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One of the great perks of freelancing is the ability to work from anywhere. You often see pictures of people working from exotic locations, whether it’s from a hammock, a cozy lounge, or a charming European café. I love the freedom that comes with traveling, which is why I shifted from being an entertainer to a full-time online freelancer. Since then, I’ve worked from some amazing places around the world like Rome, New York, Florence, Nashville, San Francisco, Chicago, and Louisville.
Of course, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. I’ve faced my share of challenges, from late-night work sessions to dealing with unhappy clients. But I’ve learned and grown from these experiences. I no longer take calls at 3 AM, miss out on fun activities to finish projects, or stress about late payments. Sounds great, right? It is.
If you’re eager to travel the world, work from anywhere, and avoid the mistakes I made, keep reading.
### The Three Biggest Mistakes I Made While Working and Traveling
When I first started freelancing abroad, I made quite a few mistakes. Here are the top three, along with how I fixed them, so you can avoid these pitfalls.
#### Mistake 1: Mixing Up Time Zones
Freelancing online means working with clients from all over the world, which can make time zones tricky. I once missed an important meeting in Rome because I forgot about the time difference. Luckily, the client was understanding, and we rescheduled. To avoid this, always double-check time zones when scheduling meetings.
#### Mistake 2: Scheduling Free Time for Work
I’m someone who thrives on to-do lists and schedules. While this helps me get a lot done at home, it wasn’t ideal in Rome. I made the mistake of scheduling work too close to tours and activities, which left me feeling anxious and unable to enjoy my trip. My solution was to get up early and work in a quiet bar. By the time the day started, I had already accomplished some work and could enjoy the rest of my day. If you’re not a morning person, consider working before dinner.
#### Mistake 3: Overbooking Work
On my second day in Rome, I took on a $2,000 project that required two days of work. While it was great to earn money, I realized I wasn’t enjoying my vacation. I ended up staying up late to finish the project so I could enjoy the rest of my trip. To avoid this, I now limit myself to two hours of work each day, either in the morning or before dinner. If a client needs a rush job, I send them a polite message explaining my limited availability due to travel.
### Why Most Freelancers Dislike Working Abroad
When I talked to other freelancers about working while traveling, they had three main complaints:
1. **Clients Don’t Want to Work with You on the Road**: This isn’t true. Clients care about results, not your location.
2. **Your Work Suffers**: Also false. Good work can be done anywhere if you have the right systems in place.
3. **You Can’t Make Money**: Completely wrong. If you address a client’s needs and provide quality work, you’ll book projects regardless of your time zone.
### Tips for Successful Freelancing While Traveling
Here are three tips to help you succeed as a freelancer while traveling:
1. **Find Good Wi-Fi**: Reliable internet is crucial. I’ve found that coffee shops often have better Wi-Fi than hotels.
2. **Back Up Everything Offline**: Save digital copies of all important documents that you can access without internet.
3. **Be Prepared**: The night before, get everything ready for the next day’s work. This way, you can start working immediately without wasting time.
### Final Thoughts
I love freelancing remotely. While I struggled at first, I’ve now found a rhythm that works for me. You can freelance from anywhere if you’re prepared, have clear goals, and limit your work hours each day.
Are you interested in learning how to work and travel? Why or why not?