From Bali to Hawaii….from Germany to Vegas….I’m one lucky duck that I get to travel around the world for work and pleasure.
It makes me do a little happy dance when I get to clock as many miles as I do on planes, trains and automobiles.
Not to mention, I get to work from white sand beaches, jungles and five-star hotels…
Woop woop!
Because I’m away a good three months out of the year, I’ve had to get really good at:
- Packing
- Working on the go
- Finding wifi that actually works
- Functioning on ZERO sleep
- Hunting for vegan restaurants
- Surviving with only one lip gloss instead of my usual six
But seriously, as much as I LURVE traveling, it takes a lot outta me and involves a ton of planning ahead.
If you’re also thinking of living the digital nomad lifestyle, I’ve got a few tips for ya that will save your sanity, especially when you get jet lagged AF and can’t even remember your name.
Rule numero uno about working while traveling is:
1. Don’t over-plan or over-commit
I’m a planner and I keep my shiz tight. Try finding one hole in my daily planner.
I dare you.
But one lesson I’ve learnt traveling around the globe is to leave some space for spontaneous adventures and more importantly…downtime.
Especially if you’re traveling to a conference or major work event.
It’s so easy to try and pack 30 hours of stuff into one day but that’s your fastest way to burnout.
And it leaves no room for the unexpected.
Plus, the pressure of over-committing to too many workshops, guided tours or meetings can add to the stress when you really could be taking some “you time” on a beach with a pina colada.
Being present is super important and it will allow you to make the most out of your experience.
You may only get to Thailand once in your life…and you don’t want to come home feeling like you missed out. Just because you took the selfie, doesn’t mean it really “happened” if you weren’t feelin it.
Breathe, take everything in…moment by moment.
Travel tip 2: Pack it up, pack it in, let me begin.
I’m like a packing ninja.
It’s the only way to stay sane when you’re on the road or in the sky as much as I am.
Here’s how I roll:
I HAVE TO limit the number of shoes I bring – it’s key.
I pack one dressier shoe with a heel or platform and one comfy sneaker-type shoe to wear with jeans.
When it comes to my color scheme…I stick to mostly neutrals like navy, black, grey and beige. If I have too many patterns or colors, it’s impossible to coordinate!
I bring one jacket and a few scarves to change it up.
I wash my hair BEFORE I go and use dry shampoo while I’m gone. And I bring some travel size shampoo and conditioner in case I’m gone awhile and have to wash it once or twice.
SAMPLE SIZE EVERYTHING.
#spacematters
When it comes to oils…I take them with me on my carry-on along with my laptop and a book.
Flying on an airplane = work time — so my carry-on content is hella important.
Travel tip #3: Work as efficiently as possible
Traveling the world while living your dream job is amaaaaazing but again, it doesn’t come without its challenges.
Finding places with a reliable internet connection, figuring out meetings when you’re going from time zone to time zone, staying in touch with your team back home, facetiming with your daughter and hubby….whew…it’s a lot.
But there are things you can do to make it easier!
Like blocking time to catch-up on work (and family time) for when you return from your trip.
Trust me. It will save you.
Also, get a daily mobile pass for your phone. #lifesaver
And finally, delegate delegate delegate.
That’s why you have a team. You can’t do it all. And don’t fool yourself into thinking you’ll turn into superwoman on your work vacay.
Delegate tasks ahead of time so you have some peace of mind while you’re writing social media posts from a taqueria next to a white sand beach or creating a nutrition plan for a client while lounging poolside.
Working while traveling is for some…living the dream.
I know it’s one of the things that made me feel like I really “made it” and if you use these tips and tricks, I guarantee you’ll have an easier time managing the challenges of living that dream.
Hayley Hobson is an author, speaker, Kick-A$$ Business Guru, 7 Figure MOM-treprenuer. and passionate about empowering others to live the life of their dreams and is based in Boulder, CO. Hayley creates lifestyle transformations by coaching her clients to become the best WHOLE version of themselves possible. To learn more about her nutritional courses, events, and custom programs, visit hayleyhobson.com or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.
