I’m seeing these pictures all around the place (primarily on websites that want to teach you how to achieve the ultimate “financial freedom”): people working on their laptops in hammocks, at the swimming pools, and at the beach (like 
the picture on the left which I’ve made a screenshot of on a website that teaches how to “do affiliate marketing”). The latter is actually a paradox to me. Even if we don’t talk about the sun that reflecting in the computer screen makes it pretty hard to work, for me personally a laptop is a tool. I sit at it for anywhere between 12 and 15 hours every workday, and for me to take it to the beach is akin to taking a hammer, or a drill driver with you… Work is work, while rest is rest. While I absolutely love what I do, and mainly because it is fun and creative, I don’t want to mix work with the beach. I do take my laptop with me wherever I go, but leave it at the hotel to do the work at the desk, leaving the beach for the fun of swimming and playing… Is it just me?
Trying to find out what other affiliate/Internet marketers think/do, here’s my newest poll:
Many thanks in advance for voting.
I’ve got a $3000 MacBook Pro, you couldn’t pay me to bring it to the beach… sand, salt air, water, people running around with food and drinks… no way. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’d bring a $200 netbook, either. I’m not a fan of wasting money replacing things due to my own stupidity 😉 lol
And I agree with the idea that rest time is rest time. If I want to go somewhere to relax, I don’t want to bring my laptop with me. I’ll bring it a lot of places, but when it’s time to kick back, I leave it at home.
Having fully lived the affiliate dream with an all singing and dancing year long round the world jolly I can categorically state that I never, ever once opened that lid anywhere near the sand.
More typically I would get up, do an hours work before breakfast, spend a day on a gorgeous beach and then spend an hour or two back at the hotel working again or catching up with friends (mostly the latter!) It was supposed to be a holiday after all.
From that year and the 15,00 pics we took, this was the closest I got to using my computer at the beach!
http://www.gdaycobbers.co.uk/byronbay-07/IMG_1493.jpg
I do! That is why I got a Toughbook 🙂 Anti glare screen, sand/water resistant. Works great.
Daniel, Kirsty, thank you for taking the time to comment. Sounds that I’m not the only one like that, after all…
The way the votes are spreading is interesting too.
Dan, is Toughbook a variety of Toshiba TubeTop?
Sure, I also take my laptop:
* When I go bungee jumping
* On horseback rides
* In the shower
If I had a nickel for every page I have seen with a guy using his laptop on the beach, next to a red Ferrari, while he is fanning out a handful of hundred dollar bills… well, I could afford to take my laptop to the beach so it could get destroyed, I guess 🙂
Ron, got a picture of you riding a horse and working on your laptop at the same time? LOL
“If I had a nickel for every page I have seen with a guy using his laptop on the beach, next to a red Ferrari, while he is fanning out a handful of hundred dollar bills…”
Those guys all use my proven system: http://earnamillionaday.com/ Seriously. It’s totally, absolutely for real and not fake in any way at all. Honest. Really.
Daniel, this is absolutely hilarious! Love that signature right on top of the finger holding the $1,000,000 check, and the text that says “this is not Photoshopped or altered in any way”:
You should be nominated for some kind of prize for this. For real!
wow! the check is priceless.
And a money skirt? Really?
( ok, I’d wear one… it would be a money kilt, though 😉
I love that it says it’s not photoshopped in anyway… it’s not only photoshopped, it’s BADLY photoshopped. The words aren’t even parallel to the line for cryin’ out loud!
Anyway, I agree… I’d never take my laptop anywhere near sand…I’d be leery to take my PHONE out on a super sandy beach.
A park, MAYBE. Seems like there’s more control there. If I had a pool in my yard, MAYBE I’d take it pool side. But sand and sea just seems like a recipe for disaster.
OK I’ll bite… The idea of bringing your laptop to a beach,cafe,coffee house or poolside is to get out of the house or get out of the office to get inspired and enhance your creativity. Obviously no one plans to sit at the pool or beach for 8 hours a day for 50 hours a week. I am a real estate investor and affiliate marketer and I love getting work done by the pool! I understand this is not for everyone because they are not disciplined enough to get ANY work done in a comfortable environment. However if you use proper leverage in managing your business it can easily be done.
I wish everyone nothing but success in their businesses and thank you for letting me a part of your day.
Tommy
PS @daniel through my affiliate marketing businesses i was able to pick up a macbook pro and I’ve got to say its awesome to work with at My Poolside Office!
The photo’s are not meant to be taken literally. They are for sending the message of the freedom you can achieve by working for yourself.
I know, Larry. In addition to what has already been said above, for me personally “freedom achieved by working for yourself” = laptopless beach. 🙂
I agree with Tommy. I live near the beach for a reason, and I would stay there if I could. I can’t work outside because my computer overheats and shuts down. 🙁 I would LOVE to have a computer I could take to the beach and be able to add working from the beach to my virtual office! Suggestions welcome.
I do take my laptop to the beach- I’d rather sit under an umbrella by the shore and do my work than do it at home in an office. Ah what freedom a laptop brings you!