“Hola”. I’m in Ecuador. I am still at work but DP Web Development has become location independent. That means I can work from anywhere on this planet. I can still deliver the same great service and results but I have a nicer view. For example from my current “office” I have a magnificent view of thee mountains and volcanoes that surround Quito the capital of Ecuador.

Indeed working from places other than your office opens up exciting new opportunities. For example I have been in this country for about 72 hours now and I have a new contract to build a small website for a local! We got chatting when he saw me on my computer, he needed a website and I said I could help him and we went from there.

This may not be an isolated incident.  Most of the businesses in Ecuador are SME’s (mostly very small) and this is the area I specialize in when it comes to building or maintaining websites. I’m also willing to bet a lot of theses businesses have yet to tap into the benefits of having a website even though most of the younger generations are online.

The other advantage of working for me is that I work when I want…I set my own hours. I tend to work very early or very late (often both) meaning I have the middle of the day to go exploring. Tomorrow I’m off to see the equator. Apparently there are two lines. One was marked a few hundred years ago and was wrong. The “real” one is about 200 metres further down the road. This is not a commonly known fact and I’m sure hundreds, probably thousands of tourists have walked the wrong line!

Next week I will be travelling to the countries second town, Guayaquil. It is about 35C at the moment.  Near the city is a fantastic beach (I have been told) so DP Web Development will be working from a beach for the first time. Mind the sand!  

Before going to Guayaquil and relaxing on the beach I will be attempting to walk up the volcano Iliniza, which is a challenge to say the least. I have a local guide who assures me it is not too bad and is very beautiful at the top. I have climbed (well walked up) mountains in my past but only in Europe. This will be the highest I have ever been.

My life as a location independent business is now busier than I have ever been. Running a business is not easy and NOT less work. But I have more energy than I ever had because every day is a new adventure and it is all down to my own efforts. I love what I do and the freedom I have is addictive.

I urge you to try it now. Why not?  You will never go back to paid employment again.

As always, thoughts appreciated.

I started DP Web Development in the office of my house here in Sevenoaks, Kent.

There are advantages to this. It cuts costs. There are no commutes or renting of offices. This allows me to keep costs to an absolute minimum. That means I can charge less for my services.

Here’s what it’s like for real. The pros and the cons. Let’s start with the pros.

• I set my own hours. That doesn’t mean I work less! But I can vary them some days I work early finish early and other days I work late. No  “OMG you’re 15 minutes late.”

• No Commute. Need I say more?

• Fewer interruptions. I GET MORE DONE.

• Clothes. I don’t have to dress “formally” anymore. I wear what I am most comfortable in.

• I am my own boss.. I’m the best manager I’ve ever had.

• I see more of my wife and son. Priceless. I was there when he took his first steps.

• NO Office politics. Need I say more? I’v enever understood this crap anyway. What do people get out of it really? Unless you’re a tosser.

• Less StressI find my home-based work environment significantly less stressful than any of the corporate jobs I’ve had in my life.

• I am location independent. I have worked from the local coffee shop and very nice it was too.

• Honestly I am fulfilling a dream of being my own boss. Working where I want to be on my own terms

Cons

Erm, I’m sure there must be some.

• Loneliness.  Well not really. I have friends, family a fucking phone if necessary.  I don’t get that argument at all. You don’t choose your work colleagues but you choose who you are with (and when) working from a home office.

• Procrastination. People say you won’t work as much. It’s not hard really. Just a bit of self-discipline is all it takes. I around 40 hours a week. Sometimes it’s less sometimes it’s more.  If I didn’t work I would not make any money. So the motivation is clear.

• It’s harder to separate your private life from your business life. NO it’s not. My work is in my office. My home life is out of it. Ids that a hard thing to grasp? It’s kinda similar to “normal” work. The work is at the office and not out if it?

There are more I’m sure of it.. Tell me about them

I’ll be honest though. I love working from home. It benefits my clients as I keep costs low and it benefits me for the reasons outlined above. And I don’t get the so called drawbacks.

But here’s what really cool. Why should I be tied to home?

Perhaps I should  have titles this post, “working from where you want to be.  Being location independent.”   I’m not bound to the office in my home if I don’t want to be. I can work in the park, in a café, in another country and people do do it.

Check out:

http://www.themiddlefingerproject.org/about/ this page contains one of the best quotes I have read in my entire life. Seriously.

http://suitcaseentrepreneur.com/ This is the true epitomy of being location independent. Natalie literally lives out of her suitcase and runs a successful business to boot.

http://www.loveplaywork.com/  You known that screensaver of the beautiful beach with a crystal clear blue sea? Why don’t you go there and have as a real view while you work? That’s’ what Hannah and Chris did.

There are loads more people doing it.

AND GUESS WHAT. I’ll  be joining them soon!! DP Web Development is going  location independent and will be travelling to another continent in the not too distant future.  WOO HOOOOO!!