The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly changed how we work. Countless employers temporarily went full remote. Others like AirBnb Dropbox stayed that way.
Then there is the freelance workforce. According to Upwork’s annual Freelance Forward Report, the sector grew by 3 percent in only a year’s time. As of the 2022 report, 39% of Americans freelance
The Monday - Friday 9-5 in the office work structure is increasingly becoming a thing of the past. The change hasn’t hindered productivity according to a recent study by Boston College and The University of Cambridge.
That means the focus of work life balance is taking center stage signaling the rise of the blurred line between where work stops and play begins. Whatever that is worth, that does mean that in many cases, you can work from just about anywhere including in the ski lodge.
That resonates with me as a member of the freelancer landscape. I can get more done in less time and be able to dedicate that idle time to other pursuits like—just spitballing here—skiing.
But how do you make it work when you are on the road or hitting the slopes?
BE TRANSPARENT
As a freelancer, my clients know that my time is divided. I work in a deadline driven environment. As long as I meet those deadlines I am all set. I can essentially do my work from anywhere.
If you live and work by this framework, listen up—-If you’re getting on a plane, in transit, or in a place with non-reliable wifi, communicate that with your team.
Remember while you are on your workation not everyone is, that means during the time, it’s important that you communicate your situation with your colleagues. Make sure those who rely on you aren’t left in the dark.
KEEP A SCHEDULE
Personally I subscribe to a work model that is three hours on– one hour off. That keeps me productive while also not wasting my time idle while I could otherwise maybe take a few runs. This obviously varies depending on your work environment. If you have a meeting scheduled, it might be best to work a bit before the meeting and a bit after. Then hit the slopes when you’re not.
KEEP YOUR TIME ZONE IN MIND
If you work in New York and out at a resort in Utah, maybe working later in the day is a better choice. You can catch the first chair and get a few hours of riding / skiing while your colleagues are getting ready for the day back in the city.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT RESOURCES
For whatever it's worth some ski lodges aren’t exactly well connected wifi and phone signal wise. If you are posting up in the lodge for a few hours cranking out whatever work you do that is important to keep that in mind.
That can be an issue at some of the smaller resorts. Other locales with much larger ski villages have co-working spaces —- a godsend for digital nomads. There are options in places like Whistler, Solden, and Jackson Hole.
These may be great options if you also need space to take some phone calls or print documents.
Robust ski towns also have their fair share of coffee shops you can post up at for a few hours like Stateline near Lake Tahoe, Killington and Aspen.