Working Whilst Traveling and Traveling Whilst Working

Thursday, 12 November, 2009

'm currently just over the halfway mark for a sizeable sixteen month off living and traveling in East Asia. Whilst it would be grand to say that the whole time, I'm on the road seeing and experiencing amazing things, I'm actually spending more time living in Hong Kong working from home. Not that living in Hong Kong is that bad!

In fact, I wouldn't have it any other way since even taking a couple of weeks out every other month to visit another East Asian country takes it toll. The fact that I'm staying out in the peaceful New Territories countryside is a godsend, if a little inconvenient, amenities-wise, in comparison to the pollution and bustle of the city.

Though this period coincides with the economic downturn, it wasn't planned but I still managed to make the transition work-wise, as well as location-wise. Year off? Not likely. I have my own websites to run, two businesses and client requests to look after.

Working Whilst Traveling

Needless to say, I'm working whilst traveling and traveling whilst working. I've just written a post on Filoflow about making a salary online and its made me think about the future personally. To manage a balance of work and travel, though not lucrative, still maintains a standard of living that is very liberating.

True, I come from a background of running a small design business and after over more than a decade, it's possible to build a roster of repeat business. And I can maintain this whilst traveling with just my laptop for equipment.

However, in my Filoflow post, the point I make is to explore opportunities online to create multiple income streams that are realistically going to be micro, but that collectively could become worthwhile. This is what I do.

Exploring Opportunities Online

My online income materialises through the various blogs that I run and though I spend time maintaining them, the time is flexible, easily fitting around more intense traveling time. Client work is more sizable, but it's possible to fit these in less intense times.

There are restrictions of course. There is only so much that can be done abroad when I've met and worked with clients in the same city and then suddenly find myself halfway around the world.

Having said that, my intention was never to travel indefinitely and working whilst traveling keeps things ticking over until I return to London. The flexibility of working online and online income is undoubtedly cool, however.

I'm not the only one. There are plenty of freelancers both in my industry and others, and the right opportunities are plentiful, though may need to be sought out. But with the onward progression of technology, irrespective of the economy, the army of online and remote workers looks like it's here to stay and possibly grow.

And I believe the news is good all round. Workable multiple income streams keeps people like me in our *state*, allowing us to continue providing services to clients who are satisfied.

But I don't think that this scenario is just restricted to people who are already doing it. If you're stuck in a rut and you haven't already done so, it might be worth looking online for more than just fun.

Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische

This entry posted in : Living in Hong Kong. Observations. Travel.

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British Chinese, Digital Design Consultant. Web Geek, Technologist, Blogger and Careful Entrepreneur. Budding Photo Journalist.

Professional experience spans over 10 years creating digital design projects for both small and large clients (and myself).

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