I am on a mission to show the world that living a Balanced Lifestyle is possible, but only if you try and put in the effort to make it work.
Enjoying the Sunset over Bali while Working Remotely
Over the course of the next 2 months I will be putting my Work-Life Balance to the test as I work remotely while traveling across South East Asia.
While many think I’m crazy trying to juggle a full-time job on the road, I find the challenge stimulating and a great learning experience.
I will admit, trying to fit your average 9-5 work day is not easy, but with extra effort and good wifi connection it can be done 
Below are key points I’ve learned while trying to live a balanced life working and traveling:
- Stay connected!
Having internet connection is essential to my job. While there is usually wifi in the locations I have traveled to, internet connection can be slow or inconsistant at times. During times like these my internet USB key has saved the day! Having an internet USB is a good back up to have if you would like to stay connected 24/7.
Connect to the internet with a portable Wifi-USB
- Rest.
I work on Pacific Standard Time (PST), but I’m currently traveling on APAC Time where the time difference can be anywhere from 13-15hrs difference depending on the country and location. Having to work with different time zones is difficult because it can ruin your sleeping pattern. While I’ve only been traveling for 15days the average amount of hours I sleep is 3-4hrs a night. It helps to take naps and rest in the middle of the day, to recharge batteries.
Resting while waiting for the Metro
- Capture the Moments.
The chance to balance work and travel, only happens once in a lifetime and I want to capture every moment of it! It’s good to take lots of pictures and videos to capture these moments where travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind! (Tip: upload pictures to your computer after each day so you have copies of photos backed up)
- Workout on the Road.
While working on the road it is important to get a daily dose of body movement in. Whether its a jog on the beach or swim in the pool, its good to get some type of exercise in.
Working out at Crossfit in HK
- Recap.
At the end of each day its good write down a recap of the things you did that day. I like to write a list of things that made my day, like foods, songs, places, & moments, so when I look back I can refer to my list and remember all the cool things that made that day unique.
Write a recap of your day.
Do you have any tips on How to Work and Travel While on the Road?
Happy Travels!
-Tightrope Traveler
Hi I’m Tina – a mid-20s International Marketing professional, Life Experimenter, & Traveler, in search of living a full-filled work/ life balance whilst trying to make my mark on the world!
Great post Tina! Love the fact that you’ve squeezed out a Crossfit workout in HK too – awesome
Thanks, Clare! Yes I have to get my Crossfit workouts in! Otherwise I’ll feel like a blob
I hope to check out some of the other crossfit communities in Thailand as well 
I just started CrossFit a couple weeks ago. It’s NO JOKE!
LOVE CrossFit! Almost as much as I LOVE Traveling! So that’s a lot
I’m terrible about working on the road. I do a fair amount of work first thing when I wake up and [assuming i haven't had too much to drink] before I go to sleep. everything in between those two points are pretty unreliable for me.
Haha! Jen!
Yes working on the road can be super tough! But the rewards in the long run I think are so worth it
We can do it!
Um yeah – you’re crazy! No way I could do this! But then again I am constantly working 2 full time jobs (my regular job and blog) for what seems like 24 hours a day. So I am not the best one to give advice on this!
Jeremy! I know! But I can’t imagine living life any other way, I always want to push myself in ways I never thought possible and in the process the learning curve and life experience is sooo worth every struggle!
Congrats and good luck! I don’t know how you will do it, but I know that with passion, one can accomplish a lot.
Aww Jade! So true!
Thanks so much for the great reminder!
These are great tips! (I have yet to work out while I’m traveling though, not counting all the walking.) LOL
Haha! Thanks Michael!
Good tips Tina! Getting some exercise and eating a lot of fruit is what I try to do to remain healthy while working and traveling at the same time!
We’ve been living and working on the road for a year and a half now, and it’s not always easy. We maintain our sanity by traveling really slowly – we never spend less than one week in a place, but we prefer at least a month. That way we can work just as much as we explore. If we only have a week, we usually spend 3 or 4 days working (with maybe a walk in the evening or something), and the other 3 or 4 days sightseeing.
Mostly I think it’s important to find a rhythm that works for you. Also, make sure you get a lot of downtime! We always watch an episode of Glee or Raising Hope before bed to relax.
Christy! Yes!
I wish I could travel slow! It would totally make a difference for me.
There are times I feel I’m traveling too fast and miss out on a lot of things and just stopping and taking in the moment I’m living. This is very important as well.
Great Tips! I would have to add:
1) Don’t sweat the small stuff. I have to let myself off the hook sometimes when I make mistakes or miss deadlines. I am my biggest critic and I have to remember not to be so hard on myself!
2) Remember why you’re working so hard. When I get to the end of my rope, I remind myself of the reasons that I work so hard. It started off as something that I thought would be fun and exciting! I have to leave room for fun, so that it doesn’t become all work! It always helps to feel rejuvenated.
Thanks!
Thanks Michaela for your great tips!
truly great tips…found your blog in tbex..
Nice to found your website, your travelling life is such inspiring