There's something to be said for being able to work from anywhere, anytime. It's one thing to work from the chaise lounge, the back deck, or even the local cafe... but hopping on a plane to spend a few days in another country is simply awesome.
Fortunately I am not at all prone to jet lag. In fact, I think I enjoy the actual trip almost as much as the destination. I find the take-off to be absolutely exhilarating, and the entire trip to be one big fun adventure.
This is what 'the dream' is all about. Forget business in a box. I have a business in a bag - one with a handy shoulder strap, that I can easily carry anywhere I please...
This trip was a true vacation for me, though - not a "working vacation" like usual. While it was a relatively short trip (to Australia and back in just under a week), I made the most of it. I spent the majority of my time reading, watching birds, enjoying the sunrise and ocean view, and hanging out with friends...
Outsourcing came in handy. I felt good knowing that things were still getting done while I was taking a much-needed break. As you noticed, Paul Short was working on my new blog theme and some cool plugins here at ClickNewz while I was away.
By the 4th day of my trip I was starting to feel rested, motivated and re-focused. I even came in from the sunshine to send off a quick email to outsource a task that came to mind. I could have spent the afternoon jotting down notes and putting things into motion myself, but 5 minutes firing up the laptop and shooting off an email kept my afternoon easy and my mind cleared.
While in Australia I met up with Rob Anderson and Kathy Baker for a long lunch. Kathy is one of the partners behind Expert List Building, a product I am currently reviewing that will be available soon. And of course you know Rob, founder of Cagora.com which is currently in pre-launch.
The photo was taken by Paul Young, on an iPhone.
Rob and Paul have sold me on getting an iPhone myself. Mainly so I can locate sushi bars within range no matter where I am (haha), send fun twitpics on my travels ... and be part of the cool iPhone club 😛
On a more serious note, I can see that it will be a very valuable tool for some of my upcoming projects. Rumor has it there may be a new iPhone model in June 2009, so I think I'll wait the few short months.
Before I left on my trip, I mentioned (on Twitter) using GoToMyPC. I set that up just in case I wanted to access my work computer in the home office, since I only took my laptop for basic internet use.
I was glad I did, because when I checked in I noticed I had an email from Brent Hodgsen of Market Samurai. I first met Brent in Orlando when he was over for Ed Dale's OTE2 event, and then again at the Melbourne meet-up on my last trip to Australia.
Brent heard that I was in Australia and invited me to join the Market Samurai crew for dinner, which I did on Thursday night. They (Brent, Ben & Eugene) treated me to an incredible dinner in Canterbury where we shared ideas, talked marketing and also just shot the breeze and had a few laughs.
I've been using Market Samurai a bit behind the scenes, getting familiar with it, so I'll share more with you about their software in an upcoming post. Keep an eye out for that because it's a very cool product. 😉
On the way home from Australia I was feeling particularly inspired, and looking forward to diving back into my current projects. It was a beautiful day when I boarded my first flight in Melbourne, and I had a complete blog post written before the plane ever took off.
On that short 58 minute flight to Sydney I went over the talking points for two interviews scheduled for Monday and also wrote my talking points for Willie Crawford's Birthday Bash & Seminar. I'll be speaking there on Friday morning.
As for the rest of the trip (including the long flight) I read, slept, watched movies and ate junk food 😀 . It was absolutely fabulous, and I'm happy to be home now - refreshed, and excited about getting back to my work...
Best,
p.s. Make it a point to live your dream!
About Lynn Terry
SO glad you enjoyed your trip, Lynn, the exhilaration and the relief and the relaxation comes through in your words across the page! So happy that outsourcing is working well for you! Another formula of trial and error to share?...
Glad you got together with the Market Samurai crew, love that product and will enjoy reading and hearing your thoughts on it.
Best for now,
Mary
Glad you had a fun trip!! See you on the call tuesday. John Cole
Welcome back Lynn! Glad to you have great time. 🙂
Thank you!
Mary - as you know (from previous ramblings on the topic), Outsourcing is not my favorite part of this business. I have been trying a few things out this past year though - mainly "out-tasking" now, meaning outsourcing small tasks to multiple people vs taking on a personal assistant and/or personal team.
On my trip home I was reading The E-Myth Revisited and had a bit of an "a ha!" moment with outsourcing... among other things. A great read, for sure! I'll be sure to post a full review, along with my thoughts on it as it relates to running an internet business specifically. I'm about 2/3 of the way through it now...
Welcome home, Lynn! Sounds like you had a wonderful and relaxing vacation. Glad to hear that. Missed ya.
Sometimes vacations can leave us more exhausted than we were before we went away. Glad yours was NOT one of those. You sound well-rested, focused, and I can sense the excitement in your "voice".
Lisa
Ahh - aint that the truth, Lisa! I went on this trip with the intention of taking a true break, though - packed light & planned nothing. I've decided I should do this more often 😉
Glad to hear your trip went well, Lynn.
Lynn,
I feel the same way about traveling, but I wish I had your ability to get over jet lag. Your new blog theme is fantastic!
Chris
Lynn - you make me smile. 🙂 YOU are the internet marketer to emulate. I admire your business model from ethics to relaxation.
Welcome back from vacation! Sounds like you had a fabulous time!
Oh, I can't seem to find how to put my photo here, and when I post it shows up some picture - how do I get my photo to appear beside my comment? I'm sure it is simple but I don't see how.
Thanks!
Diana
It's called a Gravatar, and you can sign up here: http://en.gravatar.com/ to set up your picture so that it shows up on all gravatar enabled sites across the web - including this one 🙂
Like the others I'm glad your home. The trip seems to have gotten the creative juices flowing and wish you the best for 2009
"Pack Light And Plan Nothing" Your new personal and business motivational book! Awesome - I can't wait to read it! 😉
Glad you had a nice time! Isn't it funny how when we kinda 'let go' like that, things go so smoothly? I just love that!
You know it's a "true vacation" when more than half of what you pack is lounge wear or PJ's... and the only shoes you take are flip-flops 😀
I like your new look to your blog. Glad you had fun too!
How do you avoid "jet lag'?
LOL Lisa Marie - it *would* make a good title 😉
As for jet lag, I seem to have no problem traveling TO Australia. I usually arrive in the morning (their time) after having slept on the long flight... and flow right into the time change without issue.
Traveling back, I do tend to be a bit off schedule for awhile. I got home around midnight on Friday night, exhausted but it took me a couple of hours to fall asleep. The second night I was up until 5am (ouch!).
That said, I dont feel ill in any way, and I dont fight it. Being awake means I get to enjoy a good movie, read a book, do some work or whatever. A flexible schedule is nice 🙂 . With my daughter in school, that gets me back on track pretty quick - being up at 6am tomorrow morning will surely make for usual bedtime hour by the end of the day!
I've heard of people experiencing nausea, headaches, fatigue, depression etc after long flights... fortunately my worst experience is being a little off schedule. Not so bad - and certainly not enough to keep me from seeing the world!
Glad to you have great time and Glad to hear your well trip.
Lynn: I'm glad you are back home safe and sound and thrilled that you had a great vacation! This new blog theme/format is absolutely beautiful - I love it! Kudos to you and your design team!
Looking forward to hearing more of your experiences as you wind down and come back to the "real world!"
To Your Networking Success!
Carol
Thank you Carol! Unfortunately there's not much more to tell... I really did spend most of my time doing absolutely nothing at all 😀 lol. Loved every minute of it though!
Lynn,
Well, it seems everyone else has already said what I would have said if I had gotten here sooner.
So I'll just say, I'm glad you're back, glad you had a great time and "glader" still that you learned lots, ate junk lots and are raring to go.
Can't wait to hear what else you have to share.
And by the way, your new theme/site rocks!
Thank you, Karen 😀
Now to get back to healthy eating & my daily walks! 😉
It sounds like you had a great time Lynn! I've always wanted to visit Australia. Love the new theme.
Thank you- Australia is *beautiful*. Definitely worth the trip- and getting less expensive all the time. This last round trip ticket was only around $600 (before taxes of course). You really cant beat that!
Hi Lynn,
So glad you had a wonderful trip. I truly enjoy reading about you and learning from you. Keep up te great work.
Great new blog look.
Many Blessings,
Dawnaurora
It sounds like your trip was great! We are getting ready to do some travel and would love to hear your #1 e-business travel.tip (we will be checking in with everyone here and there so projects are moving)...
I would highly recommend this link for tips & resources: http://mashable.com/2009/03/22/social-media-travel/ (you'll see my comment there as well). Definitely check in at Twitter.com to talk to locals in the areas you book. They'll have some great suggestions!
Hey Lynn,
$600 round trip is a steal. It cost me $1200 last year to travel to New Zealand and I thought that was a good deal. Did you use frequent flyer miles or use a "secret booking agent:-)?"
Next trip be sure to go snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef.
I got the deal directly on United.com. Taxes and all it was just over $900 total, not bad at all. And I racked up some nice numbers on their Mileage Plus program 🙂
New Zealand is definitely on my must-visit list! I'm thinking Tasmania is next though...
Glad you had a great time.Welcome back to work.Looking forward to your next posts about it
Sounds like you had a both a fun and productive trip! I really enjoy your posts, and appreciate the links you posted on your blog, as well... Speaking of which... Your new blog design is superb! Great job. Very clean, very effective, very inviting...
Cheers!
"Make it a point to live your dream"
Some people forget to do this. A lot of times all they an care about are things that could make them rich. But are they sure they are living up their lives to the fullest? Probably not since they would be too busy making money to admire the sunrise and sunset or maybe to have vacation without worries for a little while.
Vacations could indeed reset your mind and leave you refreshed once you are ready to get back to your paperworks.
But of course, being in vacation doesn't entail you to be lazy, you must also make the best of it and get creative and productive.
you have to come over to London.. we'll take you out on the eye.