DISQUS

Julie · 1 year ago

Christine- Thanks for this post. As a writer and editor who tends to receive more than 100 e-mails a day, I really do feel like I need to check in online at least once a day, so the only other tip I'd add to your list (for me!) is to always check ahead to determine if your intended lodging has internet access and how much it costs. There's nothing worse, for me, than thinking that I'll have time set aside to do some work and then find myself in a place where I can't get online.

Julies last blog post..The Night After/La Noche Despues

Chad @ Sentient Money · 1 year ago

These aren't just for traveling

The first one is really a life long goal...know yourself.

Chad @ Sentient Moneys last blog post..Why is the Financial Meltdown Happening?

jamie · 1 year ago

Good advice that would work fine at home too...

jamies last blog post..God help me, I am so confused about sunscreen!

Craig · 1 year ago

This is one of the most useful posts I've read in weeks. As a full time traveller/part time writer+podcaster this is a great collection of tips.

I find there's lots of OFFLINE time, which is difficult for me. I make use of trains and planes to catch up with reading and also replying to non-urgent emails. I normally postpone my RSS reading and emails for a day or two if I know there's a long journey ahead of me.

I'm currently writing a book and trying to find time...amid writing for the Indie Travel Podcast and for Eurail Stories and for our personal blogs. It's busy, time consuming and I don't get to see everything I'd like or meet everyone I want. I've been to 35 countries in the last three years and have spent some days locked in a hostel with a visit to a cafe just writing or doing voice recording.

For websites and magazine-style writing, I try to batch-write publications. For example, I submit three articles a month to one site and I do them all in one go. I have just taken on the editorship of two sections at Wandering Educators and write my monthly material for that all in one go. That makes life easier and means I don't have to try remembering what I've done.

For email, I suggest checking out 43 folder's Inbox Zero system. Enough! Must go be productive!

Craig · 1 year ago

PS: I've stumbled and dugg it.

NewWrldYankee · 1 year ago

Great Tips! Considered yourself stumbled!

When I blog, I tend to go with those sudden bursts of energy that come around now and then. I then end up writing tons of content all in one day - and the week is sorted. It beats getting up at the crack of dawn and trying to write properly and not in gibberish. I also go to sleep as soon at the wave of tiredness instead of trying to fight it. I'd rather go to sleep early than wait and be tired the whole next day.

NewWrldYankees last blog post..Fresh Okra Stir Fry for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Tanya · 1 year ago

I definitely follow rule #1. If I don't have it written by noon, it's just not going to happen. Or it's going to take twice as long to get it done. Find your in-the-zone time and stick with it!

Nomadic Matt · 1 year ago

I don't follow #7 at all but I do try to do #6. I usually try to wake up early and get things done then go out see the world. that's my system!

Nomadic Matts last blog post..Khao Yai National Park

Theresa · 1 year ago

Like you, what I imagined and what has actually happened don't exactly meld. I'm thinking of this month in Sweden as a bit of a trial run to our RTW trip, and I'm realizing it's going to be harder to get as much writing done as I wanted. So I'm doing two things: 1) Trying out different systems and schedules to see what works and what doesn't, and 2) Tempering my expectations. I've decided my main goal with our trip is to travel and to experience each place as fully as I can. I will try to write as much as possible within that framework, but I've decided to prioritize the travel over the writing. We'll keep up the blog for sure, and I hope to get a few articles out there, (and I'll journal and note take a plenty) but I'm not going to really put pressure on myself to produce, produce, produce.

Fly Girl · 1 year ago

What insightful tips! Sometimes I get cought up in the superwoman syndrome and can't figure out why I can't do everything I'm supposed to do. These are exactly the kind of points that I need to focus on. Thanks!

Rob Greenwood · 1 year ago

The classic way to being productive while travelling is learning a language. And it is hard. I have been travelling for 7 months though South and Central America and have been to three different schools and, for me, it´s slow but rewarding progress.

At the moment I am going to a great school in Buenos Aires called Expanish (http://www.expanish.com) and I definitely recommend it.

Lisa · 1 year ago

Christine-
This is a great post--thank you!
I AM currently sitting on a train on my way from Paris to Rouen, France and am doing a few things you mentioned--i left open my browser on my laptop with this very article so i could read it while i was on the train. And I'm answering all those pesky emails in my inbox!

I have been traveling and writing for 2 years now and still haven't found the perfect system. It seems that each new town or lodging (hostel, hotel or couchsurf) puts me in a different frame of mind. But like one of your readers said, i try not to put too much pressure on myself and put travel first...or else I wouldn't enjoy the trip at all.
I also find myself up at 3am, but it's still just answering emails. What i need to learn is how to force myself to get "offline" more and ONLY write and not be distracted by emails or googling something.
Thank you!

Lisa
www.llworldtour.com

Lisas last blog post..Running Away?