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Writer's pictureJesse Favre

Sans Limites: Key Purchases for Making the World Your Office

Updated: Aug 7

Staying in a hostel for 20-somethings, it hadn’t occurred to me how intriguing my career might be to a Gen Z audience. 


As word got around that I wasn’t “one of them” (i.e. I was both old and working), I began getting stopped in the lounge... and then the knocks started on my door. 

“As the oldest person here,” one of the hostel dwellers started last night (in the most genuinely angelic way possible), “what’s your biggest piece of advice… given my situation?” 


His "situation," which seems to be the general consensus of the hostel, is that he wants to do life (and his career) his own way. The young adults I’ve met in Berlin are not particularly interested in their parents’ plans for them. Some recently dropped out of college and are re-evaluating their options. Others are pursuing careers, like becoming a flight attendant, that don’t require a college degree (and therefore don't come with massive debt in the U.S.). And others are just giving themselves a few months post-college to play around in Europe before considering any major life decisions. 


At first pass, my Gen Z counterparts might come off as wild and a bit reckless. In actuality, though, they’re thoughtful, self-aware, and empowered. 


What can I say? They've grown on me, and I've become sympathetic towards their cause. (Thus, the Lucy-style advice booth that has cropped up in our dormitory.)

So, in the spirit of helping others find or create careers with minimal limits, I figured I’d pass along some of the key purchases that have helped me work from practically anywhere. (I won’t be referencing any specific brands, but feel free to reach out if you want the details!)


The Black Backpack


If you want to immediately be identified as a digital nomad abroad, make sure you’re donning a gigantic black backpack containing your entire life and office. 

True confession: the color doesn’t actually matter (buy black, though!). What is significant is having a comfortable backpack that helps you stay organized. 

Think of your backpack as your turtle shell- and invest accordingly. 


Portable WiFi



Gone are the days of paying for expensive international daily passes through your cell service just to turn on Google Maps for a couple of minutes! My pocket-size portable WiFi has been fantastic for checking e-mail and Slack while I'm running around Berlin. 


(I have not tested this for videoconferencing yet, but the reviews are great. Just make sure you have enough data!)


A Headset 


Bad news, good news…


Bad news first: you’re definitely going to look like a jerk. 


Good news: you can maintain excellent audio quality on videoconferencing calls, even from a crowded cafe. 


(I do wish I had invested in an option with better noise cancellation for myself, so read those reviews and choose wisely!)


A Portable Second Monitor


Shoutout to my brilliant friend/training colleague Chelsea Conrad for convincing me to make this purchase when I started my business! Mine takes up less space than a notebook and helps me keep my productivity high no matter where I’m at. 

Chef’s kiss to this invention! 


Co-working Office Space



If you’ve already got a private workspace with WiFi, skip this section. For everyone else, read on.


“But isn’t this just working from an office?” you may be wondering. Sure, but an office with floating chairs and unlimited coffee and cucumber water.


More importantly, here's the deal: if you’re working on the road, you need to exercise some wicked discernment regarding what you truly need to stay productive. For me, I know creative brainstorming is going to happen when I’m furthest from an office. (Put me on a bus or a plane, and I’m golden.) However, if I’m training, meeting with clients, doing detailed instructional design, or coaching, I need a distraction-free work zone. I recently opted into a global shared workspace plan that covers the hours I need while I’m traveling, and nothing more. 


*Caution- make sure to check the hours of your shared workspace! If you're in Europe, you may find that offices don't run past their own standard business hours. 


A Freelance Account (Client-side)


The account itself typically requires no purchase, but freelance support of course comes with a price. With that said, if you’re producing your own work, you might consider what could be delegated and get some outside help in the event your time availability changes while traveling. 


Protip: Depending on where you and your freelancer are located, it’s possible that work will be getting done during the hours you’re asleep. That can significantly cut down on the lead time for projects, so it may be worth exploring regardless!


A Flexible Gym Membership


Perhaps you’re like me and need to be active to be productive. 


While I’m usually behind in terms of tech trends, I can proudly share that I was an early adopter of flexible gym membership apps. Find a plan that has global access to facilities, so you can maintain some semblance of a routine while trying new things and meeting new people. 



While working abroad comes with a bit of a learning curve and some initial expenses, my assessment is it's totally worth it! Sign up for some language classes, get a great accountant, purchase some emergency travel insurance... And then go live your life- sans limites!

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