6 Hacks for Working Remotely Overseas

Working Remotely

There’s been a significant increase in the number of people who work entirely online in recent years. It was a growing trend anyway, but the pandemic really helped it along its way. In this day and age, it’s more than possible to run a business entirely online, working from wherever you want that has internet connection.

It’s easy to see the appeal of such a lifestyle. No commute, no everyday grind, maximum freedom. However, working remotely, especially working remotely overseas, doesn’t remove all problems. It can actually just replace traditional problems with new ones. Hopefully for those who choose to do it, the payoff is worth it. In this post, I’ll share some some handy hacks for ensuring your remote overseas working adventure is a success — both for you and for your business.

Choose the Right Space

It’s easy to think that the whole world is open to you when you decide to work overseas. But that’s not really the case. For starters, some places of the world have an unreliable internet connection, so they’ll be an instant no-go. Other places are just not recommended for working, maybe because of the culture of the destination (some places are best saved as a travel destination!) 

Choosing the right space is key because it’ll have a big impact on your productivity. Also, keep in mind time differences if they’ll be a factor. For instance, if you need to communicate with staff or business connections in a different timezone. If you’re just starting out, its best to choose somewhere that is already on the digital nomad map — it’ll make everything easier. 

Have a Real Workspace

You can work from a beach in a pinch. However it’s likely that you can’t do this every single day (and expect to work well). The idea of working in a hammock sounds good, but when it comes down to it, it’s could have a negative impact on your work. It will be much harder to focus as well as you usually can, and your body won’t be comfortable. Offices were created for a reason!

To work properly, you’ll need a real workspace. This can be an established place in your rental accommodation or maybe the better option, at a coworking space. That’ll give you a desk, reliable internet, and a community of like-minded people to tap into. You’ll pay for it, but there will be affordable options available, and in any case, it’ll be money well spent. 

Utilise Technology

It goes without saying that technology will be fundamental to the success of your overseas working adventure. It wouldn’t be possible without it. To maximise productivity, look at having a tech setup that goes beyond simply having a laptop and an internet connection. There are plenty of excellent tools you can use to work as effectively as possible. I’d recommend investing in a hosted desktop service as this will allow you to securely access your data, files, and software from wherever you are, even if you don’t have your primary computer with you. There are also plenty of communication tools you can use to stay in touch with your team. I’d also advise trying online training like McKissock to develop your skills and help with adding qualifications to your CV.

Connect With Your Employees

And talking of staying in touch with your team — make sure you do it! When you’re not in the same physical location, it’s important to take the time to speak with one another. Setting up a Slack channel or Whatsapp group so you can stay in touch throughout the day is a good idea. You might also want to schedule periodic video calls to ensure focussed time together. 

Balance Between Fun and Work

It’s easy to think of all the fun things you’ll do when you land at the destination that you’ve chosen. Yet, while it’s important to have a good time and enjoy your new surroundings, it’s good to be mindful of the impact that it may have on your professional life. Working remotely overseas exists in its own space between a holiday and a work trip, and it’ll be up to you to find the solution that works for you. But if you ever find that the quality of your work is beginning to slip, then you’ll need to reassess. 

Expect a Few Issues 

Finally, remember that you’ll inevitably run into a few issues when you’re working abroad. It can look like paradise living, but there’s no such thing! Take each day in your stride, enjoy the highs, and don’t forget that the lows will also be there. If you can go into with a positive yet cautious approach, you’ll find the right kind of working flow that benefits you both professionally and personally. 

LL x

*This is a contributed post. As ever, all opinions are my own.