Getting Started.... Remotely

Before taking the plunge of working remotely you need to test if and how you can work from the idyllic spot you’ve chosen. Ironically, in the initial stages, much of this will have to be done remotely, i.e. from the place you’re leaving, as it’s not practical to keep hopping on a plane to test everything personally.  

Preparation, planning and research is key, so, I’ve created a Dos and Don’ts check list, (that I will add to over time) that will really help you in the early stages of your migration. Make sure you take note of these tips or an un-checked check list can quickly turn into a ‘cheque list’ of costs and wasted money.

My first set of tips below are designed to get YOU in the right mindset. You are leaving a culture and way of life so engrained that what you do in everyday life, from paying bills to renting/buying property, paying for shopping to opening a bank account, has become second nature. It won’t be like that where you’re going. Expect things to be different, after all that’s half the fun of it. See it as an adventure, albeit one that needs thorough planning, as no two countries are the same. Oh, and by the way, it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been there on holiday, living there is simply not the same as a two week jolly for fun and a suntan!

Do consider technology as this is the ‘Great Enabler’ and you won’t get far without it – check out reliability of Internet services, bandwidth, download capacities etc, for work, but also for entertainment such as streaming TV and movies. It isn’t always wise to go for the cheapest option as the old adage that you get what you pay for applies – if you pay practically nothing, you can expect practically nothing! Reliability is key for critical business continuation.... and not missing the soaps or the sports after work either.

Don’t expect things to be like they are at home – They won’t be, and THAT is one of the reasons you’re leaving.  Depending on local culture and expectations, service delivery and customer requirements are often measured differently and what you require from a work space/home/Internet provider etc, may be very far removed from what you might end up with if you don’t research all the options. Create a check list for you to test next time you’re there, make sure you go through every process and need in great detail and ensure each question is answered. Have plan B (and C and even D) fully prepared and ready to roll for testing too. Be patient, this is important research and quality research takes time.

Do be prepared for your expectations to not always be reached – leaving a heaving, throbbing modern (smelly, stressful, crowded) metropolis like London and going to some out of the way speck of land in the Med, Caribbean or African plane means that things are going to be different. Slow yourself down, work patiently around local customs and grin and bear it, no matter how annoying it seems at first. Try my ‘this is quaint, this is quaint, this is quaint’ mantra and repeat in your head until it becomes a soothing chant! Never forget that this slower pace of life is the reason you’re going there in the first place and that the meteoric speeds and efficiency of the metropolis comes with a liberal dose of stress and anxiety. Chill out, switch down a couple of gears and coast in the slow lane of life.

Don’t leave anything to chance – this requires an entirely new approach of playing devil’s advocate with everything from builders to letting agents and bank staff to accountants. Moving abroad is not just a massive step to take away from your career path, family and friends, it also costs a great deal of money. Annoying someone to teeth-grinding proportions with endless questions just cannot be your concern, so grow a super-thick skin around causing others annoyance.  I found my practise of asking about all the things that can go wrong and not saying ‘can you do that’ but  ‘how many times have you done before’ quickly followed by a ‘show me an example,’ made for a more peaceful night’s sleep.  It’s all a learning process and you’re on the fast track, wise up. Fast!