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How to Get Work Done While Traveling

June 15, 2015 by Camilla

How do you effectively run your business while traveling? Well, that is something I’m still learning how to do.

There are many variables you deal with when you are on the road like finding reliable internet, trip delays, time zone changes and more.

How to Get Work Done While Traveling

I recently got back from a three week trip to Sweden to visit family. I knew I wanted to spend some major quality time while there but at the same time I had to get work done, answer emails from coaching clients and stay on top of things like social media and more.

I’m also going through an intense coaching program with Jaime Tardy, who is known for her ability to take people to the next level, but if you want to work with her and she accepts you as a client you need to hustle and put some serious time in!

Least to say I had a lot on my plate but I was determined to make it all happen.

 

So How Do You Get Everything Done While on the Road?

1. Learn beforehand to work from noisy places like coffee shops, airports and alike. Those may be your only access points to wifi when you travel. If you can’t work in noise, get a pair of Bose headphones (affiliate link). They will make your life a dream.

2. Get as much done before you leave on your trip. Before I left I wrote and scheduled a month’s worth of blog posts. I also wrote and scheduled all the emails that go out to my Get Stuff Done program participants.

3. Use automation tools like Buffer and schedule your social media posts ahead of time in bulk. That way you can just jump in and stay on top of things when you have internet access instead of worrying about what you should post about.

4. Follow the Parkinson’s Law. Schedule in short but hyper-focused work sessions so you can free up the rest of the day for fun and play. Make a list of must-do items that cannot wait and get them done! After all, you’re not across the globe or hanging out in a beautiful National Park to work all day.

5. Prioritize what is truly urgent and essential to keeping your business going so that when you have reliable internet access you can hammer things out and don’t waste it surfing Facebook.

6. Tell your clients you will be on the road and your response time may be longer than usual.

Lake Vattern Sweden - How to Get Work Done While Traveling

Obviously if you are traveling non-stop or living out of a van or suitcase like Natalie Sisson you can have more of a day-to-day schedule but you will still run into internet connection issues, time zone changes and cannot always get work done when you thought you would.

Learning how to work on the road effectively will be key. Practice going on shorter trips before you go on longer ones so you can learn what works and what doesn’t.

One of the best resources I have that has become my go-to is Natalie Sisson’s book The Suitcase Entrepreneur: Create freedom in business and adventure in life. (affiliate link) That book contains so much great information it’s a must read for anyone who wants to run a freedom business while traveling.

If you travel for work what tips do you have? If you don’t, got any questions that I may be able to answer? Please share in the comments.

Filed Under: Business, Lessons I'm Learning, Travel

A trip to Sweden and the past…

September 7, 2013 by Camilla

Lake Vättern
Lake Vättern

I love to travel and see new places, including revisiting some places I have been to. I would love to travel full-time but I do what I can with the time I have off. This time I’m in Sweden. I had hoped to pull off a trip to Italy in addition but could not find any last minute trips that worked out. Oh well, espresso in Italy will have to wait to next trip. Sweden has pretty darn good coffee too!

I’m visiting a town called Jönköping. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B6nk%C3%B6ping

It is a town surrounded by lakes, walking paths, nature and easy access to pretty much anything. I found this You Tube video that took some great photos of the area in the winter time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkiFZNgogNQ

Summer in Sweden is of course a more pleasant time to visit as the weather is warm and you have long days, while in the winter the days are short and the weather is cold. September is usually more rainy but Sweden is still having summer weather. I lucked out and have had perfect sunny 70 degree weather so far.

View of the lake from one of the many walking paths.
View from one of the walking paths.

Jönköping is at the south end of a big lake called Vättern. There is an island about an hour from the city called Visingsö that has a lot of history. I went there the other day to explore. I love to visit historical places that are 400+ years old and that are still standing. Not to mention walk around in a town that is over 700 years old. Wikipedia again has great information and photos of the island. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visings%C3%B6

View from the harbor at Visingsö.
View from the harbor at Visingsö.
Visingsborg Slott (castle). Only remains standing after a fire yr 1718. Built year 1573-1662.
Visingsborg Slott (castle). Only remains standing after a fire year 1718. Built year 1573-1662.
Brahe church finished built year 1636.
Brahe church finished year 1636.
Leaving the island on a ferry back to mainland.
Leaving the island on a ferry back to mainland.
Gränna, the mainland across Visingsö (island). Famous for polkagrisen, a candy.
Gränna, the mainland across Visingsö (the island). Famous for polkagrisen, a peppermint hard candy.

Going to places like this reminds me about that my life span is so short compared to the earths. It also reminds me about how many have been here before me and that one day hundreds of years from now someone will be standing in that same spot wondering about the people before them. It also reminds me about how much I have left to see of the world and how each and every place is unique and has a great story. I hope you never stop being curious about what’s outside your daily world…

Filed Under: Travel

Are you living your life the way you want to?

August 21, 2013 by Camilla

After my last blog on Sunday, a friend pointed out that yes I should say thanks and feel blessed with my life but that I am also the reason for making it happen. I am in charge of my life and I’m trying to live it in a way that I want to. I guess there is some truth to that. I am in charge. I decide on what I want and don’t want in my life. I made a choice to move here and live here. Granted I was doing it on a whim having no idea how beautiful Utah was as I had never been here or even seen pictures of it. I was living in Paris, France at the time and a co-worker’s friend had gone to school here and suggested I apply to the University of Utah. I did, was accepted and jumped on an airplane with two suitcases and a mountain bike. After all, I figured if I didn’t like it I could always transfer to another school in another state. Little did I know how much fun Utah was going to be for an outdoorsy girl like me!

My life in Paris with friends. Yes, I am the one in jeans :) Fashion was never my thing.
My life in Paris with friends. Yes, I am the one in jeans. Fashion was never my thing. 🙂
Utah bound...
Utah bound…
Welcome to Utah!
Welcome to Utah!

Yes, I do make the choice to go explore the beautiful mountains around us.

View of Salt Lake City from a mountain.
View of Salt Lake City from a mountain.

I do make a choice to get involved or not get involved. I work hard at what I want in my life. My life is not perfect and does not contain everything I would like to have in it and I am not living all my dreams. Some of my dreams yes, but not all. But I am working towards that. Hence why I am writing this blog and trying to share my story on how I am getting off the hamster wheel, that I somehow ended up in when I wasn’t paying attention, so that others can learn, get ideas, get inspired and get going on getting off theirs.

Me in front of Bryce Canyon.
Me in front of Bryce Canyon.

I do make the choice to wake up every morning with the mantra, “It’s up to you, girl!” “You can either choose to make this day crappy or you can make it the best it can be with what you have. And if it doesn’t have everything you want in it you have to go get it because you know what, it is not going to arrive at your front door without work.”

Damn. I hate reality. I wish I didn’t have to work hard at this blog and my future book. I wish I just had unlimited amount of money right now so that I could buy a EuroVan and go find people that want to get off the hamster wheel and help them in person instead of doing it through the written media. I am so much better in person.

I write the way I talk. Which means a zillion thoughts at the same time. I can switch gear in seconds. But when I talk to someone in person I can see if I have lost them and make sure we get back on the same page. I don’t have that feedback when I write. But I don’t have unlimited amount of money right now to tour the world seeking out people that want to change their lives.

So my blog is the second best for now until I can get to the EuroVan part of my dream. Who knows, soon my writing will be so good that people will follow me and I will be one of those well paid bloggers that sell lots of books and I can go tour the world. Just like not knowing how beautiful Utah was going to be I just have to go for it and see what happens. Who knows, if I don’t become this successful blogger then I know I will come across something great that I had no idea existed and it will be awesome. Just like living in Utah turned out to be. I will still find a way to get that EuroVan. http://www.utah.com/

The Delicate Arch, Utah. Our state symbol.
The Delicate Arch, Utah.

Filed Under: Life, Random thoughts, Travel

Interview with Michael – a Danish World Traveler

July 27, 2013 by Camilla

During one of my travels I ran into Michael from Denmark who has traveled the world either on a bike or with a backpack for the last 5 years. He kindly agreed to an interview. Each interview will be unedited and delivered just the way people answered.

As part of my interest in people and why some have an easier time to get off the hamster wheel than others I am going to ask similar questions to people I come across that have left the hamster wheel. I hope that by doing so I can either find a similar pattern or a way to connect the dots that can help others that are on the fence about following their dreams but that may need a little inspiration or ideas on how to get started. Each person has a story and we can always learn something from every person we meet.

You can also follow Michael or learn more about him on his website:   http://www.worldtraveller.dk

Q: What one thing or event made you decide to travel around the world when you did vs. a few years later?

In my case the relevant question is: What made you quit your traditional life in Denmark and travel permanently around the world?

A: The answer is many different events over a longer period of time:
– My father died of cancer just when he retired never getting to do all the things he had dreamed of doing. In addition I’ve experienced my brother (aged 9), friends and colleagues dying much too young. Our time on earth is limited so we better the most out of it.
– Taking an Executive MBA 10 years ago sparked a big personal development. For many years I was a workaholic who didn’t know myself (or understood others). Becoming aware I realized my whole identity was founded in work and that there was much more to life than that.
– Becoming intrigued by people I unsuccessfully tried to change career from finance to human resource. Then I unsuccessfully applied to study psychology and getting involved in voluntary work.
– Not being able to find a new purpose in life in Denmark, I went back on the road hoping to find it along the way – however, the more I traveled  the more I distanced myself from the Danish society, so now my home is everywhere and nowhere.
– My current 5 year bicycling/backpacking trip around the world is a means to finding a new purpose in life. Consequently, I’ll only continue travelling as long as it’s fun and giving. The day the scale tips over and something else becomes more important, the trip is over.

Q: What is your #1 advice for people that don’t know where to start?

A: Wherever you decide to go there is only one way of finding out if you like it – try it out in practice; not by reading books. You can read a guidebook for inspiration and advice on practicalities but you’ll experience that reality is much different. The more you read the higher the expectations and bigger the risk of being disappointed. Make a rough plan and improvise once you’re at your destination – you’ll be surprised how easy it is (ask the locals for advice) and the best and most memorable experiences are often based on spontaneity. Also it’s common to experience prepaid transportation, accommodation, etc. as a constraint. If you feel uncomfortable arriving in a foreign country without a hotel room book a couple of nights to settle in – I never make reservations and always find a place to stay. By paying in advance you pay much more and you risk being disappointed because you can’t inspect the room or negotiate for something better.

If you feel insecure the first time you travel (whether bicycling or backpacking) visit an easier (and safer) region first e.g. North America, Europe, Oceania or Asia. Experience comes over time and partly from meeting other travelers  That said, I never had a bad experience anywhere in the world. Be open-minded but don’t be naive and be particularly careful when using public transportation (in the stations and on the journey).

Quality equipment is expensive so borrow the first time you travel until you know if you like it. If you do, start buying high quality equipment – it might be more expensive but it lasts longer and there’s nothing as annoying as damaged equipment while travelling.

When travelling to places with other cultures be open-minded and respectful. We tend to judge others based on our own values and beliefs but nobody is right or wrong – we’re just different. Curiosity and openness is an opportunity for being inspired and learning something new.

Q: Do you follow travel blogs and websites of other world travelers? If so, any you would recommend?

A: Not really. I read the blogs of people I meet when travelling, but I don’t search for travel blogs.

Q: How do you finance your trips? Work along the way, live solely on savings or go back to Denmark to work and save up?

A: I live on my savings, but my way of travelling is cheap as I live like the locals wherever I go. Especially time is of essence when travelling cheap – you can get great deals on transportation particularly if you are flexible.

In cities I usually couchsurf (free) and when bicycling in the countryside I just knock on a door and ask if I can pitch my tent – I hardly ever have to ask twice. I have only experienced kindness, helpfulness, hospitality and generosity wherever I go.

Q: Do you meet families that travel the way you do or do you only meet singles/couples?

A: I have never met a family cycling long distance and rarely couples. Most often it’s solo trips or two friends travelling together. The vast majority are men – only once I have met two women bicycling and never a single woman.

I have backpacked extensively around the world for decades and have hardly ever met families with children (and when I do the children are usually very young). Living like the locals, my traveling is fairly simple/primitive which makes it unlike to run into families whom I presume prefer more comfort/facilities. Besides that I have met people in all kinds of relationships and of all ages – one couple were 85 and had only started backpacking 5 years previously… it’s never too late.

Q: How would you want your eulogy to be read? And do you feel that you are living your life in a way that fits that?

I honestly don’t care about my eulogy as I’ll be dead – and what good is a legacy when you’re dead. What is important to me is living in the moment; not in the past or in the future. Adversity is a learning opportunity so I focus on staying positive and on possibilities – as well as finding the good things in everyday experiences. If everyday for the rest of my life is a good day it’s a good life.

The easiest way to happiness and success is doing what I’m passionate about (at any given time). Success implies more success and happiness implies more happiness – a positive spiral emerges. Success and happiness are decisive for my self-esteem and well-being and these are decisive for how I look at myself (my identity) and eventually how I treat others – unless I love myself I can’t love others.

I never stop reflecting upon the purpose of my life and what I want to achieve in life before I die. I have limited and unknown time on earth, so life is all about making decisions and prioritizing. If I’m unhappy with something I take action instead of complaining – blaming others for my problems and unhappiness solves nothing. Besides doing nothing (which is not a solution) there are only 3 possible solutions:

– Either I accept what I’m unhappy about and let it go (in my heart, mind and stomach)
– I change it or
– I walk away from it

P1210920 (1)

Michael at Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina

Filed Under: Interviews, Travel

The Bucket List…

July 9, 2013 by Camilla

Lately I have been working on my bucket list but for every item I cross off I find a few new ones to add. My bucket items usually have to do with travel or activity. My list is very scattered, pieces of papers where I have written things down, a cut out article, in my head or just bookmarks of travel sites and more. The other day I searched the term “bucket list” and up came several cool sites which of course just added more ideas for mine. I also found a really cool page featuring “Bucket List: 225 Things to do Before You Die” on www.lifed.com. It has photos of each bucket item. Reading these lists made me think of organizing mine and get them all on the same place. So I created two Bucket List tabs for this site and are going to work on getting my lists organized.

Over the 4th of July weekend I went to the Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. I’m currently on this National Park visit kick as one of my bucket items is to visit every single national park in America. I have visited many over the years but I have so many left to see. For some reason I had never been to see the Old Faithful geyser. I can cross that off my bucket list now. All the geysers were cool to explore but then I discovered Lamar Valley in the northeastern part of the park. I love watching wildlife and was hoping to see a bear or wolf. I absolutely fell in love with that area of the park and will go back in the early fall and join a weekend trip with the Yellowstone Institute. Sometimes when you go to a place or an area that is not on your bucket list you discover a new passion. I love exploring new areas and sometimes you find that it is not what your thought it would be but more often than not you realize you have been missing out for all that time you didn’t know it was such an amazing place.

I always meet new and interesting people when I’m out traveling. Lately I keep running into people that are out biking around the country or the world. I have always wanted to bike the Oregon coast. Biking seems to be such a neat way of exploring and everyone I talk to started out with a short trip but then decided to keep going and several have been doing it for years. That’s how life goes; sometimes when we expand our horizon crossing off one of those bucket list items it opens our eyes to a whole new world. A world we knew existed but never thought much about until we came across it because we decided to take a different route than originally planned or just strike up a conversation with a stranger.

Keep going, you’ll never know where you end up when you take a route you didn’t plan on taking. Also, never forget to look in the side view mirror when driving among beautiful places. What is behind you can often take your breath away…

Teton sideview mirror

Filed Under: Random thoughts, Travel

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Hello! My name is Camilla. I'm the founder of the Live Your Legacy framework and the Paycheck to Paycheck Method. Around here we love teaching high achievers like you how to achieve your goals so you can excel and live your legacy!

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