Real-time footage of me working at a park while my children and husband are on a hike nearby.
One of the most common questions I get asked as an entrepreneur and homeschooling mother is how do you find the time to do it all? There are some pretty consistent subsequent questions that help provide additional context to the full response. I will walk you through those below.
But before we continue, I want to address the elephant in the room. Privilege. Yes, it has taken much sacrifice, uncertainty, and turbulence along the way, but at the end of the day my husband and I have resources that not everyone does and are a team and that is what makes this all function smoothly. Now that’s out of the way, let’s continue with my key areas to work efficiently while traveling, and still enjoy where you are.
Mindset
We often hear: “Oh, I wish I could do that. I just haven’t been able to quite figure it out.”
You are not alone! Traveling while working and/or working while homeschooling can feel like a pipe dream. There are a million aspects to consider. You may be wondering how you can possibly get the amount of work done you need to or if it is the best choice for your children and family. My advice here is if you have already considered it, then why not give it a try? That little voice in your head or inkling in your heart, is telling you that you are ready for change. Decisions do not have to last forever. You can pivot and adapt as needed. So once you decide to go for it, it does take some intentional effort! Our planner helps us make time and space for our travels while prioritizing our work and mental health. It helps us set forth a plan, and stay organized to make sure it gets properly executed.
Time Blocking
“How do you have a consistent internet connection?” is a common question.
We have a work schedule that fits all of our internet-based work into 3 days, so that we can plan around this. The reality is that the internet is not always as strong or consistent as apps and websites predict, so we plan our travels around ensuring we are in more populated areas 3 days per week. Sometimes that means finding a great campsite that has a strong internet, and other times that means some of us are playing in the city while the other works from the van or a coffee shop.
A Flexible Plan
We have been asked: “How do you make time to enjoy where you are and still get the work done?”
This answer goes hand in hand with the response above. We have a schedule that has great flexibility for open time and space to play. We batch our client meetings and homeschool online classes all into a few days so that the others can be spent on drive time and exploration without the extra stress and hassle.
The Key Takeaways
Set Realistic Expectations
Stay super realistic. We set a work schedule in place that leaves room for flexibility but also space to ensure enough time is committed to work to meet deadlines and client meetings. I also make a mental list of what’s important to myself, as well as my family, before making the choice to add anything else on our schedule. I’ve prioritized my family’s interests and well-being over people-pleasing and perfectionism tactics. I stopped the cycle of living for more a long time ago, and have since embraced the notion that less can in fact be more.
Slow Travel
Our itinerary is not jam packed with everything to do everywhere we go. Instead we leave extra space for free exploration and a chance to just explore at our own pace. This takes the stress away from having to do everything and allows us all to enjoy much more.
Align Your Decisions with Your Values
Wondering what our top motivation for this lifestyle we have chosen and how it all works? It is completely aligned with our vision and values. Once you start making decisions and setting a routine around your values, it is much easier to be efficient and joyful.
At the end of the way, if you want something badly enough, you find a way to make it happen. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not this year, but eventually when the timing is right, it happens. Know that I am here rooting for you to make your dream(s) happen.
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