I am leaving

Every time I set foot on Greek soil, I feel more at home. The country, the people, the weather, the life, and the rhythm and (okay okay) the food. Everything suits me. Every year I go more often and I fiddle with it for a day or a week. This year will be our longest so far, because thank god my friend shares my love. May already revealed that I will answer that phone in Greece with a ‘kalimera’, because we are going to celebrate vacation, work, and live on an island for two months. If corona has made anything clear to us, it is that everything works just fine from a distance. And someday we will live there fifty-fifty, when I just don't know yet. Although everyone thinks we will stay after those two months.

The idea was on the table, but then but then but then? Everything depends on a good plan and solid preparation. Not only the location or period is important, but the financial picture must also be right. You need to arrange a house and maybe your own house will be rented out. For example, I have a house with a garden, beautiful view, and right next to the forest for rent in September and October (EMAIL ME). But you also need to fix an ergonomic workspace, because working by the pool seems fun but is actually just uncomfortable. I will take you with me, step by step towards Greece. These are my basic principles.

1. Write down what you want and dream out loud. As soon as you share something, it becomes real.

2. Take stock. Get your calculator out and find out what it will cost you and how much you need to save. Without a clear calculation, it will take longer to achieve. It is of course smart to save or earn extra, but also see if you can live cheaper. Rent out your house or your car, go out to eat one time less, don't buy new clothes for a while, and cancel a subscription. If you cut back on costs, you will reach your destination almost twice as fast. By the way, do this in a fun way with flipboard and all, your plans will automatically become big.

3. Book a ticket. It is your stick behind the door to ensure that you go. I booked my ticket just before the travel easing, which earned me about 400 euros. And with 400 euros, you can go much further in a country like Greece than here.

4. Think about what your workweeks will look like and make good agreements with your employer or clients. For example, I work from Greece four days a week, from eight in the morning until two in the afternoon. In Greece, it is one hour later, which means I am on average two hours ahead of the workday in the Netherlands. I start with focus hours in which I write and then plan fixed moments when I call, email, and am available. It also works to agree on results with your employer instead of the old-fashioned hourly billing. You deliver good work, and that is what it is ultimately about.

5. Think about practical matters, such as a travel router that allows you to manage the internet yourself and that makes you not dependent on the signal from your accommodation. But always cc yourself when you send something important and urgent, so you never have to say that you are not near a laptop to send it again.

To be continued, because I will update you every week from now on in my journey to living and working in Greece.