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I thought today’s video asked a really good question – if you want to get location independence right, how will you balance work and play? I’m having a mini test-run when my husband and I are in Glasgow for a couple of days next month (for his work) and possibly in France at the end of the month. As I’ve already said, structure is hard when my workload fluctuates. Next spring, I’m planning to be away for four months, doing exactly what Natalie mentions – long, working holidays in foreign countries. So how would I manage this?

Techniques for Balancing Location Independence

I’ve never been to Portugal, but it’s been on my list for a long time and I’m intending to get there next year. As a fan of port (the drink) I intend to visit some vineyards and have tasting sessions. I’ll also need to be continuing my regular work for my retainer clients and checking in on social media and so forth.

The first thing I’ll do is find places I can get wifi, so I can organise my schedule around where and when I can actually get online. I’ve just listened to Natalie’s interview with Craig Ballantyne, where he explains that his mentor recommends a “four hour work day”, which I think is a good approach.

While I don’t think I’ll be getting up at 6am, especially if I’m on holiday, there’s something immensely satisfying about doing some work first thing and getting it out of the way, so you don’t feel guilty for neglecting it. I’d do 30 minutes of exercise as a minimum, although as we tend to walk everywhere when we’re exploring somewhere new, I’d factor that into my routine.

Once I’ve got my tasks agreed with clients, I’d like to block out time at the start of every month to complete them all, so I may do this over the first week as we start to get our bearings, and for the rest of the time just maintain contact with people and deal with new things as and when they crop up.

I’d prefer not to be constantly contactable, although it may be worth investing in a local SIM card so I don’t miss any important emails. Plus, I can use it for Google Maps to help me find my way round Portugal!

Location independence in Portugal!

This blog post is in response to Natalie’s 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge Day 9