Envision the allure of completing your tasks amidst the serenity of a picturesque park, a stunning sunset, the tranquil sea, from a fragrant café, or even while commuting to a destination of your choice, rather than the confines of an office? This dream is attainable with the establishment of an efficient mobile office. I am an ordinary individual without any extraordinary privileges. Yet, I have managed to produce electronic music, contribute to web publications, and conduct business and freelance endeavors, all from my laptop, while traversing beautiful train rides, basking in ocean sunsets, and exploring vibrant city locales. The same opportunities await you. Before you dismiss the idea with, “But that’s not feasible due to [insert reason here],” remember that not everyone can embrace a mobile office lifestyle. Establishing a mobile office requires a few prerequisites:
Your work should predominantly be computer-based (which is the norm for many today) and not dependent on immovable equipment, such as factory machinery.
You must have a flexible work arrangement with your employer (i.e., you are permitted to work remotely), be self-employed, or own your own business. Essentially, you need the autonomy to decide where and when you work.
Can you fulfill these conditions? If so, continue reading, as your professional life is about to undergo a significant transformation. Here are several compelling reasons to adopt a mobile office.Breaking Free from Confining “Office Time” Say goodbye to the monotonous routine of a cubicle, day in and day out. You will accomplish your tasks efficiently, even more so, as you have…Enhanced Flexibility A mobile office empowers you to work at any time and any place you desire. This doesn’t mean you can procrastinate and avoid work when you’re not in the mood; it simply means you are not confined to a traditional 9 to 5 schedule. Feel like going for a hike on a Wednesday afternoon? Go for it. On the flip side—and this is the key point—you can also choose to work when you want. Not a morning person? Sleep in and work at night. An early riser? Get your tasks done before lunchtime.Autonomy Boosts Productivity Studies indicate that remote workers tend to be more productive—either faster, of higher quality, or in greater volume. A research study by Dr. Ravi S. Gajendran and Dr. David A. Harrison from Penn State University suggests that telecommuting positively impacts productivity due to workers’ greater control over their schedules. “Our findings demonstrate that telecommuting has a beneficial effect overall because the arrangement offers employees greater control over their work processes,” the researchers commented. “Autonomy is a significant factor in job satisfaction, and this is evident in our analysis. Telecommuters reported higher job satisfaction, less desire to leave the company, reduced stress, improved work-life balance, and better performance evaluations from supervisors.” With a mobile office, you can work wherever you want, not just whenever you want. Experience moments of inspiration throughout the day? Seize the opportunity to accomplish quality work in a 30-minute block. Or not. The choice is yours, and the freedom of a mobile office grants you the power to dictate your work style and schedule.Endless Source of Fresh Inspiration A mobile office allows for a continuous change in your surroundings. New sights, sounds, and scents all contribute to inspiration in your work. It’s the stimulation of your senses. Monotony is dull; change is exciting and energizing. Even if it’s just cycling through a few locations, it’s more stimulating (and thus inspiring) than remaining in one place all day, every day. So, are you convinced and eager to set up your mobile office and begin utilizing it? Excellent. Here are five essentials for an effective mobile office:
A laptop (or an equivalent portable computer)
Mobile internet access
Headphones
Digital substitutes for physical essentials
A highly comfortable bag
A Laptop This may seem obvious, but I mention it in case someone asks, “How am I supposed to move my desktop computer from my office with me?” Your computer must be portable. This may mean a compromise in power and resources compared to your desktop, but for most, this is a minor trade-off for the freedom of not being tied to one location.Mobile Internet Access Mobile internet access is easily obtainable due to the proliferation of free WiFi hotspots in cities, states, and countries. Additionally, you can opt for a mobile WiFi hotspot through a monthly data plan to ensure constant internet connectivity.Headphones You’ll need a reliable pair of headphones for music, Skype calls, and noise cancellation while working. The earphones that come with your MP3 player are adequate. High-quality headphones or earphones are even better. If possible, invest in noise-cancelling in-ear earphones. Why are earphones superior? Their noise reduction feature minimizes distractions and allows for lower volume music, which in turn protects your ears from constant exposure to high volumes. 
Why earphones over headphones? Their smaller size is more convenient for packing. Opting for a small case is preferable. Trust me: dealing with large headphones in your bag gets old. Even if headphones are more comfortable, I can’t go back to those bulky giants consuming so much of my backpack space.Digital Equivalents of Physical Necessities Seek out software and web services that can replace your hardware. Essentially, you want to minimize the number of items you need to carry around. This will increase the likelihood that you’ll use your mobile office, as your setup will be ready to go at a moment’s notice. For instance, instead of carrying a portable hard drive (even though ultra-portable options exist), use an online storage service like Dropbox.A Highly Comfortable Bag Invest in a bag that complements your style and is comfortable enough to wear for extended periods. This is akin to having a super-comfortable chair in your stationary office. Why is a comfortable bag important? Because if you dread something as simple as lugging around a heavy and uncomfortable bag, you won’t feel inclined to venture out and use your mobile office. Here are some web services that can complement your mobile office:Dropbox 
Dropbox is excellent for file-sharing, collaboration, and automated backup of your work (no need to carry around external hard drives or USB flash drives).Freshbooks 
Freshbooks is a fantastic tool for creating invoices with minimal effort. There’s no need for printing or postage on your part; they’ll handle it all if you need to send out a paper invoice.Basecamp or Google Docs 
A simple project management tool like Basecamp (or a web-based office suite like Google Docs) can be invaluable for collaboration, tracking milestones and deadlines, and file-sharing. These three web services are all you really need to accomplish the majority of your work (the 80/20 rule and reductionism applied to software use and dependence). The best part? All of these services offer free basic accounts, allowing you to start using them immediately without any upfront costs or commitments. Be aware of these three signs that may keep you tied down and prevent you from using your mobile office. These issues are all easily avoidable.Excessive Accessories Replace physical devices with online alternatives that function offline when internet access is unavailable. For example, using Dropbox will enable you to work on local files that will be automatically synced when you go online. Otherwise, you may feel inclined to stay put rather than carrying around numerous items. 
Minimize hardware as much as possible. For instance, even if there are tiny iPod nanos available, it’s one more item you need to worry about (Did I remember to pack it? Did I lose my iPod nano? Where is my iPod nano?). If possible, store your music on your laptop.Short Battery Life The longer your laptop’s battery life, the less concerned you’ll be about your laptop running out of power. Extend your computer’s battery life in any way you can. Choose battery life as the primary factor when shopping for a new laptop, or consider purchasing an additional battery for your existing one.Limited Power Outlets or They’re Too Far Away If long-lasting battery life isn’t feasible or if you need a backup, invest in an extension cord, an outlet multiplier, or an extension cord with multiple outlets at one end. 
This way, you can access any outlet, regardless of its distance or the crowdedness of your location. Too far away? An extension cord is the solution. Outlets all occupied? Ask someone if you can plug your multiplier/extension cord into one outlet. Assuming your work arrangement allows you the freedom to work anywhere: Are you ready to capitalize on the benefits of an effective mobile office? The advantages of a mobile office include reduced “office time,” greater flexibility, and a constant influx of fresh inspiration. To recap: To set up and begin using your effective mobile office, you’ll need:
A laptop (or equivalent mobile computer)
Mobile internet access
Headphones
Digital equivalents of physical necessities
A highly comfortable bag
With these five elements, you’ll be well on your way to utilizing your mobile office to work anytime and anywhere you choose. Now, go forth and start utilizing your mobile office. Do you have a mobile office? What are some of the most inspiring and coolest places where you’ve done your best work?
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