Like all other freelancers, I rely on stable wifi for my workday. I get very cranky when something interrupts that. However, Canadian winters and power outages are a typical combination, resulting in unreliable wifi. So, what are you supposed to do if you lose wifi during a work day? Do you give up and go back to bed? Run to a neighbour’s house in your PJs with your laptop? Here are the real-life answers to how to work with no wifi.

Wifi loss is not the end of the day

This may be a bit depressing. A loss of wifi could be an excuse for you to take some much-needed time off. I totally get that. But, this is sadly not the case. It’s just the opportunity to pivot. Here are my tried-and-tested tips to give you a productive, wifi-free day! While none of these are fool-proof, they can help a lot!

• Prepare in advance: Okay, guys, easy. Sure, not all wifi issues are going to be planned. However, there are many potential wifi outages that you can plan for. For example, moving to a new home and waiting for service hook-up. Expecting a storm that often brings power outages, spotty cell service, etc. If unreliable or wifi loss is possible or expected, prepare by screenshotting your current orders and making your documents/projects available offline to work as uninterrupted as possible. As much as possible, do your wifi-reliant tasks before the potential or expected outage.
• Touch-base with customers: If there is an unplanned wifi outage and you can’t prepare, you should first touch-base with your customers. Send texts, emails, etc., to inform them about the outage and assure them that you will do your best to keep up with uninterrupted service, delivery, etc. You can use your smartphone to do this using mobile data for email and apps. If you don’t have data, ask a family member, roommate, or neighbour to create a hotspot specifically for you to contact your customers.
• Be ready to relocate if needed: If you have a long-term outage (wifi or power), you’ll probably have to find a better spot to go after so long. For wifi, you can try a library, an internet cafe, or just about any mall or shop. If you have a complete power outage and your computer battery is struggling, you may want to try a friend’s house or even a hotel to give you and your professional self some support.

Productivity is a state of mind

Unfortunately, I’m experienced with losing power and wifi during the day. As frustrating and jarring as it is, you don’t have to lose your workday and feel stressed about that. While you will need wifi for remote jobs such as freelancing, you don’t have to have your entire professional world screech to a halt when you lose it for one reason or another.

What do you think? Do you have any tips you’d like to add? Do you disagree with any of mine? Let me know!