I’m writing this piece of article on a Thursday, from a beautiful holiday resort in Bali, Indonesia. And I’m definitely not worried about things back at work.
One of the biggest perks of being a digital nomad is the ability to pack your bags, hop on a plane and explore a whole new world. Since there’s no paid time-off or travel allowances for freelancers, traveling can be a financial challenge. However, with a little planning, you can strike the right balance between work and travel without worrying about missed deadlines or losing your income.
I have been a digital nomad for over a year, and I have never lost a dime because of my traveling. In fact, I have gained more in terms of new experiences, meeting new people, and visiting new places. None of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for my decision to transition into freelancing.
Since it worked for me, I would like you to implement these practices in your business to strike a balance between work and travel.
#1 Let your clients know you’ll be away
Nothing’s more annoying than getting a client’s call in the middle of the airport check-in. Ignoring the client’s call is considered rude and unprofessional. I would never do that. In fact, I’d inform my clients of my travel plans beforehand and let them know that I won’t be available for calls or emails until I reach the destination. And in most cases, they understand and appreciate the act.
If I had it all figured out, I wouldn’t mind leaving a P.S note assuring my clients that their deadlines won’t suffer. In my experience, minor slip-ups are inevitable if you are traveling. So, it’s a good idea to ask for a slight extension because you don’t want to be stressed over deadlines while strolling at the beach.
Can’t get an extension? Double up on work
Some people are not comfortable working during their vacation, and that’s totally fine. You have earned this vacation after months of hard work, and there’s nothing wrong in getting a digital detox. But that would mean losing your income when you need it the most.
In that case, it’s a good idea to double up on work ahead of time and make sure all your deliverables are in order before you hit the road. Travelling seems much more rewarding when you know you haven’t missed a deadline or lost income. “The best view comes after the hardest climb.” Couldn’t agree more!
Devote your mornings and evenings to work
If you still have to tie up some loose ends, the best time to do that is early morning and late evening so you can explore during the day.
If you are traveling far away from your homeland, make sure the time difference is accounted for. You don’t want to call up a client during odd hours.
When I’m traveling, I avoid phone calls and prefer emails unless it’s something really important.
Hire a taxi instead of a car rental
When you are traveling, you need time and money, but most importantly, you need sufficient energy reserves to be able to enjoy your time off. While a car rental puts you behind the wheel and lets you explore at your own pace, hiring a taxi is rather a more relaxed way of sightseeing. You will feel less tired at the end of the day, and you could even check with clients or respond to emails from the comfort of the back seat.
You plan your vacation weeks or even months in advance. And nothing breaks your heart more than a last-minute cancellation due to an illness. Most people don’t consider this, but ensuring your best health around your vacation is very important. With the help of NAD Therapy, you can beat the work fatigue, improve resistance against flu and fever and have each cell in your body functioning optimally to keep you in high spirits.
