Getting Away?
At NuNomad we believe that the ability to travel while you’re working through the use of technology marks the beginning of a new era for many professionals. No longer are we tied not only to an office but not even necessarily to a geographic location. The possiblities for sustainable adventure are enormous.
However, as with all new freedoms come new challenges. One of these will be a developing a new concept of what it means to "get away". No matter how exotic the location you may pick, if you continue to be tied to your work are you really getting away? Getting away is not only physical but to a large degree mental and emotional.
I sit in the Hague and have had a wonderful day of sight seeing in Amsterdam with my children. In the evening, I check emails and look at my client schedule for the week. We speak with my husband via Skype and hear the news from home. I can email him the "to Do" list for the housesitters and correspond with my networking group substitute to be sure I am covered while away. In many ways, my mind remains in the states. Am I getting away? Yes and no. It’s a very strange mix.
If you choose to take on the lifestyle of a NuNomad, be sure to work in time where you really are "getting away" both mentally and emotionally as well as physically. Remember that to do this may require that you leave the electronics behind temporarily and let others know you are really on vacation! We will be doing this in the next couple of weeks. Our time in Southern France is my official vacation – away from email, phones, clients, and out of range from everything. It will be my first non-working vacation in over 6 years and I am ready!
In the meantime, check out the pictures from our journey to Amsterdam today. The girls have been reading about Anne Frank in preparation for the trip. How wonderful to be able to visit the home in person! Also today we enjoyed the Van Gogh Museum and a canal boat ride. Amsterdam has more than enough for every age and every taste. We had to pick and choose but we were pleased with our choices and lucky enough to avoid the very long lines.
