more people seeking happiness and fulfillment in experiences rather than material things. Flexible work schedules mean more to them than big bonuses and climbing the corporate ladder. We at MGA are adapting to that and learning how to make flexible work schedules work for our teammates and for us.

Our marketing champion, Jennifer Carroll, has shown us the way. She has been doing just that — living as a digital nomad for the past year. We hear from her in Oregon on the coast as she is managing our marketing, sending over excellent articles and handling client development programs. Then she appears in Colorado with her favorite companion, her dog, and her writing comes back with great insight and client value. Her travels refresh her perspective, and her organization enables her to get the work done on time and with impact.

Her experiences have given her insight into exactly what skills and resources are needed to be successful in this type of environment, and in this blog, she shares with us a few tips and tricks on how to work remotely while traveling the world.

How to Work Remotely While Traveling: 3 Tips for Success

1. Create structure.

While this one may sound simple, it’s more challenging than you think. Traveling requires a lot of work in itself. Prepping, researching, getting from point A to point B, and allowing yourself enough time to enjoy the places that you are visiting can be whimsical and exhausting. It’s easy to let your work schedule slide to the bottom of the list, so creating a structured environment for yourself has the potential to make or break your experience.

How many hours are you going to work each day? How many days are you going to work each week? Find a balance that works for you and set boundaries for yourself. Without a boss looking over your shoulder, you have to provide a structured and organized environment for yourself.

A good tip is to wake up and get the work done first, when you are fresh and the day is as well.

2. Have a Wi-Fi and technology plan.

Packing up and working from the road is easier than ever today with the help of Wi-Fi and other technology tools, but it is still something you need to think about and plan for.

For communication purposes, Skype, Zoom, and Google Hangouts all provide video chat resources that can be helpful as a remote worker. For internet connection solutions, you can plan to work from coffee shops along your route, or you may decide to invest in a mobile hotspot that allows you internet access anywhere that you have cell phone service.

In today’s world, the resources available to remote workers are endless. Do the research and find the technology solutions that work best for you.

3. Be flexible and upfront.

Among the structure that you have created for yourself, it’s also important to be flexible. Things sometimes don’t go as planned, and to be successful, you need to be able to adapt and go with the flow. Are you technically “off the clock” but receive an email on an urgent matter? Consider reorganizing your day to accommodate this need if you are able. It’s important to be flexible and readily available, so your teammates know that they can count on you.

On the other hand, it’s important to be upfront when you know you will be unavailable. You may be going off the grid for a few days or know that you are going to be in transit for a while. Let your team know in advance. This will allow them to align their expectations accordingly.

Want to Implement a Remote Work Solution for Your Company?

If your company is looking to implement a remote working strategy, MGA can help. We are happy to share more of our personal experiences to help you build a strategy that works for you and your business. With our hands-on experience, you can trust us for honest advice to ensure a successful outcome.

Or perhaps you are looking to join a dynamic firm who values work/life balance and flexible schedules. If that sounds like you, we encourage you to take a look at our open positions and apply for one today. Perhaps it is time we chat. Where do you want to go? Can we help you get there?

We truly believe that for our staff, and of course, for our clients, we take the complex and make it simple.

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