Embrace Wanderlust: Tips for the Mobile CEO

Wander With Wonder – Discovering Wow Moments Around the World or Across the Street

Discover how to thrive as a mobile CEO and become an effective digital nomad while traveling the world.

Remote working has many benefits and has become increasingly popular post the COVID-19 pandemic, with many workers now free to work from a location that best suits their needs. However, it is not only workers who enjoy this freedom. According to a 2202 survey by Marcum-Hofstra, around  10% of all CEOs now work remotely. Adopting this change of work is not for everyone. It requires sound planning and organization to ensure your business runs smoothly without a permanent location where all your employees can work. Read on for our top tips about being the best mobile CEO and becoming an effective digital nomad.

The Key to a Successful Remote Work-Travel Lifestyle

It is worth stating at the outset that unstructured freedom in remote work can cause disorganization and stress if not managed properly. The secret of living in this lifestyle is creating a clear boundary between work hours and travel time.

Begin with setting a realistic routine. If you constantly switch time zones, your peak productivity hours will likely change, so check the time zones and stick to the hours when you are most productive.

For example, if you know you are a morning person and work better in the morning, try tackling your most important tasks in the morning. The rest of the day is for exploration and adventure.

Managing Your Company Finances on the Move

Remote work lets you work from anywhere, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your company’s financial health. Traveling can quickly eat into your budget, spending money on such things as accommodation, meals, transportation, and entertainment.

For this reason, you need to monitor your company’s finances and overall cash flow by ensuring your cash flow statement is up-to-date and balanced correctly. With this financial discipline, you can also ensure that your remote working lifestyle stays profitable as you move to new cities and countries.

Setting Boundaries for Productivity

Setting firm boundaries means staying productive on the road. This isn’t limited to distractions only; respect your time and energy.

It can get tricky for business owners and other types of remote workers, who are under constant pressure to be available for everyone at all times. However, not establishing firm work separation hours may burn you out.

Another good way is creating a structured routine. For example, work during specific hours of the day. For example, your work might run from 7 AM to 1 PM, and the rest of the day can be spent exploring your locale. Maybe it’s more practical to break your day into a few smaller work blocks. The key is consistency.

Investing in productivity tools would also make a difference. If your business is moving between different destinations, it could use project management platforms, such as Trello or Asana, to keep track of tasks.

Also, as a remote business owner, using tools like Slack and Zoom will ensure smooth communication so you can stay connected and in sync.

Finding a suitable workspace is another essential aspect of productivity. Working from a beach bar may seem like a nice idea, but it can become a distraction if you’re not careful. Look for proper co-working spaces with the facilities you’d expect to find in an orthodox office.

So many cities now have co-working memberships that give you access to professional environments meant for remote workers.

Tips for Staying Focused While Traveling

It’s not always easy to work remotely while traveling. You may encounter Wi-Fi problems, be in unfamiliar surroundings, want to explore new places or lose focus. But with the right plan, you can stay on top of your work without feeling bad that you missed out on the travel experience.

Here are some practical tips for embracing the digital nomad lifestyle :

Designate Specific Work Hours: Although remote work allows peace, keeping a regular work schedule can also be beneficial to create normalcy. Inform your colleagues or clients when you’re free and commit to that schedule.
Use Asynchronous Communication: If your staff is spread out across different time zones, you should use asynchronous communication. Through tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams, you can collaborate effectively without using meetings or real-time responses.
Prioritize Essential Tasks: If you have many tasks, deal with the important ones first. If your day gets hectic at once and your Wi-Fi connection disappears, you are already done with what is essential.
Take Short, Meaningful Breaks: The key is to remember to take a break from your laptop. During your lunch hour, enjoy lunch while walking around or looking at a local landmark. Switching tasks will give you fresh air and avoid burnout.
Be Mindful of Time Zones: If you travel across time zones, change your work schedule. Finally, remember to work with any time zone difference when scheduling meetings or setting deadlines.
Leverage Productivity Tools: Track time with Toggl or apps like Toggl to ensure productivity. Pomodoro timers can also help you focus by breaking your time into short and long breaks.

Maintaining Financial Stability

Constant travel sounds enticing when working remotely, but this can quickly fall apart without solid financial planning. Here are other financial practices to help you stay on track:

Set a Travel Budget: Set a monthly or quarterly travel budget that includes flights, accommodation, meals, and the cost of sightseeing. This will allow you to see whether your income can realistically sustain your way of traveling.
Track Business Expenses: You should ensure you’re accurately tracking the costs related to your business. That includes co-working memberships, software subscriptions, and everything in between. You and your team need to be meticulous and manage not just your personal finances but also your business.
Prepare for Unexpected Costs: You need an emergency fund for unexpected expenses. Having a financial cushion will save you stress, whether there’s a change in your last-minute flight or an emergency work expense.

Conclusion

Working remotely as a business owner allows you to live life on your terms, but it demands significant effort. Sound planning and good organization can help you manage your business finances effectively. We invite you to explore  Wander With Wonder for more information on being a digital nomad, living the RV lifestyle, and getting ideas for the best destinations.