The Art Of Working Everywhere
The Art of Working from Everywhere
How Remote is Remote?
From the frozen solitude of Shetland to the poker tables of Las Vegas, from Cape Town sunrises to Gibraltar's strategic shores—discover how one professional proved that geography is a choice, not a constraint.
Begin the JourneyListen to the Story
Dive deep into Ed's revolutionary approach to borderless work
The Office Is Dead: How Ed Reif Mastered Borderless Work and Extreme Location Independence
The Journey Across Continents
Working remotely from West Sussex, managing California clients. The discovery of "overemployed" workers sparks a radical idea.
The Setup: Ed works remotely for a California tech company, managing learning and development programs. UK mornings are free due to time differences. A former colleague offers a consulting opportunity that could become full-time UK-based work.
The Realization: If both jobs prioritize outputs over inputs—completed projects, prompt responses, meeting engagement—why couldn't both be managed simultaneously? The "overdelivery strategy" was born: underpromise and overperform, batch similar tasks, leverage time zones, master strategic presence.
The ultimate test: Could Silicon Valley productivity coexist with African adventure?
First Cape Town Stint: A "bucket list experiment" testing location independence systems. Table Mountain views, Atlantic Ocean swims, fiber internet faster than California offices. Enhanced creativity, improved focus, and global perspective emerged as unexpected benefits.
Second Visit (Validation): Cape Town becomes the testing ground for managing two full-time roles simultaneously. Natural time zone separation: UK job (6 AM - 2 PM), California job (2 PM - 10 PM). The "double-ping panic" crisis management skills were first developed here.
If it worked from the edge of the world, it could work anywhere.
The Ultimate Isolation Test: Shetland Islands—closer to Norway than mainland Scotland. Winter darkness, constant wind, and extreme weather. Yet stellar internet infrastructure powered by renewables proved more reliable than London offices.
Lessons Learned: Isolation became an asset for focus. Nature provided mental resets. Simplicity enhanced productivity. The tight-knit community taught that remote work enables new ways to belong. Deep focus states during storms completed projects in days instead of weeks.
Systems Development: Multiple contingency systems for internet, power, heat, and food. "Resilience through redundancy" became the mantra. "Having backup plans for your backup plans isn't paranoia—it's professionalism."
Mastering "stealth working" while traveling across Europe.
The Slow Transition: Deliberate travel by ferries, trains, and cars. Each stop became a temporary office testing mobile systems. France became the laboratory for "stealth working"—maintaining professional responsibilities while appearing to be on casual travel.
Technical Adaptation: Calibrating setup for European infrastructure: power adapters, mobile data plans, VPN stability, backup connectivity. Learning to time work bursts around French rhythms: morning emails with café noir, long lunches away from screens, focused afternoon sessions.
Gibraltar Selection: Choosing Gibraltar for legal clarity (British territory), infrastructure excellence, strategic location, and mild weather. The journey became a masterclass in mobile productivity.
Discovering that beautiful environments enhance rather than compromise professional performance.
Granada - Work-Wonder Integration: Working within walking distance of the Alhambra. Café culture with free tapas, reliable fiber internet, and the "Alhambra effect"—cultural richness inspiring professional creativity. Morning explorations, afternoon California meetings, evening city immersion.
Marbella - Lifestyle Optimization: Beach proximity for mental resets, international community, year-round outdoor work possibilities. Testing beach walks for problem-solving and outdoor video calls with careful lighting management.
Performance Enhancement: Measurable improvements in creativity, focus, and client relationships. Proof that inspiring environments energize rather than distract from professional excellence.
Establishing the perfect winter headquarters for borderless work.
Strategic Positioning: British infrastructure with Spanish climate. Compact efficiency—walking from end to end in 30 minutes. Rock-solid internet, familiar financial systems, English as primary language, EU proximity.
Cross-Border Lifestyle: Morning coffee in Gibraltar, lunch in Spain, evening exploration across cultures. Professional integration optimized for UK, East Coast US, and West Coast US schedules simultaneously.
Crisis Management Excellence: Successfully coordinating major system failure during February storm from Gibraltar apartment. Colleagues never suspected the Mediterranean location during the Atlantic crisis resolution.
Using professional development as adventure camouflage.
Las Vegas - DevLearn & Poker: Conferences became perfect alibis. DevLearn provided legitimate professional development while poker tournaments offered parallel skill development: reading people, managing information, emotional control, strategic patience—all directly applicable to remote work.
London Tech Events: Maintaining UK professional visibility without international travel logistics. Strategic event selection for high-value networking, industry intelligence, and photo opportunities that reinforced the UK-based narrative.
Professional ROI: Dual benefit streams—legitimate industry knowledge plus unconventional skill development. The poker-conference integration proved that effective professional development often happens outside traditional frameworks.
Testing absolute limits: managing crises from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Ultimate Question: What's the most remote place to work while maintaining perfect connectivity? Answer: International waters on a cruise ship, unreachable except by helicopter.
Ship as Office: Floating cities with infrastructure rivaling land-based offices. High-speed satellite internet, climate control, 24-hour services, and complete isolation from traditional distractions.
Crisis Management at Sea: Successfully coordinating major system outage from ship's business center. Colleagues managed crisis response never knowing their coordinator was in the middle of the Atlantic. Proved professional excellence achievable under the most unconventional circumstances.
Perfecting professional invisibility through production design mastery.
Psychology of Perception: Humans notice changes but ignore consistency. Every video call became performance art with meticulous production design: neutral backgrounds, professional lighting, strategic camera angles, audio discipline.
Technical Excellence: Portable backdrop systems, LED lighting kits, directional microphones, and environmental control. The goal: make location fade into background so competence could take center stage.
Trust Investment Results: Obsessive reliability through ahead-of-schedule deliveries, quick crisis responses, and consistent professional appearance built trust that made location irrelevant. Managers stopped asking where and started focusing on results.
The Learning Journey
People don't care how long you sit at your desk; they care whether the work gets done.
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The Fundamental Shift: Moving from measuring time to measuring results transforms your entire relationship with work. Focus energy on deliverables that create measurable value, communicate progress through completed work, and build reputation through consistent results rather than visible effort.
What others see as complications, smart workers use as competitive advantages.
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The Strategic Advantage: UK-California gap created guaranteed personal time every morning. Pre-loading work made me appear superhuman. Flying east meant arriving rested for workdays. Time zones became tools for extending effective day length and creating professional edge.
Professional invisibility isn't about hiding—it's about making geography irrelevant.
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Production Design Mastery: Consistent backgrounds, professional lighting, and audio discipline. Every video call became a performance. The goal: make location fade into background so competence could take center stage. Neutral walls from Gibraltar looked identical to West Sussex.
Running multiple careers requires orchestration, not just organization.
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Crisis Choreography: Managing simultaneous technical crises across different companies while maintaining professional appearance. Triage by impact, keep stories straight, use time zones wisely. When both jobs caught fire, years of systems paid off.
High-stakes card games and remote careers require identical skill sets.
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Strategic Parallels: Reading virtual tells in video calls, managing information asymmetry, bankroll management for careers, emotional control under pressure. Las Vegas poker tables became professional development laboratories.
Location independence isn't a hack—it's the early chapter of work's future.
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Inevitable Evolution: Geographic constraints are collapsing. Talent competes globally. Trust replaces supervision. Results matter more than hours. The future belongs to those who master borderless professional excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions
The central philosophy is that "your office isn't a place. It's a state of mind." Ed advocates for a borderless approach to work, asserting that professional success and personal adventure are not mutually exclusive. The core belief is that where one works matters less than what one produces, and that in a connected world, geography should not dictate possibilities. This is achieved by mastering output over optics, embracing professional invisibility, and utilizing systems and discipline to create a life where work and adventure are integrated.
Ed describes this as "orchestration" rather than deception, termed "overemployed." He achieves this through an "Overdelivery Strategy" which includes:
- Underpromising, Overperforming: Setting conservative timelines to build buffer time while delivering high-quality work
- Batching Similar Tasks: Grouping tasks like emails and updates into specific time blocks for focused output
- Leveraging Time Zone Differences: Using the time gap (UK-California) to appear to work at "superhuman speed"
- Mastering Strategic Presence: Being responsive to urgent requests without being constantly available
This allows him to exceed expectations in both roles while working roughly the same total hours, just distributed more efficiently.
The secret is becoming independent of any specific environment, rather than trying to replicate a traditional office setup everywhere. This involves:
- Minimalist Mobile Office: Everything fits in a backpack—laptop, noise-canceling headphones, portable ring light, etc.
- Cloud-Based Everything: All work accessible from any device, anywhere
- Professional Invisibility: Consistent, location-agnostic persona with neutral backgrounds and professional lighting
- Trust Investment: Performance that earns the freedom to work from anywhere
The key is making location irrelevant so colleagues focus on results, not geography.
Ed views time zones as an asset, not a hassle. Working for California companies from the UK created significant advantages:
- Guaranteed Personal Time: UK mornings free for exercise, exploration, and personal projects
- "Time Travel" Effect: Completing deliverables while California sleeps, appearing exceptionally efficient
- Strategic Scheduling: Mapping optimal availability windows for different locations
- Crisis Response: Being awake during California's "off hours" for rapid emergency response
This turns time zones into a competitive edge rather than a complication.
West Sussex, UK, serves as Ed's strategic anchor, providing:
- Administrative Simplicity: One address for banking, taxes, insurance, and official documents
- Professional Credibility: Stable address that employers understand and trust
- Legal Clarity: UK residency with straightforward tax obligations
- Psychological Stability: A place to return for "maintenance cycles" and strategic planning
This foundation doesn't limit freedom—it enables it by providing stability within the nomadic lifestyle.
Ed calls this "The Background Game"—production design rather than acting. Key principles include:
- Neutral Background: Portable, professional backdrop that reveals nothing about location
- Consistent Lighting: Ring light ensuring professional appearance regardless of environment
- Strategic Camera Angles: Tight cropping to prevent glimpses of surroundings
- Audio Discipline: Anticipating and muting ambient noise (seagulls, traffic, etc.)
This meticulous approach builds trust and makes location irrelevant to professional reputation.
Ed believes the shift towards borderless work is irreversible, predicting:
- 50% of knowledge work will be location-independent by default within a decade
- Traditional offices will become collaboration spaces rather than primary work locations
- Geographic pay differentials will largely disappear for skilled remote work
- Location independence will be considered a standard job benefit
He emphasizes developing location-independent skills, building global networks, mastering remote collaboration, and understanding international implications to thrive in this evolving landscape.
Ed distills his experience into key insights:
- Output Trumps Optics: Focus on deliverables and results, not physical presence
- Invisibility is a Superpower: Make location irrelevant to professional relationships
- Redundancy Enables Reliability: Have backup systems for everything critical
- Time Zones Are Tools: Exploit time differences for professional advantage
- Systems Enable Freedom: Disciplined processes create genuine flexibility
- Community Exists Everywhere: Engage intentionally to avoid isolation
- Sustainability Requires Boundaries: Clear work-life separation prevents burnout
The overarching lesson: true professional freedom requires more discipline and preparation, not less.
Executive Briefing
The Borderless Worker Revolution
Central Thesis: "Your office isn't a place. It's a state of mind." Professional excellence is independent of geography when supported by proper systems, strategic thinking, and disciplined execution.
Core Philosophy:
- Output Over Optics: Results matter more than hours logged or physical presence
- Professional Invisibility: Making location irrelevant through consistent performance
- Time Zone Arbitrage: Converting geographic challenges into competitive advantages
- Systems Enable Freedom: Disciplined processes create genuine flexibility
The "Overemployed" Strategy:
Managing multiple full-time careers through orchestration rather than deception:
- Underpromise and overperform to build buffer time and reliability reputation
- Batch similar tasks across jobs for focused output windows
- Leverage time zone differences for "superhuman" efficiency appearance
- Master strategic presence—responsive when needed, unavailable when productive
Geographic Journey Highlights:
- Cape Town: Proof of concept—Silicon Valley productivity with African adventure
- Shetland: Endurance test—proving systems work from Earth's edge
- Gibraltar: Strategic base—British law, Spanish climate, global connectivity
- Cruise Ships: Ultimate test—managing crises from the Atlantic Ocean
- Las Vegas: Integration mastery—conferences as poker tournament alibis
Future Predictions:
The shift to borderless work is irreversible, driven by technology and economic evolution. Within a decade:
- 50% of knowledge work will be location-independent by default
- Geographic pay differentials will disappear for skilled remote work
- Traditional offices will become collaboration spaces, not primary work locations
- Location independence will be standard job benefit, not unusual perk
Technical Infrastructure & Systems
The Minimalist Mobile Office (Fits in One Backpack):
- Computing: Laptop with global warranty plus backup device
- Connectivity: Mobile hotspot device with international data plans
- Audio: Noise-canceling headphones and directional USB microphone
- Visual: Portable ring light and LED fill panels for consistent lighting
- Power: UPS backup, portable batteries, universal adapters
- Background: Foldable, wrinkle-resistant backdrop with clips
- Positioning: Adjustable laptop stand for consistent camera angles
- Input: Wireless mouse (compact, reliable)
The "Background Game" - Production Design Principles:
- Neutral Is Power: Clean, professional backdrop revealing nothing about location
- Lighting Creates Reality: Professional lighting making any space look like corporate office
- Consistent Camera Angles: Slightly above eye level, tight crop preventing environmental reveals
- Audio Discipline: Anticipating ambient noise—seagulls, traffic, foreign languages
- Visual Continuity: Same "wall," same lighting, same professional Ed every call
Internet Redundancy Strategy:
- Primary: Local fiber or high-speed broadband at accommodation
- Secondary: Mobile hotspot with local SIM and international roaming
- Tertiary: Satellite internet backup (Starlink or similar) for remote locations
- Emergency: Nearby cafés, co-working spaces, libraries researched in advance
- Monitoring: Real-time connectivity testing and speed monitoring tools
Crisis Management Protocols:
- Triage Methodology: Impact assessment, recovery time, stakeholder visibility, cascade risk
- Communication Templates: Pre-written status updates for various emergency scenarios
- Load Sharing Procedures: Managing simultaneous crises across multiple employers
- Context Switching Systems: Mental boundaries between different technical problems
- Recovery Protocols: Post-crisis analysis and system improvement procedures
Time Zone Optimization Tools:
- Scheduling Apps: Multi-zone calendar management and meeting coordination
- Pre-loading Strategy: Completing deliverables ahead of schedule for efficiency appearance
- Availability Windows: Mapped optimal working hours for each geographic location
- Strategic Unavailability: Planned focus periods without interruption
Location Research Framework:
- Infrastructure Assessment: Internet speeds, power reliability, backup options
- Legal Considerations: Tax implications, visa requirements, business regulations
- Cost Analysis: Total living expenses vs income optimization opportunities
- Professional Integration: Time zones, cultural factors, networking opportunities
- Contingency Planning: Exit strategies and emergency procedures
Strategic Lessons Learned
Professional Development:
- Trust is Currency: Professional relationships based on results outlast those based on presence
- Systems Enable Freedom: Disciplined processes create genuine flexibility
- Crisis = Opportunity: Handling difficulties remotely builds exceptional credibility
- Invisibility is Power: Making location irrelevant maximizes professional options
Personal Growth:
- Time as Design Material: Conscious time architecture improves life quality
- Environment Affects Performance: Inspiring locations enhance rather than distract from work
- Community Exists Everywhere: Human connection transcends geography with intentional effort
- Sustainability Requires Boundaries: Success demands clear work-life separation regardless of location
Economic Insights:
- Geographic Arbitrage: Strategic location choices optimize cost-of-living vs income ratios
- Diversification Benefits: Multiple income streams reduce single-point-of-failure risks
- Investment in Infrastructure: Quality equipment pays for itself through increased reliability
- Value-Based Pricing: Results-focused work commands premium compensation
Future of Work Implications
Inevitable Trends:
- Geographic Decoupling: Work location becoming completely divorced from work quality
- Trust-Based Management: Output measurement replacing time-based supervision
- Global Talent Competition: Companies recruiting worldwide rather than locally
- Lifestyle Optimization: Workers choosing locations based on life quality vs job availability
Organizational Adaptations:
- Results-focused performance evaluation systems
- Distributed team collaboration technologies
- Flexible employment arrangements and project-based work
- Cultural development strategies for remote teams
Individual Preparation:
- Develop location-independent skill sets
- Build global professional networks
- Master remote collaboration and communication
- Understand international tax and legal implications
- Create financial systems supporting geographic flexibility
Predicted Timeline:
- 2025-2027: 50% of knowledge work becomes location-independent by default
- 2027-2030: Geographic pay differentials largely disappear for skilled remote work
- 2030+: Location independence considered standard job benefit rather than unusual perk
Key Insights Revealed
Working from "vacation destinations" often increases productivity
Inspiring environments enhance creativity and motivation. Reduced traditional distractions improve focus. Control over environment and schedule optimizes energy management. The key is maintaining professional discipline while leveraging environmental advantages.
Professional relationships strengthen with distance when built on results
Geographic separation forces focus on output rather than activity. Video calls become more intentional and efficient. Over-delivery creates stronger impressions than hallway conversations. Trust built on performance outlasts trust built on proximity.
Successfully managing emergencies remotely creates exceptional professional reputation
When you solve problems from challenging locations without colleagues knowing, you build reputation for reliability under any circumstances. Crisis management becomes competitive advantage. Difficult situations become trust-building opportunities.
Geographic time differences become competitive professional advantages
UK-California gap provided guaranteed personal time and made work appear superhuman. Flying east meant arriving rested for important meetings. Strategic scheduling across zones expanded effective working hours and provided off-hours coverage advantages.
True flexibility requires more discipline and preparation, not less
Redundant internet connections, backup power systems, crisis response protocols, and professional communication templates. Freedom isn't the absence of constraints—it's having systems that make constraints irrelevant.
Why wait until 65 to live in beautiful places and have interesting experiences?
Location independence integrates work and adventure throughout life rather than deferring satisfaction. Time wealth—control over how you spend hours—proves more valuable than financial wealth beyond comfort thresholds.