Hey there my travel loving friend!

T-minus 8 weeks until what I’m lovingly calling N-Day (Nomad Day).

My daughter finished full time high school on Friday and isn’t sure what she thinks about that (excited to finish, nervous for what comes next - understandably). She still has exams to get through though, so we’re not celebrating too hard just yet. 😎

My husband is one week away from hiking the 96km Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea! He’s been wanting to do it for years and it’s significant to him as an Australian as it’s the site of intense battles in World War II between Japanese and Allied forces, particularly Australian troops.

He finishes the hike on Anzac Day where he’ll attend a service in memory of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces. I’m hoping he’ll get some interesting pics along the way which I’ll share on FB.

In the meantime, I’m working my socks off trying to batch create posts and content ahead of heading off on our travels, (although not so hard I don’t get time for the odd Phang Nga boat day with friends!

Here’s what I have for you this week;

1. Travel Trivia - an underwater oasis!

2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective 50+ Nomadic Solopreneurs

3. How to Start an Online Business & Travel the World in Your 60’s, 70’s & Beyond

4. Thought of the week…

Travel Trivia!

What destination requires you to ride an elevator through an aquatic tunnel to reach an underground restaurant with panoramic views of marine life?

Dining at this unusual eatery not only promises a feast for your taste buds but also a visual feast of oceanic proportions. Can you name this submerged sensation?

(answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

Mini Mastery - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective 50+ Nomadic Solopreneurs

Echoing the habits from Stephen Covey's bestselling book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," here’s how 50+ nomadic solopreneurs thrive while traveling and working remotely, and how you can too!

Habit 1 - Be Proactive

In the book, Covey emphasizes the importance of being proactive, focusing on what you can control or influence rather than reacting to external circumstances.

Highly effective 50+ digital nomads embrace this principle by becoming the masters of their own destiny. They take responsibility for their lives and make conscious choices about their work, lifestyle, and relationships.

They choose where they want to live, what work they do, and who they surround themselves with. They focus on what they can control and let go of what they cannot, maintaining a proactive mindset to navigate challenges with grace and resilience.

Actionable Step: Take some time to reflect on the areas of your life where you can assert more control. Identify one decision you can make today that aligns with your values and brings you closer to your ideal nomadic lifestyle. Remember, every choice you make is an opportunity to shape your destiny.

Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind

Covey describes this habit as a crucial step in personal leadership. He encourages readers to envision their desired outcomes and clarify their values, goals, and aspirations.

Highly effective 50+ digital nomads apply this principle by crafting a clear vision of their ideal nomadic lifestyle. They take the time to imagine their perfect day-to-day life, considering their work, location, and relationships.

This vision serves as a compass, guiding their decisions and actions as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of the nomadic lifestyle. They regularly ask themselves, "Does this align with my vision of my ideal nomadic life?" ensuring they stay true to their values and goals.

Actionable Step: Set aside time to create a detailed vision of your ideal nomadic lifestyle. Write it down, create a vision board, or find another way to make it tangible. Regularly review and refine your vision as you grow and evolve, ensuring it continues to align with your values and aspirations.

Habit 3 - Put First Things First

Covey says this is the key to effective self-management. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks based on their urgency and importance, focusing on activities that contribute to your long-term goals and well-being.

Highly effective 50+ digital nomads understand the significance of making the main thing the main thing. They know what's important to them and prioritize accordingly, not just in their work but also in their personal lives.

They recognize that being tied to a desk is not the life they desire. They prioritize activities that bring them joy, personal growth, and a sense of adventure. At the same time, they focus on the most impactful tasks in their work to achieve the freedom and flexibility to pursue their dreams.

Actionable Step: Reflect on your current priorities. Are you spending enough time on the things that truly matter to you, both personally and professionally? Create a list of your top priorities and schedule time for them in your calendar. Remember, putting first things first is not about doing more but about focusing on what matters most.

Habit 4 - Think Win-Win

Covey presents the fourth habit as a mindset and approach to interpersonal relationships. He emphasizes the importance of seeking mutually beneficial solutions and building relationships based on trust and cooperation.

Highly effective 50+ digital nomads don't see competition; they see collaboration. They understand that the presence of others doing similar things indicates a thriving market and potential for future collaboration.

When meeting others on the road, they actively seek opportunities for all parties to benefit, contributing positively to the world around them. They strive to create win-win situations with clients and partners, building trust and mutual respect for long-lasting relationships.

Actionable Step: Identify one area in your nomadic life where you can shift from a competitive to a collaborative mindset. Reach out to a fellow nomad or potential partner and explore ways to work together, creating mutual benefits and contributing to a thriving nomadic community.

Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

Covey introduces the fifth habit as a key principle for effective interpersonal communication. He emphasizes the importance of empathetic listening and seeking to genuinely understand another person's perspective before attempting to be understood oneself.

Highly effective 50+ digital nomads play a crucial role in spreading tolerance and understanding. They explore the world with an open mind, immersing themselves in different cultures and belief systems, and actively seeking to broaden their perspectives.

They practice empathetic listening, creating a safe space for others to share their stories and experiences without judgment. They ask questions, seek clarification, and strive to understand the contexts that shape people's lives, contributing to a more tolerant and inclusive world.

Actionable Step: In your next conversation with someone from a different background, practice empathetic listening. Set aside preconceptions and focus on understanding their perspective, asking open-ended questions and listening attentively to enrich your understanding and contribute to a more inclusive society.

Habit 6 - Synergise

Covey presents this habit as the principle of creative cooperation. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration, teamwork, and open-mindedness in achieving better results than working independently.

For 50+ digital nomads, synergising is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, as well as a way to combat potential loneliness. They actively seek opportunities to collaborate with other nomads, join communities, and leverage their unique skills and experiences to create something greater than they could achieve alone.

By building connections and partnerships with local businesses and individuals in the places they visit, they create innovative solutions and contribute to the growth and development of the communities they engage with, cultivating a sense of purpose and belonging.

Actionable Step: Identify one way to create more connection in your nomadic life, such as joining an online community, attending a local event, or reaching out to a fellow nomad for potential collaboration. Actively seek opportunities to synergise with others to enhance your growth, well-being, and sense of belonging.

Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw

Covey introduces the seventh habit, as the principle of self-renewal. He emphasizes the importance of continuously investing in oneself across four key dimensions: physical, mental, social/emotional, and spiritual.

Highly effective 50+ digital nomads understand that personal growth and continuous learning are essential to thriving in the ever-changing landscape of the nomadic lifestyle. They embrace a growth mindset, always seeking opportunities to improve themselves and expand their knowledge and skills.

Travel and exploration provide unparalleled opportunities for personal growth across all dimensions of life. By immersing themselves in new experiences, engaging with diverse people, and prioritising self-care and renewal, they continuously invest in themselves, enhancing their effectiveness and well-being while inspiring others to do the same.

Actionable Step: Identify one area of your life where you want to "sharpen the saw" and commit to taking one small step towards personal growth this week. Consistently invest in yourself and actively seek growth opportunities to enhance your effectiveness, well-being, and inspire others.

Key Takeaways:

1. Be Proactive: Take responsibility for your life by becoming the master of your own destiny, choosing the work you do, where you live, and who you surround yourself with.

2. Begin with the End in Mind: Create a clear vision of your ideal nomadic life to guide your decisions and actions.

3. Put First Things First: Prioritise activities that bring joy, growth, and adventure, while focusing on impactful work tasks to achieve the freedom you desire.

4. Think Win-Win: Embrace collaboration, seek mutually beneficial opportunities, and contribute positively to the world.

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood: Explore the world openly, practice empathetic listening, and spread tolerance and understanding.

6. Synergise: Actively collaborate with nomads, join communities, and create local partnerships to open doors, combat loneliness, and contribute to growth.

7. Sharpen the Saw: Embrace continuous learning, personal growth, self-care, and self-investment through travel and exploration.

By embodying these principles, highly effective 50+ digital nomads not only create a more fulfilling and purposeful life for themselves but also inspire others and contribute positively to the world around them.

Remember, true effectiveness is not just about what you achieve, but who you become in the process.

Be the change!

Jo 😊

How to Start a Business & Travel the World in Your 60’s, 70’s & Beyond!

I received this fantastic note from a subscriber a couple of weeks ago;

The honest truth is you’d do it the same way you’d get started at 38, 48 or 58. But as we get older lots of other factors come into play such as self doubt, societal beliefs and the feeling that somehow we missed the boat.

Not true! Here are 7 ageist myths I obliterate, along with a step by step guide on how to get started today if you’re 60+. I hope it helps!

My good friend Caroline asked on my Facebook page for some more information regards VPN’s, so here’s a post all about them! What they are, what they do and which ones I recommend!

I’m 100% going to be releasing a travel planner/journal at some point in the next few months (it was going to be on my Etsy store, but will now be on my own ecom shop when I launch). In the meantime here are some of the best journals I’ve found online that make great gifts and that I’ll be using as inspiration!

Thought of the Week;

I saw this great graphic this week and wanted to share;

Never let fear of failing or making mistakes hold you back. The more mistakes you make, the more you learn!

Trivia Answer

If you guessed the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant in the Maldives, you’d be correct!

Located 16 feet below sea level at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort, it offers 180-degree views of the vibrant coral gardens, giving diners an unparalleled experience of dining under the sea.

This is so going on my bucket list!

That’s All Folks

That’s it from me this week. I hope it’s been useful!

In the meantime, make sure to come and connect on the FB Page, have a fabulous week, live your best life and as always get out there and make it happen!

Jo 😊