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Being Adventurous Entrepreneur: Working from Remote Places in Spain
Entrepreneur
Some time ago, I found myself stuck in the hamster wheel, working around the clock on my business, unable to visit the remote places I had always dreamed of. It wasn’t just about not having vacations anymore; I always wanted to go to faraway places where working would be impossible due to the lack of Internet connection, among other reasons.
Today, I would like to share a fascinating experience: how I managed to make my dream come true and travel to remote places in Spain while managing my business. Although it may seem somewhat impossible, with the right technology and a focused mindset, everything is possible!
First of all, let’s start from the beginning… preparation is everything.
Content
Preparing for the Adventure
Indispensable work tools
The first thing I did before embarking on the adventure was to ensure I had the right tools to take my business with me. My major concern was that in the middle of nowhere, I wouldn’t have an Internet connection. Therefore, I started by conducting extensive research on different Internet providers for working from remote places.
On the other hand, I already had a good laptop, but I also invested in a tablet just in case. It occurred to me that if something happened to my laptop, I needed a backup plan, and preferably, it should be lightweight.
Means of transportation
The next step was to plan the trip, at least to try, because I’m one of those who changes their mind and stays in a cool place longer than planned. I wanted to allow myself flexibility, so if I liked a place, I could stay.
So, I booked only a few accommodations where I knew that if I didn’t do it in advance, there would be no available spots or what was left would be very expensive. And for the rest of the days, I rented a motorhome.
I spent part of the trip in Bilbao and another part in the province of Málaga. So, in the end, I rented a motorhome twice and spent a couple of nights in hostels (I’m talking about a month-long trip). I don’t enjoy sharing rooms; I prefer to rest in a room just for me, even if it costs a bit more.
From Bilbao to Málaga, my journey
Work productivity
When traveling, it’s easy to get carried away by the beauty of nature and stray from the idea of work. So my next task before starting my adventure was to adopt a more organized approach to stay productive while traveling.
I made a list of daily and weekly tasks. I also had goals I tried to keep realistic, even on the lower side, but with the idea of always covering the basic functioning of my business.
Obviously, if I had to work, I didn’t go out for a walk despite the beautiful landscape around me. Also, since my trip was in the summer months, I took advantage of the hot hours to take refuge with the motorhome’s air conditioning while I worked. When the heat subsided, I could go for a walk to explore.
This way, I could balance my time between work and leisure. I think the key here is that I didn’t take days off on weekends. I worked at a steady pace every day, though for fewer hours. In the end, it all comes down to balancing rest, enjoying the surroundings, and working to avoid feeling overwhelmed and dwelling on unresolved problems.
Adapting to the environment
Once on the move, I realized I had to adapt to the environment. Working in the middle of nowhere can be a wonderful experience, but it also comes with unexpected challenges. From Internet signal fluctuations to adverse weather conditions, I had to be prepared for any change.
To ensure my business wouldn’t have problems if, for some reason, I lost Internet access (which didn’t happen), on critical days, I designed my trip to pass near coworking spaces and cafes with Wi-Fi. This way, if I lost Internet access, I could ensure everything was sorted out at crucial moments.
Additionally, in coworking spaces, I met other entrepreneurs, both travelers like me and locals. Sharing my experiences with other entrepreneurs and adventurers like me was enriching. In fact, I secured a collaboration that is helping me grow and offer more work to my collaborators. It’s a win-win, and if you haven’t tried it, I recommend it.
Maintaining balance and inspiration
Despite the challenges, working from the middle of nowhere allowed me to discover a new level of balance and connection with nature. Instead of considering the natural beauty a distraction, I incorporated it into my daily routine. I took breaks to walk and breathe fresh air in the Montes de Málaga or on the beaches around Bilbao. All of this helped me keep my creativity and inspiration at optimal levels.
Combining the vastness of nature and the virtual work environment gave me a new focus on my business. I learned to appreciate simplicity and avoid information overload. When in the office, I often got distracted looking for any information; in this environment, with the desire to go out and enjoy it, I somehow focused only on the essentials.
I was much more focused and seemed to make decisions more easily. Everything seemed clearer. I took advantage of every moment to enjoy the work process on a deeper level, as described by the author of “Deep Work” in his book… that’s more or less how I felt, too.
Nerja, Málaga
Discovering the beauty of Spain and its impact on my business
During my adventure, I could discover some of the most incredible places in Spain. From picturesque rural villages to majestic mountains and dreamlike coasts, each place left a lasting impression on me. These experiences not only enriched my personal life but also had a significant impact on my business.
Gaztelugatxe, Basque Country (Spain)
I am a photographer and also write for some foreign travel magazines. By immersing myself in the local culture and traditions, I could convey to readers in other countries what it feels like to be at the Balcón de Europa in Nerja, or the lightness you feel with the sea breeze at Gaztelugatxe, in Bilbao.
It’s true that my business closely revolves around experiencing and traveling, but I’m confident that many others can take such trips while operating their business from remote locations, just as I did.
My recommendations for working from remote places
My adventure of working from remote places in Spain has been an unforgettable and transformative experience. I want to say that although my job is as a photographer and I write about travel, I rarely travel like this or for such a long time.
In fact, I hadn’t done it until now out of fear of not being able to manage my business because of a lack of Internet connection or discomfort. I believed this type of travel was for younger people, free-spirited individuals, digital nomads, or hippies, whatever they might be, but not for me. The stability I was used to in my quiet apartment, with stable Internet, with noisy neighbors I knew, was a routine I didn’t want to lose out of fear of the unknown.
By mapping out my dream trip, adapting to the environment, allowing myself flexibility between work and enjoyment, I could enjoy the freedom of traveling while my business continued to operate as usual. The connection with nature is unique and not only recharged my “batteries” but also opened a door I no longer want to close. The door that connects everyday work and routine with the incredible, wild, and free spirit we all have inside.
I’m eager to cross that door again and explore other incredible places like the Canary Islands or Menorca in September.
If you have a passion for your business and a desire to explore new horizons, I encourage you to follow your dreams and chart your own work trip within Spain. With today’s technology and an entrepreneurial mindset, the world can become your office. Don’t let the challenges and fears you may face along the way stop you. Every obstacle will be an opportunity to grow and strengthen yourself as an entrepreneur and human being.
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