What Is My Definition of Location Independence?

This is my Day 4 post for Natalie Sisson’s 30 Day Blog Challenge on the Suitcase Entrepreneur. Check it out!

lo·ca·tion  [loh-key-shuhn]
noun
1. a place of settlement, activity, or residence.

in·de·pend·ence  [in-di-pen-duhns]
noun
2. freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.

*Definitions are from dictionary.com

To me, location means wherever you are settled, i.e., your place of stability, both mentally and physically, and independence means freedom. So, location independence means being free to do things on your own terms and without the control of others, no matter where you are.

It also means you are free to fail, or succeed in the place of your choosing.

Freedom in the Philippines

In 2007 I traveled to the Philippines. Since I was working for the man, I had to be careful about when I left and when I returned.

As it turns out, my 18 day trip included two full work weeks plus a couple of extra days. My company wasn’t too concerned since this was barely longer than a “typical” vacation, despite the fact that most people never took more than one week off at a time.

When I returned home, I shared pictures and stories, and my boss was interested in what I had done. One year later and everything was different.

It’s Easier to Ask for Forgiveness than Permission

In 2008 I returned to the Philippines, but this trip lasted almost a month. The rub? I didn’t ask permission before leaving. As the saying goes, I thought it would be easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. It worked.

To be clear, everyone in my office – the office I managed – knew I was leaving and how long I would be gone. These very capable people where the ones who made my absence possible. In addition, I packed my laptop and a very good wireless internet booster so I could check in via email or Skype on a daily basis.

The problem was not my office. Rather, it was my regional boss whose office was 800 miles away. Even though I communicated with him as needed, and I answered his emails promptly, he didn’t seem to think my being gone that long was such a good idea.

Why?

First, I was gone in the summer, which is our busiest time of the year. Second, it was budget season and I was the one responsible for helping our bean counters create the next year’s budget. Third, I think my boss may have been a little nervous that I wasn’t coming back.

Oddly enough, all 25 of my employees managed to get paid while I was gone, nobody missed a beat in their responsibilities for getting the work done (they likely accomplished more with me out of the office), our budgets were finished on time, and I even managed to deal with a fire and subsequent insurance claim from nearly 7,000 miles away. Imagine that!

What really happened while I was “gone?” A lot of work got done on the school we were building in the Philippines. I enjoyed time away from the grind of my day-to-day activities at work. I enjoyed nearly a month of “us time” with my teenage daughter. And everything – Every Thing – at my office was business as usual.

A Taste of Location Independence

Nearly 4 weeks in the Philippines gave me my first taste of true location independence. Not only did I enjoy traveling to a different country; I was able to help some people who really needed the help. Plus, my business back home hummed along without missing a beat.

That, my friends, is location independence.

I could have been in Costa Rica, Kenya or Katmandu, and as long as everything got done that needed to, all was right in the world. What’s wrong with that?

Lessons Learned

1. If you are leaving town for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to tell someone, even if they are your boss. In my case, I told my staff and let my boss find out later. That worked for me. And I didn’t lose my job (I’m not sure if that is positive or negative).

2. Be sure to have internet access so you can stay in touch if or when necessary. With email and Skype, there really isn’t much you can’t do, regardless of where you are in the world.

3. Location independence does not require you to own your own business. It simply means you have the freedom to run your business, do your work and accomplish whatever tasks must be accomplished from wherever you are currently residing.

4. If your job doesn’t allow you to be location independent, it might be time to look for another job or start your own business.

5. For years I heard that “it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.” I can assure you, at least from my personal experience, it’s true.

6. Life is short. If you have a chance to spend that much time with your daughter (or son, spouse, etc.), take it. The richness of our relationship more than 5 years later is so worth it.