Work Where You Want This Summer (Even a Brewpub 🍺) (Issue 139)
Don't get stuck inside a stuffy office all day
Pro tip: Now that summer is here, it’s nice to work outside and in different locations instead of being locked up in an office all day. At the very least, take frequent breaks and go for a walk outside to clear your head. Sitting in a chair all day long isn’t good for you!
I initially overlooked this perk when I started my solopreneur business. Now, I lean into it, and I love working all over the place! For example:
My front deck
A local coffee shop
An outdoor patio
A local brewpub
A ski resort
Next to Lake Tahoe
Up in the mountains
Visiting my kids’ homes
Some advice
As ubiquitous as Wi-Fi is these days, there are many times I’ve struggled to find a good internet connection. I occasionally tether my laptop to my phone, but sometimes I’m working in areas where there is no cell connection at all (e.g., in a remote forest).
So, use apps on your phone or laptop that can save data locally and sync with the cloud later. That’s why I love writing in the Ulysses app. It works across my iPhone and laptop, saves data locally, and syncs to the cloud seamlessly.
It’s a good idea to use a VPN service when accessing unfamiliar Wi-Fi sources. I use Proton VPN, but there are many other good VPN services available.
I kind of like the buzz of a coffee shop and people’s quiet conversations. However, occasionally, a loud person will show up and make it impossible to focus. They take a phone call inside and, for some reason, must shout to be heard. Or, someone will play YouTube or TikTok videos on their phone with the sound blasting over the speaker. Drives me crazy!
So, noise-canceling earbuds or headphones are a must if you end up working in a noisy cafe or pub. I have a pair of Bose QuietComfort headphones that are pretty sweet (great for flights, too). I also have the AirPods Pro 2 earbuds. The new noise-cancelling tech in those is amazing!
Additionally, my newer laptop and phone have excellent battery lives, but they still don’t last a full day of intense work outside. So, taking a power bank with me (like the one in the photo below) helps a lot. If you get one that is solar-charged, it can stretch your device’s battery life when you’re out and about on a sunny day.
Enjoy your remote work summer!
Larry Cornett is an executive coach who works with ambitious professionals to help them reclaim their power, become invincible, and create new opportunities for their work and lives. Do more of what you love and less of what you hate! Check out his new Invincible Solopreneurs Daily Journal!