As someone who has been self-employed for almost 30 years (!), I know a thing or two about how to run a business from anywhere.
Working for myself has given me the freedom to travel, the flexibility to be a hands-on mother when my son was younger, and the pleasure of having a career that I love. But being self-employed can have its challenges if you’re not prepared.
So here are five tips to help you make working from anywhere work for you.
Choose your work space
Whether you are working from a home office, a co-working space, a café, or the back of a van, decide where you want to get your work done.
The biggest pitfall of working for yourself is allowing your business to take over, so if you hope to achieve any sort of work-life balance it’s best to create a space that separates the personal from the professional.
(Working from your primary residence? Ask your accountant about whether you can claim home-office deductions on your tax return.)
Create a work schedule
Having the flexibility to work any time of the day or night is great. Never taking time off to have fun with your family and friends, not so much.
You need – and deserve – time off. Decide how much you want to work and when you want to do it, and then stick to your schedule.
Remember – if you answer client emails at 11 pm, that’s what they will come to expect. Unless it’s a real emergency your reply can wait until the morning. If your clients don’t understand personal boundaries, it may be time to work with someone else.
Just do the work
With the ability to work from the beach, the youth hostel, or your current living room, it can be tempting to take a break to swim, to socialize, or to do the dishes.
And with no boss looking over your shoulder, it’s easy to lose a morning to social media.
If you don’t have the self-discipline to focus on your work without the threat of being fired, then working for yourself may not be the best choice for you. Taking a quick break to clear your head or joining friends for lunch is fine – but losing your day to distractions is no way to grow a business.
Dress for success
Working from anywhere means you can roll out of bed and work in your pajamas. Right?
Wrong.
You may not need to wear a button-down suit, but you should still dress in a manner that makes you look and feel like a professional.
Find your tribe
Working from anywhere means you don’t have to face the creep in the next cubicle or deal with a narcissistic boss. But it also means you miss out on the camaraderie of a traditional work environment.
If you’re a social person, being self-employed may not be for you. The truth is, it can a lonely existence, and you may find yourself having long conversations with the wall.
It’s important to make an effort to meet your peers – whether that’s online or in-person. You need professional colleagues who can offer advice and support.
You also need new customers, who won’t find you if they don’t know you exist. No matter where you are, make time to attend networking events or other social gatherings so you can grow your tribe.
Even though we live in a world where technology makes it easy to work from anywhere, nothing beats meeting people face-to-face. Maintaining social interactions is good for your mental health, will keep you motivated, and will help forge the connections you need to enjoy long-term business success.
Happy traveling!