Vacations are a time to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, but with an unprecedented number of companies now providing an option for their employees to work remotely, you may find yourself virtually punching the clock while kicking back at the beach. Now, thanks to the availability of digital workspaces, it’s feasible to hop on video chats, respond to time-sensitive emails or even complete and submit projects no matter where you are in the world.
The harmony between your work and personal life is an already complex balance to achieve when at home. To take your work on the road with the goal to accomplish it all requires forethought and preparation, but with the right steps, you can work from even temporary homes in whatever time zone your wanderlust takes you.
- Mind Your Location
Some locations are more work-friendly than others. If you intend to work full days while on vacation, it’s crucial that your destination has the necessary conditions in which to accomplish what you need to get done. Assess what sorts of responsibilities you’re going to take on while out of the office and what kind of an environment you need to complete each assignment.
Whether you set off for an adventurous road trip across the country or take an exciting Antarctica cruise, be certain that you will have the space and amenities to adequately read, process and respond to office correspondences. Consider potentially spotty wifi connections, access to electrical outlets and cell service.
- Prepare Ahead of Time
Aside from setting up an automated out-of-office email reply and submitting your requests for time-off, if you’re intention is to dedicate a few hours each day for work tasks, there are several things to add to your pre-vacation to-do list. Check in with your coworkers and let them know your intended work hours while on vacation, minding any time-zone differences, and let whomever you’re traveling with know about your work duties, too.
If possible, put in extra hours ahead of time so you won’t be stressed about meeting important deadlines while trying to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime hike or excursion. You likely won’t accomplish as much as you would on a typical work day, and sometimes travel hiccups even prevent you from accomplishing the day’s to-do list, so the greater cushion you can provide for yourself, the more relaxing your vacation can be.
- Pack Your Work Essentials
Not only should you tuck your daily essentials into your suitcase, but you should also pack a few extra tools in case you will need to open your work computer in an unideal location.
Try to pack essentials such as,
- Laptop
- Chargers for all devices
- External hard drives
- A notebook and pen
- Noise canceling headphones
- Copies of important work documents
- Electronic cleaning equipment, such as microfiber cloths and dusting tools
- Budget Your Time
You took a vacation to get some much needed rest and recuperation, so don’t spend too many hours each day glued to your work devices and risk missing out on memorable tours and sightseeing opportunities. Determine how long you’ll need to make a significant gain with each assignment and carve out that time when it’s most ideal. Your work schedule while on vacation will very likely vary from day-to-day dependent upon what your travel itinerary looks like. Be smart about the ways you use your time as well, only doing what is necessary such as checking only the most important emails and attending vital meetings.
- Make Sure to Enjoy Yourself
Work is your livelihood, but don’t let it significantly interfere with your travel plans. Try to play at least as hard as you work while on the road, if not more. Seize as many opportunities to hit the pavement and see all that your destination has to offer. It isn’t often that you get to travel, so make the most of it.
If possible, take some days to fully savor your time off. As long as you stay flexible, adaptable and responsive, you can carry out the important duties at the office while enjoying as much well-deserved relaxation as you possibly can.