Workforce
Goodstart employee overcomes COVID-19 challenges by embracing “digital nomad” life
Freya Lucas
Nov 11, 2020
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Conrad Hamill, who works as a strategist of organisational transformation for Goodstart Early Learning, as well as being a professional cellist, has embarked on a journey of change and discovery in 2020, with the full support of his employer.
After he found himself stuck in lockdown in March, while visiting his rural home town in Victoria, Mr Hamill began to re-evaluate his priorities, both personal and professional, as many have in the face of the unprecedented events of this year.In June, once restrictions eased, Mr Hamill made a decision to sell most of his belongings, pack what was left into his car, and hit the road to start a new life as a “digital nomad”.
Speaking with The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH), Mr Hamill said the two months he spent in lockdown made him realise that working remotely while travelling and living a minimalist lifestyle was something he wanted to pursue.
“It was something I’d been so interested in and I’d watched YouTube videos but never thought I could make it work with my life,” he told SMH. “COVID-19, as tragic as it has been, really gave me the opportunity to rethink.”
Working closely with Goostart to establish some ground rules about his plan, which include booking stays of several weeks at different locations. In order to make the program work, Mr Hamill must ensure he has an established workspace, regular check ins, and strong internet.
So far he has enjoyed time on New South Wales Central Coast, at Nelson Bay, and is currently in a cabin at Byron Bay, while waiting for Queensland to re-open its borders.
Mr Hamill’s plan is one which is on the minds of lots of young Australians, according to a recent YouGov survey of 1,000 Australians, which found that four in five full-time workers would take a “workcation” if possible, with many open to the idea of going away for up to six months, with about three quarters of those surveyed believing that such a lifestyle would help improve their work-life balance and productivity.
Achieving that balance since June has been much easier for Mr Hamill, who said he finds himself more creative and focused at work, and spending more time in nature outside of working hours.
“I finally have enough time in my days to be able to do everything I want to do. I don’t feel constantly like I have a weight on my shoulders,” he told SMH. “It was like a dream come true.”
To read the original coverage of this story, please see here.
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