Work Life Balance on a Family Sailboat.
How can I balance work and family life while sailing?
So, how do you maintain a work-life balance while enjoying the freedom of sailing, especially if there's a need to work remotely?
Balancing work and family life while sailing requires a thoughtful approach to make the most of the freedom that a life on the water offers. For those needing to work remotely, establishing a reliable and efficient onboard workspace is crucial.
Invest in technology that ensures reliable connectivity, such as satellite internet (at the moment that means Starlink but other providers are on the horizon) and a robust laptop. Don’t forget to factor in your power needs too. Marina wifi is always slow so if you don’t have satellite broadband, seek out marinas or anchorages with good phone coverage in order to hotspot off your mobile phone.
Create a schedule that aligns with both work commitments and the natural rhythm of life at sea, allowing for productive work hours and dedicated family time. Juggling work time with schooling and boat life is one of the biggest challenges on our boat and we often seek out cafes or libraries onshore if we’re close enough.
Communication is key; discuss expectations and boundaries with your family before setting off, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Embrace the flexibility that remote work provides, allowing you to explore new destinations without compromising professional commitments.
Ultimately, finding the right balance involves prioritising family moments, leveraging technology, and embracing the unique challenges and rewards that come with working while sailing.
⚓💼 #RemoteWorkSailing #FamilyAtSea #WorkLifeBalance
Further Reading: “Family on the Loose: The Art of Traveling with Kids” by Bill Richards and E. Ashley Steel.
Although a bit dated now, this book offers hundreds of easy-to-use ideas for the journey ahead, teaching your kids to pack themselves, setting itineraries and expectations, enriching your travel experience through journaling etc., etc. This book is intended for well-seasoned travellers and newbies alike who enjoy being with their children, want to enrich their education, and are excited to discover, as a family, the vast and unique experiences this world has to offer.
Since Covid there has been an explosion of books on the subject of remote working. Take a browse in Amazon and find one that suits your particular circumstances.
Do you have your own recommended reading material or other suggested resources on balancing work and family life while travelling and sailing, that could be included here? If so, drop us a line via the contact form.
