Working Your Way Around the World

Travel is often seen as a young person’s game, something enjoyed by those fresh out of college who are ready to explore the world. For young people, it’s usually the best time in one’s life to travel the globe, before settling into the world of work. But does that always have to be the case?

What if you could travel the world but still keep up your career? Well, the good news is that you can! In fact, more and more people are pursuing this type of travel while working. From travel bloggers to digital nomads, it is possible to earn a living on the road, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Find out more about how it’s done and start your travel adventure!

What can you do?

You might be wondering how you can actually keep working while traveling abroad, but it’s easier than you think. With the advancement of working tools such as ‘the cloud’ and remote systems, more and more businesses are making use of people working in different locations. If you can work for a company while living in a different city, why not work in another country?

There are a lot of different jobs you can do that will enable you to work while traveling. Some of the best digital nomad jobs include copywriting, social media management, graphic design and programming. If your job can be done on a computer from anywhere, there’s a good chance you can make it work from anywhere in the world.

If you’re already working as a freelancer, the transition will be a simple one. Otherwise, you’ll need to think carefully about how you can leave your job and pursue an online career that will enable you to travel at the same time.

Getting started

One of the most difficult parts of embarking on long-term travel is actually going for it. Getting started can be scary, but it’ll be worth it once you do. After considering how you’re going to pay your way, you can get started on the planning. Deciding which destinations to visit and what you’re going to see can be exciting and exhilarating. You can use different tools for planning your trip that will help you to work out itineraries, flights, etc. and help you on your way.

At different points of your trip, especially the beginning, you’ll want to make sure that you set aside some time to adjust and enjoy yourself. It will help to have some additional funds on hand to cover you and help ease you into the traveling life.

Making the most of your traveling

The danger of working while traveling is that you can easily spend too much time working and not enough time traveling. By doing your research about different places, you can make sure that you work out what you want to see and when, and ensure that you get to enjoy all of the experiences that are available to you.

Being in a new location will make it easier for you to ditch old habits and can fill up your evenings and weekends, especially if you move locations more frequently. To truly make the most out of your trip, make sure you take advantage of the different attractions and things to do. You’d regret spending the whole time working, so be sure to make the most of your travels.

Keeping your travel costs down

Because you are working in your new location, you are able to enjoy a more comfortable touring experience than the average traveler – more time to tour, less rushing, and comfortable accommodations. However, despite this, you’ll still need to keep a close eye on your finances. Take note of different travel hacks that will reduce your costs and will help you to live within your means.

The good news is that you’re likely to have fewer outings than you would working at home. Without regular rent payments, car payments and other regular deductions, you could have more money at your disposal, although you’ll want to consider saving some too.

If you’re planning on staying in some destinations for longer periods, you should consider semi-permanent accommodations that will give you a base to work from and allow you to soak up local living. Rented accommodations can be more affordable in the long run than relying on hostels or hotels, particularly in places like Indonesia where the cost of living is lower. A search for ruko minimalis could lead you to some excellent accommodations or working spaces that will be perfect for your travels. As you get to know the area in more detail, you’ll be able to find some hidden treasures that wouldn’t normally be obvious to the typical tourist.

Manage client expectations

Modern businesses are embracing working with freelancers and remote workers, but it’s important that you establish clear boundaries and guidelines for both your clients and yourself to help you survive. Let clients know what times they can expect to be able to contact you, when work will be delivered, and give them plenty of notice if you’re going to be unavailable.

Maintaining relationships with your clients is important, especially if you’re going to be relying on their business for a long period of time. Word of mouth travels fast, so if you want to generate more business for yourself, client satisfaction is key.

Enjoy a work/life balance

Just as you would at home, it’s important to find a work/life balance when you’re working on the move. It can be easy to spend more time working than enjoying your travels, and vice versa.

Maintaining your work/life balance isn’t always easy, but creating a work pattern that works for you can help you get things done and leave you with enough free time to enjoy yourself. Get up early, take days off, and remember to take care of yourself. Taking some time to relax and recharge can be difficult when you’re trying to juggle work and traveling, but it can be a great lifestyle once you’ve found the balance.

Keep track of your finances

Keeping an eye on your travel budget is important, but you also need to consider your business income as well as your personal finances to make sure you’re paying the right taxes and that your expenses are accounted for. The good news is that there are plenty of handy cloud-based accounting apps that can help you in this area. Make electronic copies of everything – you don’t want to be stuck filling your luggage with paperwork!

Could you make a permanent switch?

Traveling opens you up to a number of different experiences. You’ll expand your horizons, embrace new cultures, and will experience a different type of living than you’re used to back home. When you add work into the mix too, you can soon visualize how you could make your move a permanent one.

Deciding to move abroad is a big step, and you should be prepared to live a different lifestyle when you’re traveling from place to place. Settling down somewhere can bring the same challenges as life back home would, so think carefully before you decide to pack up your bags for good.

Working while traveling is certainly a way to avoid the daily grind and enjoy a change of scenery. It can be a great way to make even the dullest of jobs more exciting! Whether you decide to try it for a short period or make a longer-term lifestyle change, you can enjoy a very rewarding experience traveling, while still being able to continue your career. Stop daydreaming about the wider world and go see it, you only get one life after all!

Are you working your way around the world? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments.

Happy Travels!

Julie

This post was published in collaboration with other companies and may contain affiliate links.  All opinions in this blog are completely my own and are not affected by any advertiser or product. Per FTC guidelines, this website may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, affiliate programs, or otherwise. Any references to third-party products, rates, or websites are subject to change without notice.