Photography by msn678
This is a guest-post by Mark Hayward, writing from the Caribbean.
Do you get a nauseous feeling in the pit of your stomach every day as you drive your car to work? Are you truly tired of toiling away in a cubicle wishing you could be anywhere else in the world BUT there?
My friend, you are definitely not alone. In fact, I was there once myself.
If you answered yes to the above questions then you are probably more than ready to remove yourself from the office and start down the path towards what I call personal freedom.
You should know up front that removing yourself can be done but depending on your particular situation you will probably need to plan on taking at least a year to fully remove yourself. Can it be done quicker? Of course it can but I have found that one-year allows for the proper amount of time to make sure that all details are covered.
Some background information
A little over twelve years ago I had finally decided, that was it! I was done with homogenized office life and working for other people. Since that time I have been fortunate enough to travel the globe extensively and I have managed live overseas for extended periods of time while working on various government contracts.
At present, I call a small tropical island in the Caribbean home where I run a small business and blog regularly about pursuing personal freedom, blogging, and entrepreneurship.
Right now you might be asking, “so where do you start?” Or you might be thinking, “I am really ready to pursue personal freedom.”
As a way of helping Skellie settle into her new home here at AnyWired I am going to offer you the gift of ten tips that should help you to “take your show on the road.”
- Evaluate where you are at in your personal and financial life. Before you consider any move toward freedom, whether it is changing jobs or a full removal from the workplace, always evaluate where you are at in your personal and financial life. Specifically, do you have a spouse, or children? How about a mortgage? Having a family or mortgage are not deal-breakers but they will require a little more planning on your part.
- Begin your basic internet research. Do you want to move overseas and work? Or, would you like to continue to live at your present location and freelance? Either way, at this point Google should be your best friend as you search for freelance work, or begin to decide what country will be your new home.
- Start small. If you think you would like to live overseas, and if you have the funds, I strongly recommend that you take a two or three week “warm-up” trip to one or two of your countries of choice. Likewise, if you will remain in your home then use vacation days, or ask at work if you can telecommute from home one or two days a week.
- Become an effective networker. If you take one tip away from this post, even though it means more competition for me, work at the skill of networking. All of my overseas jobs, and even the business I that I currently own, were acquired through successful networking.
- Create a plan A, B, and C. This tip could actually be listed earlier in the process, but it also fits in well right here in the middle. You have made the decision, at least in concept, to pursue personal freedom and I can’t stress this enough – always have a contingency plan! On paper plan “A” might look great but what if the week before you were to leave for your new chosen country there was a coup…? It happens, be ready.
- Moving Overseas – make sure you can legally live in the country. If you are moving within your own country, or even staying in the same town, this is not an issue. However, if you plan to move overseas make sure you can legally live and work at your desired destination. I have witnessed people show up to what they thought was going to be their new “home” country of choice only to be sent home because they lacked the proper work permit or immigration status.
- Begin to mentally remove yourself from your current job. By this I mean, if you are moving overseas start to learn a little bit of the language of your new home country. Or, if you plan to freelance start doing some “pro bono” work to get your name out there.
- Do NOT listen to negative feedback. Many people, when you tell them of your plans to remove yourself from the office, will respond (I know from personal experience) by telling you, “Oh – you can’t possibly do that.” Don’t listen to them! If you need moral support feel free to email me.
- Create a business plan or secure an overseas contract. If you will be working at home, on the road, or starting a new freelance business overseas now is the time to complete your business plan or secure employment contracts.
- Give your notice at work. I know from experience that sometimes this can be bittersweet and many of my good friends I actually met through previous jobs that I have had. Additionally, no matter how much you hate your job (or your boss) DO NOT burn any bridges. You never know what life has in store for you and it is always better to leave on a professional standing.
There you go, “Ten Tips To Help You Take Your Show On The Road” I hope if nothing else the tips above get you thinking about the possibilities that exist and maybe even get you ready to take the first step.
Oh yeah, one last tip. If you do decide to remove yourself from the office or take your show on the road, really savor the last time you turn off your computer, and walk with your head held high as you go through the exit door and begin your journey on the path towards personal freedom.
Good luck! – Mark
Mark writes about blogging, personal freedom, and entrepreneurship over at mytropicalescape.com and if you liked this post then you might consider signing up for his RSS feed.
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29 Comments, Comment or Ping
Peter
Yes, I get that nauseous feeling on the drive to work! I can’t wait to “take my show on the road”…. I’m in the organizing stage at the moment. Thanks for the further inspiration Mark.
Jan 12th, 2008
Boring Market
Making sure to legally leave the country is a good point, because isn’t fun to hang out in customs for a day. Mark, you have some strong points which many never take into account. I have already subscribed to your site and I think more people should too.
Jan 13th, 2008
Mike Goad
Been there. Done that.
I agree fully with item #10 — Don’t burn any bridges.
I’m going back the other direction — to the office I left 365 days ago.
Actually, I did the leaving part a lot differently than is recommended here. I left the old fashioned way. I earned it.
We resisted the temptation to splurge to the level of our income and saved, saved, saved. I retired right after turning 55 with a good old fashioned pension and investments that are very sheltered and hard to get at.
Now I have the opportunity to go back to that same office and do the things that I enjoyed about the job and without the responsibilities, heartaches and headaches that drove me to retire before I really wanted to — as a contractor at more than double what I was making when I left. It’s only a six month gig.
The thing is, I could have really burned the bridges badly. The main reason I left when I did was the new boss — and I told him and his boss that. However, I did it in a somewhat diplomatic way and now he’s one of the one’s who has pushed for authorization to bring me back. The main negative to this whole thing is that he’s going to be the contract manager — but, hey, it’s only a 6 month gig.
Don’t burn any bridges!
Jan 13th, 2008
Mike Smith
Great article. I’ve been working from home for a while now and I need to really start looking into doing some traveling and working from other places.
Jan 13th, 2008
Mark
Hi Peter - good luck with removing yourself! Will you be freelancing?
Hi Boring Market - I am glad you liked the tips and thanks for subscribing to my site
Hi Mike - I learned the burning bridges tip the hard way…That is pretty awesome that you will be going back at DOUBLE the salary.
To SKELLIE - THANKS for letting me be your first guest poster and best of luck with your new site!! Remember us little people when you are making millions
Jan 13th, 2008
James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips
Good list. We went through this at one point when Harry was considering Canada as a home.
I’ll add something that might be good to consider - sometimes, offering your soon-to-be-ex bosses to hire you to work for them can help. If you’re starting a business in a particular service they use or might need, why not make them your first client?
Jan 13th, 2008
Brett
I’m not thinking about moving overseas. Just Vermont. But I think these tips are just as applicable. Thanks!
Jan 13th, 2008
David Zemens - 1955 Design
I did just what you described 14 months ago. But I was able to retire with a pension as part of the process. That sure made it easier. Much easier.
I don’t think I would have had the nerve without the backup pension. I count my blessings in that regard.
Jan 13th, 2008
Skellie
@ Mark: Thank you for *being* my first guest poster. This weekend has been hectic and you’ve helped me out no end. I do hope you find some new readers from this — you deserve it :-).
Jan 13th, 2008
Al
You’ve certainly found one new reader from this.
I’ve been extracting myself from the office more slowly. Doing temp work to keep me solvent while I was building more interesting things.
At the moment I’m considering heading off for other shores (being in the EU certainly makes that easier). Everyone around me has always been amazingly supportive, so I’ve never had a problem with number 8. I’ve had much bigger problems with my own negativity and doubt.
So, how do you overcome that?
Jan 13th, 2008
michael brito
i use to get that feeling. sometimes while walking to work i would pray (maybe not the right word because i’m not religious) for a car to hit me so that i would have an excuse to not show up.
the day i was fired was a total weight off my back. most people dread at the thought of losing their job. not me, it forced me to get creative and learn to make a living without the backing of a company.
maybe by next year this time i’ll be commenting from mexico, after i finish surfing.
PEACE!
Jan 13th, 2008
Boring Market
Mark: You have a great team of probloggers around you to set you up for success, not just to direct traffic…but to direct loyal readers.
SKELLIE: You get more and more popular by the day and for good reason! Your content just gets better and better, it goes to show the more time you put into blogging the better you get. You’re a great example for me.
Jan 13th, 2008
Mark
Hi Al - you said that you have an issue with “with my own negativity and doubt” and I have two suggestions for you:
1. Visualize yourself changing your current situation, and actually leaving (if that is what you want to do). I noticed that you run a site about ukuleles. Do you want to move to Hawaii? I have spent a LOT of time there and would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
2. I always try to let negativity and doubt (FEAR) motivate me. Although, I am a bit stubborn so if someone tells me that I can’t do something (including myself) I will always try to prove them wrong
I have an interview coming up on my site, not this Tuesday but the next, with Scott Rigsby. He is the first double amputee to ever complete the Hawaii IronMan Triathlon. If you need any more inspiration, this guy is a tremendous human being! Talk about overcoming negativity and doubt.
Jan 13th, 2008
Mark
Hi Boring Market - thanks for the observation!
As Skellie knows, I have a few online humanitarian projects that I would like to get off the ground so I am currently working on the loyal reader base, which will hopefully lend support and credence to what I hope to do in the very near future.
Jan 13th, 2008
Cory
Skellie,
I’ve been following your stuff over at Problogger for a while. I’m excited about this new blog. I am planning on being able to work from home by the end of this year. Things are going well, but I am always interested in more advice. I’ll be checking back regularly.
Things I’m excited to see:
Always looking for ways to find more readers for my blog.
Ways to find more customers for my creative consulting biz.
Speaking opportunities.
Good luck!
Jan 13th, 2008
Al
Thanks for the advice, Mark. Hawaii is one place I’d definitely like to live in the future. But, at the moment, I’m really interested in checking out Eastern and Southern Europe. Perhaps I should start a balalaika blog.
Jan 13th, 2008
Arik Jones
I think everyone knows this, but its really important to have a nest egg put away before leaving your current gig (be it freelance or employed). Cause if either of them tank the first couple months, you’ll want something to fall back on.
Jan 13th, 2008
Stephen Tiesman
This post got me out of my “going to work tomorrow” slump. I have been bouncing around a thousand ideas in my head on how to escape the common work day. So far I have been inspired by both this blog and your blog Mark. Great stuff guys, keep it up I need the mental juice boost now and then.
Jan 13th, 2008
Terence Chang - The Internet Entrepreneur Diary
Mark:
Good to see you getting your name everywhere. I bet you have had a lot of freedom these days. I am glad to see you making big progress in the blogging world.
It’s always good inspiration from what you are doing.
Keep it up!
Jan 14th, 2008
Mark
Hi michael brito - I am glad the car never got you
and I know what you mean about getting fired. Let us know when you are in Mexico so we can all come surfing (the waves have been terrible here for the past month!).
Hi Arik - YES the nest egg, do not forget the nest egg! It should go together with the line about burning bridges.
Jan 14th, 2008
Nathan Ketsdever
Great post! I believe Google, Linked in, and your mobile would be your best friends.
Keep up the great work!
Jan 14th, 2008
Kim Kinrade
Your blog will be the first thing I see in the morning . . .whenever my morning comes!
Cheers,
Kim
Jan 14th, 2008
Lidija Davis
As always, great post Mark!
I think number eight is a huge factor.
Oftentimes, the biggest killjoy’s tend to be the people around the innovator. The closer the relationship, the more determined they seem to be in attempting to convince you of the “bad choice” you are making.
I don’t think it is so much they expect you to fail, it is more they are concerned that you might, and because of their love for you, they don’t want to see you hurt.
In life there are two types of people: those happy to take risks, and those that avoid them at all cost.
If your family or close friends are avoiders, it might be wise to keep your ideas private, at least initially, until you have a game plan that you can confidently describe, and answers to all the questions that you know will ultimately come.
During that time, for support (and you will need support), turn to like minded folk for your “You can do it!” boost.
Jan 16th, 2008
Greg Williams
Re: Point 6: making sure you have a relevant working visa…
As someone who intends to simultaneously work and travel (forever, if possible, starting in January 2009), I’ve thought about this point before.
From a legal perspective, if you intend to work somewhere then, yeah, you’re obligated to tell immigration control as you enter the country, but is that what you’re really doing in their country?
The idea of having no fixed country of employment has not really been properly considered before. Is your country of employment where your clients are? Is it where your bank accounts are based?
If you’re in Japan, but all of your clients are in the UK, and they’re paying you into a PayPal account connected to an Australian bank account (which might be my scenario), WHERE exactly are you working from immigration control’s perspective?
Your work doesn’t affect the local marketplace, but you are injecting new money into the local economy.
Therefore, it should be acceptable to travel on a standard holiday visa. The only catch is that you need to remember to leave the country for 24 hours every 3 months (or however long a holiday visa lasts for your destination).
Jan 19th, 2008
Sean Hodge
Knowing someone in another country can be very helpful as well. My wife is from Venezuela. Her family has been very helpful in our move from Connecticut down to the coast here.
Great list Mark. I’m glad I made the jump, but doing some of those things you mentioned first would have made things alot smoother.
If you work online and get paid in Dollars moving somewhere with a favorible exchange rate can make a big difference in your standard of living where you move to.
Jan 19th, 2008
Mark McClure
Re #1:
The perspectives (and aspirations) of others close to you will definitely influence your decisions, especially the financial planning ones! And yes, children (and their education) are high up the list.
Re #10:
I agree with this advice and echo the comments of Mike Goad. Well before you resign, work on adopting the mindset that your ex-bosses might one day (in some as yet unknown way) become your client (lol!) or at least an advocate. As well as being mildly amusing to contemplate, it also makes it easier to release any resentment you might feel for their work related behaviours.
regards
mark mcclure
japan
Jan 27th, 2008
Jaden @ Screenwriting for Hollywood
That cubicle sickness nearly killed me many times; it was awful.
I live the dream writer-traveler life. Running wild isn’t for everyone. It is very insecure and if you have a family, you really need to have a lot of money saved and solid paying clients before taking the jump. Freelance can be really scary at times when the funds run out, but on the day to day, I feel 100% happier and more alive than when I am in a gray cubicle smaller than a jail cell.
Great advice. Well briefed.
Feb 27th, 2008
gill@freelancecopywriting.biz
Brilliant article, and great to see so many others out there like me! I thought I was the only one . . .
I’ve been freelancing for five years. First as a marketing contractor, which was great but very much something you had to be ‘around’ for, and now more recently as a freelance copywriter. Something I’ve always done as part of the marketing service, but have now decided to focus on.
I live in the UK and worked in the corporate rat-race until 2002 when it suddenly dawned on me one day (at the age of 35 and in a moment of clarity) that quality of life was more important than career progression.
I promptly swapped my company Merc for a dodgy old Vauxhall Vectra diesel (just to be going on with!) and have never looked back. My proudest ‘remote working’ experience to date was sitting in a camper van just outside Alice Springs, after an evening round a campfire with other travellers, writing copy for a brochure on Business Intelligence software. I was able to write it and email it back to the client, all during their business day, without them ever realising I was not in the office. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Currently tied to the UK due to mortgage, 13 year old son, 12 year old daughter and partner with a day job, but our longer term plan is to travel and write (he writes too) in five years time when the kids have upped and left us! In the meantime we do as much travelling as possible.
Will definitely subscribe to your feed Mark, and give me shout if you’d like another guest article writer!
Cheers,
Gill
Mar 5th, 2008
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