The Digital Nomad
In the past, some may have called me a gypsy, a roamer, a rambling rose. Yet, with where all the roads may lead me, I don’t think the grass is any greener or the wine any sweeter, than my home away from home.
Diamond Head Crater found its name because of its beauty. If viewed at the right time, it glistens so brightly, some would argue it twinkles and sparkles as though someone threw handfuls of glitter all over it. Handfuls of glitter on anything has always seemed like a good idea to me. British Sailors gave it its name, when they mistakenly thought it was covered in diamonds, as this sparkly reflection could only be created by something that beautiful. This sparkle was later learned to be calcite crystals embedded in the lava rock. However, every time I look at it, I still think they are diamonds.
As I sit here on my balcony overlooking this phenomenal creation our earth made, I can’t help but count my blessings. I have travelled over to Oahu for a bit of business and some pleasure and life cannot feel more balanced. Without skipping a beat, I can wake up and work, put on my swimsuit in the afternoon and play with the kids on the beach. I can control my workplace and space, as opposed to the years in the past being tied down to an office, even worse, a cubicle. Yes, I admit I was a cubicle drone, working 8 hours a day (if not more) in a 10X10 space. Every day.
Humans are nomads by design, dating back thousands of years when people moved, in tribes usually, for the greater good of their needs. Whether it was for food, work, shelter or love, nomads roamed the land freely, following what was needed for survival and fulfillment. They left the cold when it got to cold, followed herds of animals to fill their bellies and when their tribe became to small, they searched for others, to continue to procreate. Living life based on the most foundational needs was their strategy.
I will never forget when I heard a wise man once say, “let life proceed by your own design.” By my own design? Was that even possible? It was after a terribly long week of work, in that cubicle, feeling tied down to a career I loved, but in an environment that was breaking me. I had gained 15 pounds, sitting away in a space that wasn’t me. The lighting was awful, the room always cold, the stale air circulating germs and a 30-minute lunch that was filled with aimless internet searches and a frozen burrito. Something needed to change.
Becoming an entrepreneur was all about achieving the work life balance of my dreams; freedom. Free to work how, when and why I wanted. Work still had to occur, but I craved the flexibility to do it on my terms. As technology advanced and the internet became accessible anywhere, all electronic storage services went “cloud” and cell service was more common than a landline, my dreams became a reality and I to became a Digital Nomad.
It happened slowly, as my rigorous work ethic always taught me one thing, stay consistent. Clocking in and clocking out of my office was so routine, that I knew it played a part in my success. So, without skipping a beat, I set up an office at home, that mimicked my past location. All the way down to the cubicle walls. I clocked in and clocked out, as though nothing changed other than now I owned the business and all of its responsibilities.
Over time, I started venturing out. Now that I had the freedom to control my schedule, I began to discover what was necessary to create success. Buying the right tools was the first step. I found a laptop I enjoyed. I finally could justify buying a phone that had just as many capabilities as my laptop, but fits in my pocket. I put most of my work on cloud-based systems which gave me freedom to access files, information and documents from anywhere. I bought myself the work tote I had been coveting for years and keep it stocked and ready for when I am on the go.
Self-Management takes on a whole new level when one can roam wildly through their days, bouncing from place to place. Work however has boundaries; deadline dates, results, client meetings and reports. To survive, leaders must find tools to support the management that must take place to ensure you aren’t landing in a place that can’t support you meeting your work accountability. Software like Google Calendar, Calendly, Monday.com and good old-fashioned day planners, can help organize the work, so you can step outside the “office” confident you won’t drop any balls. Make it a habit to look at these tools the same time every day, week and month. Plan your day trips, weekend getaways and month-long extended stays within the boundaries of your work.
Discover what work environment suits you best. Certain work is better suited for a co-working space, such as The Red House. Co-Working is a growing trend in which digital nomads can se share resources such as office space, printers, fax machines, kitchens, meeting rooms, projectors and even ideas and information. Whether it is the coworking space or coffee shop, your van, a comfortable AIRBNB such as The Farmhouse or some other nook of the world, find what works for your work. As you ride on, remember the things that worked or didn’t for the future.
Today I found myself needing a different perspective to finish this article, so I packed up and went to the center of town. I spent the day chasing the sunshine, doing some daydreaming and writing it all down.
Find Your True North