11 tips for working on the move
I love the expression “nomad workers”, it conjures up images of Peter O’Toole or Omar Sharif in Lawrence of Arabia, but however prosaic the images we have of them, their numbers are increasing. From the traditional sales rep on the road to virtual workers, e-workers (where so these expressions come from?) and freelancers, we’re no longer just restricted to our offices. Work is flexible and we can take it wherever we like. We can work in the coffee shop next door or the other side of the country, on a train or even on holiday (yes, I’m guilty of that).
But working on the move is not always glamorous and can sometimes be full of pitfalls if you don’t prepare things properly. So plan ahead.
1. Whatever you think, you will work less when you’re on the move. There will be distractions and interruptions on trains (even in first class). Have you never looked aimlessly out of a window? And getting on, getting off and settling down takes time. It all eats into your work time.
2. Prepare your clients or the people you work with. I don’t know why, but whenever I plan a journey, or worse, a holiday, there’s always someone that doesn’t get the message and sends me something urgent. Often they just send an email presuming I’m available. Although this isn’t my fault, the blame falls on me not them because I have the audacity to work for someone else or just take some time out.
3. Make sure your laptop’s tip top. I work on two computers, even at home. It means I can work in front of the television, in the garden or wherever I like. I try to keep my laptop and desktop in sync but it’s not always easy. On the road, it’s essential to make sure you have all the files and programmes you need. Make sure you sync all your bookmarks as well. Unless you have a way of connecting to your home computer, that missing file could mean the different between success and failure. If you’re blogging, there’s a nifty little Wordpress iPhone app that will enable you to save local drafts until you’re in range of some Wi-Fi.
4. A Skype account is always a good thing to have. It will seriously cut down your costs if you want to stay in touch with home.
5. Plan for having no Internet connection. We’re all used these days to having offices with always-on fast broadband connections. This can’t be guaranteed everywhere, especially when travelling outside major cities. Not every Starbucks will provide for your needs so plan ahead. There are plenty of hotspot access maps available that will also tell you whether or not you have to pay for them.
6. Make sure you have enough power. Many train services and even aircraft have mains power supply points these days, but I always travel with two charged batteries, just in case. Oh, and don’t forget your phone charger (yes, I was that man!)
7. Travel light. Unless you’re a photographer carrying around a load of gear, a back pack may well be enough. It’s great having two free hands!
8. Check your insurance. Not all policies cover your laptop and even fewer cover your data. Which leads in to…
9. Have a back up solution. Your journey will give you plenty of opportunities to have a disaster from spilling your coffee over your keyboard to a disk crash or robbery. Every time you find a Wi-Fi connection, back every piece of essential data up to an online service. There are plenty available, so there’s no excuse. I’ve been using Dropbox recently, highly recommended.
10. Keep records. Whether you’ve been away for a day trip or half way round the world on a road trip, you’ll want to claim back your expenses. The tax man will not take you on trust, he’ll want proof you’ve spent the money. Remember, you’re running a business.
11. If you’re on medication, check you have enough or you can get a refill wherever you are going. Some medications are restricted in certain countries so it’s best to check with your embassy.
And done forget to enjoy yourself!
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