I’ve been traveling for the past four weeks, and while it has been great getting to see new parts of the world, I’ve also had some challenges running my business while on the road. There are a few things I would definitely do differently if I could have a do-over, so just in case you’re planning on taking your small business on the road, here are a few work efficiency tips I’d like to share:
1. Get Mobile WiFi
People joke and say they can’t live without the Internet, but if you own a business, you literally can’t survive or make money if you don’t have a proper Internet connection. I’ve been traveling in Europe and the Internet here is so slow that I have had several meltdowns. One day I tried three different Internet connections in three different locations to try to upload a video to send to a client, and I literally had to wait until I flew to another country to get to an Internet speed that worked fast enough for me.
Since then, I’ve had a mobile wifi, and it has been a life changer. If you want to have mobile WiFi, shop around. There are many different companies who offer this type of service, and it can really help during road trips or traveling abroad.
2. Hire Virtual Assistants
While you’re traveling, it’s hard to balance sightseeing with work. So, sometimes it’s helpful to hire a virtual assistant who can help you with certain tasks along the way. Virtual assistants can answer emails, promote your business on social media, and alert you of any pressing matters that you need to attend to. Having someone there to help you when you need it is a great way to ensure your business runs smoothly and you have the time to enjoy your travels at the same time.
3. Don’t Take On New Work
As a freelancer, it’s hard to say no to new clients and new work. I promised myself that I wouldn’t accept new clients or work while I was traveling to make sure I had enough time to enjoy my friends and family. Sure enough, an opportunity I couldn’t pass up came along and it ended up taking more time and energy than I wanted to.
Instead, have the courage to respond to emails for future partnerships letting them know that you’re currently traveling and will respond to all emails when you return. It’s the only way to ensure you have a meaningful and fun vacation without the stress of taking on new clients or the pressure of putting out great work for people you haven’t worked with before.
Ultimately, working efficiently while you travel is absolutely possible. You just have to set boundaries, hire help when you need it, and make sure you have access to your work from the Internet. If you do that and manage your time wisely, you can absolutely enjoy your travels while still being able to check in on your business from time to time so it keeps running smoothly.
