Last week I started the series Freedom to Work from Anywhere: Living the Mobile Life and two of my colleagues shared their tips. Today, we're going to share some more!
Do you dream of having a business where you can work from anywhere?
It really is possible. I've been doing it since 2003!
Many of my friends and colleagues run their businesses from many locations throughout the year too.
What have they put in place in their business that allows them to have the freedom to work from anywhere?
I've asked them to share some of their tips and strategies and I'll share their responses over the next few weeks in my series: Freedom to Work from Anywhere: Living the Mobile Life.
Today, we'll hear from Lisa Rothstein, Brenda MacIntyre, and Saida E. Desilets.
Global Travel Is Easy When You Have a Plan
- Skype in all Forms – My new fave is using Skype on my iPad with earbuds that come with an inline mic. It actually works better than on my laptop. I can even use it while walking down the street and showing the person on the other end the view! Skype is your friend when out of the country…especially Skype Out (You pay for it but it lets you call regular land line and mobile phones) and Skype In (You get a “local” phone number that people can call while you're abroad…you can forward it to the phone while there or let it go to voice mail. You can choose any area code you want.)
- If Global No Mobile – Do NOT use your mobile phone overseas if you can avoid it…you will pay through the nose!! If you will be there a while, or visit a country often, get a cheap local mobile phone and number for when you are there. That way you are reachable to friends in the neighborhood.
- Travel in Comfort – I'm like George Clooney in “Up in the Air” when I fly. I wear backless shoes (clogs or similar) with thin socks for easy removal at security and it also helps on disembarkation when your feet swell in flight. A pashmina of your own is essential instead of the airline blanket.
- Staying Connected – Bring your own headphones/ear-buds. Check before you fly on retailmenot.com or other coupon sites for discount codes on gogoinflight wifi service. Keep your phone off but in reach so you can use it immediately on landing.
- Added grin – If you ask for Bloody Mary Mix as your beverage they will often give you the whole can. 🙂
- The Time is What They Say it Is – When you get where you're going, THATs what time it is, period. Do NOT go to bed when you get there. Do as a the Romans do and NEVER say “It's really 4AM for me” unless you want to spend your whole trip exhausted and unpopular with your friends.
- Foolproof Way to Get Electric at the Airport – Best way to make friends in the airport – pack a surge strip in your laptop bag. Now you can use the lone plug at your gate and share it with 5 other people. Voila, you're a hero. The power strip is AWESOME because it guarantees YOU always have an outlet while making you look like a genius and oh-so-helpful!
Thanks to Lisa Rothstein – Screenwriter, Mad Ave copywriter & coach for multi-talented entrepreneurs. Co-Author of The DaVinci Dilemma™
I Don't Work with Clients, But Video and Speaking are Awesome
I actually will not do client sessions when I'm traveling. I get an unlimited text roaming plan if I'm across the border and I'm available by Facetime or Skype for my top level private clients if they need a quick burst session. I use my laptop and/or iPhone for checking email. And I pray for good wifi. If I'm traveling in Canada (I'm from Canada), it's so much easier and doesn't cost me a fortune.
But honestly, I kind of savor the fact that I'm not available for calls when I'm away. That's what keeps me more connected to my self. And… I load up my iPhone with coaching call recordings, my own self-guided meditations and any training audios I'm currently working on, so I can catch up while I'm on the plane and before sleep. Great question!!
I also LOVE shooting video while I'm traveling, so I have a tripod and my iPole (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMScWaZdwfs I got it at VidCon in LA this summer – not this one but a bigger more sturdy version) and a cool little high quality HD camera (Kodak Playsport).
Thanks to Brenda MacIntyre – The Success Shaman. Business Birthing, Marketing Magic & More Money for spiritual women entrepreneurs
6 Tips that Keep My Business Growing and Expanding
I have been perpetually traveling for 1.5 years now, so I don't have the luxury of a ‘home' to go back to, yet my business keeps growing and expanding! Here are tips that I follow:
- Enjoy wherever I am (and if I'm not, leave).
- Have all the adapters I need for the different countries I may visit.
- Schedule and prep content – I prep a bulk amount of my weekly tips and monthly videos and schedule them to go out, so I don't have to worry or think of doing this when I'm in transit.
- Be open to who I am meeting because I've met some incredible people who have played key roles in my personal and business life.
- Have a daily exercise routine as well as being fairly diligent on getting great food and sleep.
- Stay connected with family regularly, no matter how difficult the time (and internet connection) can be.
Thanks to Saida E. Desilets – Dedicated to supporting the natural emergence of sensuality within all women.
How Do You Dream of Freedom in Your Business
As you read through these tips, you'll see that each of my contributors has their own definition of freedom in their business. For example, some work with clients all over the world, while others choose to keep that for their home base, but they may be traveling to speak at a conference.
Many entrepreneurs think that there is just one way to do things. That is just not the case and one of the reasons I thought sharing what successful people do would help you to figure out your own plan.
What Tips, Tricks, Strategy, Operations Setup Do You Recommend?
Do you enjoy a freedom-based lifestyle business? What does being free in your business mean to you? Do you enjoy working from more than one location? Or, do you want to get your business to a state where you can? I'd love to her your thoughts in the comments.
Note: Mention of these products/companies does not mean that I personally endorse them. Each of my experts has shared what works for them and in some instances, I have not tried them personally. Also, some links are affiliate links (because I have tried them and love them.)
Until we talk again,
Live Fully — Love Openly — Laugh Often — Leverage Your Brilliance — Connect Authentically — Get Your Message Out — Serve with Impact — Prosper Everyday
Amy Scott says
Lots of great tips here! I also work from anywhere, and have since 2005. Following up on the cell phone tip, I have an unlocked smartphone, so I can just buy a local SIM card if I’m going to be staying somewhere for a while.
I’d be happy to offer more tips in a future post if you’re looking for more contributors!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Hi Amy – Sorry for the slow reply. Your comment landed in spam for some reason. Great tip. I’ll be doing this series for a while, so feel free to click the contact link above and submit your tips too. Thanks for the offer.
Jeanne Andrus says
I love the suggestion to take a power strip!!! Never thought of that one and I have traveled a LOT on business. Yes, instant friends, though many US airports are getting better about access.
Thanks for some good tips!
Lisa Rothstein says
Hi Jeanne — I actually learned that one on another blog (Lifehacker?) a year or so ago and it was one I instantly recognized as such a keeper, I instantly grabbed one of the power strips in our utility cabinet and packed it in my laptop bag. I used a Sharpie to put my name and phone number on it, plus the invite “Please plug yourself in!” 🙂
Now, no more resentment or fights at Starbucks or anywhere!
Believe it or not, I actually almost signed up a client in the airport because of this. (Would have been a better story had I closed the sale but nevertheless …)
Stephanie LH Calahan says
LOVE those additional details Lisa! Woo hoo adding more value in the comments.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Hi Jeanne – Glad you liked the tips my panel shared. I loved the power strip idea too. I’d never thought of it either. Is there anything that you would add from your mobile experiences?
Amy Scott says
Great tips! I never thought of the power strip idea; that’s a great one, except I like to travel light. 🙂
Adding on to the cell phone comment, having an unlocked smartphone is handy, so you can buy a local SIM card if you’re staying somewhere for a while.
Sara @ Content in the Meantime says
Very good tips!I enjoy traveling, and I know there is alot of pre planning to any trip. Good to keep some of these ideas in mind when i get to travel in the future.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Hi Sara – Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts. I’ve added a few to my standard packing list too.
Lisa Rothstein says
Saida, I envy your routine to prep and schedule content. I need to do this…can you share how often do you do this and much time do you allot?
Brenda — I already bought that iPole and mount for my iPhone after reading your post!! Can’t wait to try it. After checkout on Amazon, I posted about my purchase to FB with a link back to this blog so other people could get all these great tips!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Woo hoo! Awesome Lisa! I thought that pole sounded pretty awesome too. Here is another trick to make it even better for you.
Your iphone headset can stop and start the recording! Try it out. The plus sign (volume) on my headset will start and stop it so you don’t have to reach way out.