Freelancing is one of the fastest-growing ways of earning a living in the United States. A 2018 survey conducted by Upwork and Freelancers Union suggests that there are about 56.7 million Americans making a living as freelancers.
There are a lot of things to love about freelancing, among them being the ability to work and travel simultaneously. Working remotely while traveling has gained popularity in recent years. Of course, many people want to enjoy the freedom that comes with the ability to work from anywhere in the world. Freelancers who only need a laptop and stable Internet access have the best life because it is possible to get work done from any part of the globe.
How to Remain Productive While Working Remotely Abroad
Remote jobs can give one the option of exploring the world while at the same time gaining some good income. However, it is challenging to balance between travelling, working and life. It is therefore essential for remote workers to apply the right techniques to balance between work and tourism. Here are some tips on how to work remotely as you enjoy travelling around the world.
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Avoid distractions
Find a work space that is free of distractions to do the majority of your work. Having this will put you in the right frame of mind to work productively. Some people might find it refreshing to work in the lobby, in the hotel room or out in the café, the key is whatever works for you at the time.
As long as you can be productive, any place can be your workspace. Keep in mind though that you have to minimize distractions and be very focused while doing the bulk of your work. That way you can actually get things done. To make sure you do the quality without distractions, try to beat it with the help of technology. For example, you can add an extension onto your browser to help you stay in the right lane throughout.
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Set hours of work
When working remotely, you should establish a particular time when you can focus better. Maximize on those hours when you can do more work. If you are a morning person, then wake up early and carry out most of your daily tasks. After that then you can go out and explore your surroundings.
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Have the right tools
One thing that could ruin your travel escapades is lack of proper working tools. A freelancer who wants to travel while working should invest in the right tools. Brace yourself with a good laptop and a backup battery in the case of eventualities like a power outage. Also, have the right internet or rent out coworking spaces that have reliable Internet access. If possible have a power bank on standby.
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Have a variety of payment modes
Imagine you are somewhere on an island where you cannot access a bank. Then, your employer or one of your clients cannot send money to you. At the same time, your funds are getting exhausted. What do you do? Yes, you get stranded in the middle of nowhere. To avoid such problems, you should have many payment options. Some of the most common include PayPal, Money Gram, Google Pay, EFT, and Skrill. With many choices, one of them is bound to work despite your location.
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Organize your work
The main key to a successful freelancing career is having some order. Decide what should be done when and stick to the plan. When you have your tasks planned out, it is easy to sort them out without forgetting some. Plan your everyday activities to ensure that you can enjoy travelling and have a stable income from your career.
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Use the Pomodoro technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo. The technique is about breaking down work time into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by a 5-minute break. This technique can be used to help you stay focused on each task when you have a large and varied to-do list. Using the Pomodoro technique can help you crank through a list of tasks by forcing you to adhere to strict timing. In a long run, you may be able to learn how to master your time management without the help of a timer.
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Stay healthy and be legal
This is, by far, one of the most underrated tips for staying productive. How will you be able to finish your projects effectively if you aren’t in your best condition? When you get sick is sometimes a game of chance, but travelling and exposing yourself to new environments can make those odds worse. That’s why it’s crucial that you take extra care for self. Get your vaccines done and always carry a first aid kit and a hand sanitizer. Try to eat healthily and do some exercises in your hotel room to stay fit. Also, make sure you are abiding by all local laws, particularly around immigration. For example, you may need to get a visa in order to have an extended stay in certain countries. Some countries require both a visa as well as certain vaccinations. A Saudi visa, for example, may be required for visitors from the UK.
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Know that safety comes first
Keeping yourself and your valuable belonging safe is the most important thing to care about while travelling. If you are hurt or your items get stolen, you won’t be able to work and might lose the jobs.
For your security, always do thorough research about your next destination before planning for a trip. When travelling, don’t store all your important belonging in one place. Keep all your personal and important belongings (such as mobile phone, passport, some money) in your second money belt in case of emergency.
According to an article from The Guardian, a laptop is stolen every 53 seconds. The risk may even be increased when travelling. So, always use clouds to store your work and protect all your passwords, in case your laptop gets stolen.
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Fight the urge of bailing out of work
It can be tempting to get drawn into exploring a new destination at the expense of your work. But, how will you sustain your travel expenses if you don’t work? As such, it is vital that you learn how to minimize distractions that will surely come your way.
Try to find ways to fight the urge to visit every tourist attraction in town when you should be working. When it is time to work, get down to it and earn some money. For example, to enjoy your destination as you work, you could get a room facing a national park, a beach, wildlife, and other beautiful scenery. Then you can work as you enjoy the views.
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Where you are working from
The last tip is choosing the right place to work from to ensure you have a perfect blend of work and fun travel. Whichever destination you choose should give you an ideal environment to concentrate on your work and also quench your desire for adventure. Of course, the cost of living in the chosen place should be affordable, and the weather should suit outdoor activities. Here are some of the best warm places to live with the low cost of living.
Featured image courtesy of Pixabay.
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