The Traveling Mindset

height=”200″ />When I started working for myself full time, I hadn’t thought about the freedom that working from the road would give me. This summer, I have been able to keep up with my ezine, respond to emails and work with clients while I’m visiting Cape Cod, Big Sur, and now Grand Lake, Colorado.

While I am inspired creatively by the beauty of my summer explorations, and feel so grateful to be able to travel with my family, I have been sorely challenged by digging for the discipline to focus on getting my work done. It means waking earlier than everyone else to devote two hours to writing. It also means that I am willing to miss out on a few activities.

I struggled with that thought at first, but then I realized how fortunate I am to be able to travel with my family at will. A friend asked me how it feels to have so much vacation time. I simply smiled. The truth is, when you are an entrepreneur, you don’t earn vacation time, you work while you are on the road. You plan time to focus on your family, whether you are at home or away.

In addition to discipline, you have to communicate your plans to others so they can manage their expectations. If you create a regular time that you work, they pick up the schedule and respect your work time.

I am coming to realize that it is about mindset — the state of your mind that tells you what is possible. Your mindset can either establish limits or create limitless possibilities.

It is possible for me to travel and work. It is also possible for me to intentionally stop working and enjoy my family. I have viagra no prescription to establish boundaries that mean I silence my phone and shut down my computer. I have the same challenge with the discipline of focusing solely on family. It is the ultimate in integrating work and life.

Now that I have given you my work-life spiel, I will also let you in on the secret to my success: Grandparents.

Each trip has included the significant and enthusiastic support of at least one of Zoe’s grandparents. They read to her, play with her, and tell her family stories. She would much rather hang out with them than her parents. While I am writing in the morning, she wakes up and runs straight to them for a morning story or tickle.

Their laughter is like working to music. I can relax and get in the zone. It also motivates me to stop procrastinating and get the work done so I can join in.

As I sit here writing, I hear the sounds of blueberry pancakes coming to life in the kitchen. Grandma Trisha and Zoe are busy at work, so I will wrap this up quickly. It’s time to shut the computer and get down to the business of breakfast.