Being able to work from anywhere gives you a freedom like no other. You are able to design your own schedule, make up your own rules and essentially be your own boss.
And times are changing, remote work is no longer just for the self-employed. More and more people are now able to choose to work from anywhere even within their companies.
According to Silicon Republic, by 2025 the number of remote workers will rival fixed office locations! There’s never been a better time to be a freelancer either. 56% of startups worldwide have outsourced their work to freelancers.
If you dream of a career where you work from anywhere – imagine a tropical beach in Latin America. Then now is the time to go for it! (Although beach working really isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. . . way too much sand.)
Can Anyone Work Online?
Anyone can make a living working online. If I can, you can.
There are so many different routes to go down nowadays, you could find a remote job working for a company, become a freelancer or set up your own online business.
If you’re interested in finding out more about freelancing online, check out my guide here on how to be successful on Upwork.
Or if blogging is more your style, check out my guide on how to start a blog here.
THE TOP 5 TOOLS YOU NEED TO WORK FROM ANYWHERE
Whatever path you choose to go explore, you’re going to need the right setup and tool-kit!
To help you out, here are the top five essential tools you will need to be able to work from anywhere be it a home office situation or a dorm bed in a hostel.
1 Laptop
This seems like a no-brainer but bear with me, there is a bit more to consider then just running out and buying the fist laptop you see.
People get caught up in wanting the most expensive laptops like a MacBook. Is this necessary though? I don’t buy into this. Personally, I use this refurbished laptop and it suits me fine.
If you’re wanting to be a software developer or graphic designer then, in this case, you will want to do your research and choose a laptop that can keep up with your work. Spending the extra money now will be worth it in the long run.
Do your research and purchase an appropriate laptop for your needs.
2 Routine
Back in 2016, when I first started freelancing online, I used to revel in the fact that I wasn’t a slave to a routine.
The novelty of being able to wake up late and work whenever I wanted from wherever I wanted was delicious!
However, after a couple of months, the novelty wore off. I quickly learnt that if I wanted to be a successful freelancer then I needed to learn time management!
Master time management and you will master life! At the start of the week, I plan the days out to make sure I get everything done.
I love the satisfaction that comes from sticking to my routine and getting everything done.
Check out this fab free resource on how to design your own personal routine that suits you.
3 Task Management Tools
As a freelancer, I work with various different clients across different time zones!
The one thing they all use to keep up to date with their outsourced work?
Task management tools.
If you’re planning on being able to work from anywhere then do yourself a favour and start using these tools from the beginning. You will need a system to keep track of your tasks and bookkeeping.
Otherwise, you will find yourself getting overwhelmed and lost very quickly!
In 3 years, I’ve got to grip with Trello, Slack, Asana, Github amongst others.
But my favourite definitely has to be Monday. Monday is an organizational tool for ongoing projects.
Although, there is something to be said about writing things down with a pen and paper. I do love a good planner to help keep my mind clear and organised.
4 Google Drive
After a few too many horrible incidents of not saving my work in time.
Imagine laptops running out of the battery at the worst possible moments…
I finally made the permanent shift over to Google Drive and haven’t looked back.
Not having to constantly remember to press ‘Save’ every ten minutes have been a literal lifesaver! What’s more, Google Drive makes sharing work with your clients so much easier.
You are able to collaborate with clients without sending a million emails with the attached documents. Make the change today if you haven’t already, and start using Google Drive, now!
5 Personal Website
With the way things are going, paper resumes and printed CVs will soon be a thing of the past. There has never been more need for everyone to focus on their personal brand and have a small, personal website.
RELATED: How To Start A Blog Today
A site offering your services and displaying your work in an online portfolio.
For freelancers wanting to work from anywhere, it is even more important. Your website is your most important tool in presenting your services.
Building a website doesn’t have to be scary.
The main point is for the website to be clean looking and functional, displaying your business or services in a professional manner.
There you have it! My top five tools needed for you to build a successful career to be able to work from anywhere…What other tools would you recommend to be added to the list?
