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** This is a post by Sarah Winfrey, Find out more about Sarah below **
As I talk to more and more people about my impending move into a location independent profession, I find that the responses I get fall into one of three categories…
- Some people are skeptical. They want to know why I would consider giving up the security and stability of the 9-5, especially with a baby on the way.
- Then, there are the ones who are so excited and ask so many questions that I finally realize they want to be location independent and they’re finding out what that means (or achieving it vicariously!) through me.
- Finally, there are those whose response goes something like this, “Well, I suppose that’s good for you. With your husband thinking about the military, you should probably pursue something that enables you to be able to move a lot and you love to travel.”
These last ones are the responses that make the least sense to me. It’s not that they’re wrong – in fact, the reasons they list are the ones that made me pursue location independence in the first place – but as I’ve begun to taste bits and pieces of the location independent lifestyle, I’ve realized something…
I would want to be a location independent professional even if I never leave this city again.
Though my ultimate goal, like that of many location independent professionals, is to experience life in other places, it’s important to remember that I’m reaping benefits even when the traveling goal isn’t yet a reality. These benefits include:
Flexibility
I love the flexibility that being location independent offers. Not only is there the much-lauded flexibility of schedule, but being location independent truly means just that: I can work anywhere I choose. That’s important, whether “anywhere” means Laos or Bangkok or Cusco, or the cafe down the street.
I love knowing that I can take my work with me wherever I go. I can work at home, in the coffee shop, at an airport, or even in a hospital. This means that I can visit my sister in the hospital and still get my work done. And I can take a break, get outside, and still get my work done.
As my family grows, I anticipate appreciating the flexibility of my location independent lifestyle even more, whether I’m on a Navy base in Japan or waking up in the same house every day for the rest of my life. When I can work on the go, I can be there for field trips and class parties and boo-boos in the nurse’s office. Who wouldn’t want that?
Stability
Much to the surprise of many, one of the things I most appreciate about location independence that has nothing to do with traveling, is its stability.
I’ve seen a few jaws drop when I mention this one. “Stability? Really? Don’t you sort of just fly by the seat of your pants?”
Not so much. In fact, right now my location independent business is more stable than my day job. I have the clients I need, the ability to find more and I set my own rates so I know how much I’m bringing in every month. With budget cuts, staffing cutbacks and other unpredictable reactions to an uncertain financial climate all going on in the day job world, working as a location independent professional is, in contrast, remarkably stable.
My work flow is also more stable in my location independent business. At the day job, the work I have to do is determined by how much others get done, what they need, and can be changed at the whim of several different people. In my location independent business, I regulate deadlines myself so I don’t have be inundated unless I choose to be. And I wouldn’t give up that choice, even if I never set foot on another airplane.
Independence
This overlaps with stability, but deserves its own discussion. I love the “independent” part of being location independent. Not only does my business not depend on being anywhere in particular, but it doesn’t depend on a lot of other things too.
While I have to have clients, there’s not one who is essential and I know I can find more if I need them. I need the internet but technology makes that easy to access, as long as I’m willing to pay. In fact, as long as I have myself and a computer (note, not even MY computer), my business can function.
This sets me free from a lot of what usually ties people down. I need less money, less space, even less time than most people do in order to get done what needs to be done.
If I choose to keep someone or something around, even to make myself dependent on it, it’s my choice. These things aren’t thrust upon me, and that’s the way I want to keep it.
So why be location independent even if you’re not going to leave home? Well, why not?
Right now I stay put because I also have a 9-5-er. Ultimately, when my husband and I are able to retire from our day jobs, we will be travelling. And by then, I will have an established business that can easily travel with me.
However, I do travel within my house …. if that counts :-) I work off of my laptop. Right now, I’m in the kitchen surrounded by the smell of freshly roasted coffee. Last night, I was in the living room curled up in front of the fire. Nice weather finds me outside on our beautiful patio.
If the freedom of being able to choose my location in my own house is any indication of how much fun this can be, I am REALLY looking forward to working while I travel.
I totally agree with you. Although I don’t often explain my reasons for doing what I do to the average person (unless they ask for details), for me taking this path is the most rational thing I can do.
Anyone relying on a ’stable’ job, a pension or someone else investing for your future is taking the big risk IMO.
For me it’s not so much about travelling as being able to do what I want when I want to. For me it just made financial sense to start this transition in a ‘cheap’ country like Thailand.
Really good point. A lot of people seem to assume that being location independent means that you have to be jet setting all your life, when in reality it just means you have the flexibility to do so if you choose to (and at a moment’s notice).
I could go back to the US at any time and settle for any amount of time, but if I ever do, I’ll definitely make sure I can leave for Thailand or Iceland or any other land I choose if and when I want to.
Exactly! In some ways location independence is about the possibility of moving around, even if you spend much of your time in the same place.
Here here!! Having traveled a lot already, I am now based in the UK. If I were to contemplate stepping back into the 9-5 world – I would have no option but to flee again!!
The idea of have the flexibility, independence and stability of my own business – is the only thing that enables me to contemplate staying here for longer….
Nice post – and I’m right there with you…..
You’ve hit the nail on the head, Sarah. The flexibility IS your stability!
Thanks for your input, everyone . . . I’m enjoying your comments. It seems pretty clear that being location independent isn’t about being location independent (or isn’t just about that, anyway). I know it’s important for me to remember that, so when I’m grounded (so to speak), I still know why I do what I do.
Excellent post. I have never thought of it in such a way.