Building the Remote Life

Well, it makes me beyond happy when I receive messages letting me know that they love my blog and when will my next post be.  I apologize there has been some time lapsed from my introductory post but building the life…the remote life…has taken my attention away from my blog.  I didn’t think that I would struggle to find a balance but it is something that I am working on everyday.

I am happy to announce that Matt and I have landed a sweet remote contract within our hometown Kitchener-Waterloo.  We are happy to say that we are both consultants for the pilot program called DISC.  DISC stands for Digital Innovation Skills Certificate.  It is a new graduate diploma program to help small to medium businesses in the area bridge the digital media gap.  Students will go through the program and then be able to get placements with local businesses to get their digital media started or enhanced.

We (Matt & I) get to consult the business owners and students throughout the program.  Its been awesome!! Our first remote role!! We work from here, Panama City Beach, and have Skype meetings, and teleconference calls to discuss the projects we are working on.  We have flexibility to start our day at any time and finish at anytime.

What I am recognizing is that working remotely I get a lot more done in a shorter amount of time.  I am not at a desk for 40hrs.  I don’t have distractions taking my attention away from what I am working on and everyone involved respects each other time.  We schedule time to talk and keep to a reasonable time when we have our meetings.  The support has been nothing short of amazing!!

The downside of the remote life so far has been the internet.  One would think that in 2017 WiFi would be plentiful, strong and always there when you need it.  This hasn’t been the case.  It has been a daily pain in our ass.  Although today, we are those people at Starbucks…on laptops! LOL!  Love it!!

I am also a squirrel.  So, I have to work hard on keeping my focus on the task at hand and not stare at people, the TV, play with our dog – Brady, go and take a gander at what is going on outside or let the fridge distract me.  When I was working from an office  I was in an office and people would ask if I would leave.  Not the case now.  I leave and I could be gone for hours.  But then I also think of that as a plus too.  If I need to step away I am able to that at my own leisure, clear my head and then return to what I am working on.  It is a balancing act for sure.

Four months ago, we took this leap of faith.  Don’t get me wrong…I was scared.  We were scared.  I think people were scared for us…but looking back, it has been one of the best decisions that we have ever made.  I can’t imagine ever going back to a desk and working 8am – 5pm.  As a business owner those hours didn’t even matter…we worked early mornings or late into the evening.

I am doing what makes me happy.  Every. Single. Day.

Well, we are going to head off to lunch.  Going to try Five Guys.  I’ve only heard of awesome things about this place.  Across the way Target has been calling my name too.

Until next time, make sure you are living your happiest life possible.  Whatever it may be – be HAPPY.

Make sure to follow my blog and soon I will be launching my own Facebook page – The Remote Life.  Here, I will share travel pics, other bloggers that I follow as well as remote life tips.

xoxo