Undoubtedly, one of the biggest perks of being a marketing girly is the benefit of working remotely from anywhere in the world.

Hi, I’m Shainah and I have just finished 6 months backpacking across Southeast Asia whilst working remotely for FB Comms.

This was both the most rewarding and challenging period of my career so far.

If you’re considering remote work and travel you need to be prepared for the highs and the lows – and I’m here to help you get ahead of the things that could go wrong.

Here are my top survival tips:

→ Buy a sim with unlimited internet.

You’ll thank yourself in the long run when you’re sat in your room or on a 12-hour coach hot-spotting yourself. Plus, the SIM cards outdo ANY Wi-Fi.

→ Take a good quality portable charger.

Mine is BioLite and it has saved my life on numerous occasions. It charges my phone and laptop, making work and long transport possible.

→ Choose your workspace carefully.

I need aircon and quiet to focus, you’re not going to get that in a bar.

Treat yourself to a nice room or find a coworking space, there are plenty dotted around, and you’ll get so much more done.

→ Remember, you are NOT on holiday.

It’s super easy to get caught up in other people’s plans. You have deadlines to meet and people depending on you, stay disciplined.

→ Establish a routine.

Without a routine, you will fall at the first hurdle. Have some set working days or hours so you keep some normality, it will stop you from getting overwhelmed or falling behind.

→ Don’t bank on ‘I’ll do it later’.

You have no idea what later will bring. Maybe you’ve met a new group of people, or maybe there’s been a power cut. If you have the opportunity, do it straight away.

It is a HUGE privilege to explore the world and work but it is easier said than done.

Wrap your head around the challenges and how you’ll overcome them. It takes planning, discipline and focus but it’s worth every second. 

Shainah x