Have you ever felt like you're out of place and in need of a break? That happened to me too, which is why I chose to go to Bali for two months on my own for a working vacation.
Although I had heard positive stories about Bali, my decision to go was rather impulsive. I had just graduated college, had never traveled alone and had never even been outside of Europe, and yet I had already booked a ticket after reading no more than two travel blogs.
Shortly after arriving, I found out that this trip ended up being one of the best decisions I could have made. I found not only the relaxation I was looking for, but also many unexpected benefits.
Working from Bali immediately brought a noticeable change in my daily routine.
Thanks to a six-hour time difference, my day began remarkably calmer. Without the usual flow of emails and communications, I was able to begin my work with complete concentration. These quiet mornings offered a perfect start for the rest of the day.
Even though I normally struggle to really distance myself from my work, I noticed that in Bali I could find the "off" button much easier. In the Netherlands, I often caught myself skipping breaks or being indirectly occupied with work anyway.
However, in a new country, with so many activities, people to talk to and opportunities for spontaneity, I found it much easier to completely disconnect from my work.
Fortunately, I do work that I enjoy, so being constantly busy with work is normally not a problem. But surprisingly, this mix of relaxation made me a lot more productive, as I returned to work fresher and more rested each time.
Because of the videos I saw on social media, I didn't really know what to expect from the type of entrepreneurs in Bali. But soon I was surprised by the people I encountered.
I met all kinds of interesting people, each with their own story and unique perspective on things. Their insights made me think and challenged my own beliefs. For example, this led to important questions: what exactly do I want to achieve and perhaps more importantly, why?
At different coworking spots I came into contact with ambitious people, each at a different stage of their lives. It was really ideal to work in such a positive environment and be able to exchange ideas with each other.
Of course, not everything went smoothly. There were times when I needed a little more stability, such as the time I almost got lost at the airport in Malaysia, when my phone was stolen after the first week, or those times when a meeting fell victim to a bad Internet connection.
Thus, most of the advantages were accompanied by some disadvantages.
The time difference meant that I sometimes had meetings at 10 p.m. (4 p.m. in the Netherlands), and strangely, I often didn't feel much like it....
Finding a good balance between work and fun has also been a constant challenge. Working too much can isolate you from fun experiences and spontaneity, while relaxing too much
risks falling behind with work.
"In mid-2019, we knocked on Lifino's door for a new program for our company. They developed a system that our team of 30 uses daily to view client data, tax reporting, record hours, and more.
We have been working with Danny and his team for 5 years now. We really appreciate the commitment and good suggestions! The program saves us about 30% in time. We are super satisfied with it!"
CEO, RAAD International
"Lifino listens carefully to your needs to create something that best suits your business.
The aftercare is also excellent; regularly they ask if everything is still working well and to their liking. And the price is fine too!"
Owner, Our Home Island
"The guys at Lifino have been excellent in helping us increase sales of our online shops Healthy Bakers and Happy Bakers.
Clear communication, quick access and effective marketing strategies."
Manager, The Master Bakery
