Work-related travel can help you avoid burnout. Here's the Correct Way to Do It
If you wish to travel while working, you should aim to enjoy yourself as much as possible while causing the fewest disturbances. Plan your next workcation using these suggestions.
It's healthy to get out of town for more than just a few weeks of vacation each year. We'll talk about how to achieve that and keep your job in this article.
My wife and I wanted to find a way out because the recent global health crisis and social isolation had a negative impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. We therefore went on a "workcation" (work + holiday) soon after travel restrictions in our region were lifted. Without putting our jobs at jeopardy, we traveled by car from New York to Boston and relished several days of fantastic cuisine and activities.
Since then, we've had many workcations, but this one stood out because it prevented us from losing our minds at a time when it seemed like the world was going mad. In today's remote-first environment, workcations still aid in keeping us sane and preventing burnout.
I've had the good fortune to work from home for the most of the last 20 years, so I can tell when I need a break. But a lot of people require assistance adjusting to the work-from-home way of life. Since technology allows for the possibility of working from a hotel, coffee shop, or even the back of a truck, one significant advantage of remote work is the ability to travel practically whenever and wherever you choose. The best way to travel and still be productive while doing so is to aim to enjoy yourself as much as possible. Plan your next workcation by using these suggestions:
Make prudent plans for your journey and destination.
Because they carry their residences with them, van lifers can travel whenever they wish. The rest of us must consider prices, logistics, and accessible technology to make the most of our workcations.
Choose a hotel first that has excellent wi-fi first. During a recent work trip to Austin, the hotel's wi-fi was unreliable, making work impossible. Thankfully, we were able to connect to the fantastic and free wi-fi at the hotel across the street. Before renting a place, look up online reviews and ask the front desk about connectivity.
My family has the good fortune to reside in New York City, where a number of locations are accessible by car. We have saved a fair amount of money by opting for road trips rather than flights. However, traveling by air offers more flexibility in terms of destinations, and there are many ways to cut costs. Hopper, a travel agency, reports that Tuesdays and Thursdays are the least expensive days to make reservations. And Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest days to fly within the United States. Take a connecting flight to further reduce costs, and utilize the downtime to complete some work. Additionally, to avoid paying for checked bags, only pack your laptop bag and a carry-on.
Workcations that begin on Wednesdays and end on Tuesdays are my favorite. This also has the advantage of including a full weekend of activities. Just remember to bring your laptop and an extra battery for the beach or other times when you won't be near a power outlet.
Meetings should be scheduled at the beginning and end of your trip.
You are free to work at any time of day or night. However, conference calls will limit your mobility. Try to clear your meeting schedule as much as possible by scheduling meetings just before or after your trip. Then, try to schedule any remaining meetings in the early morning so that you can be flexible the rest of the day.
Be open and honest with your boss or clients.
Don't surprise your boss or clients with a palm tree backdrop. They may have a negative reaction to your trip and believe you are taking advantage of them. Instead, inform them of your plans and agree on expectations. Inform them that it is a work vacation and that you do not anticipate any disruptions in productivity other than the need for flexibility around meetings.
By the way, I'm serious about the palm trees. To avoid jealousy or distractions among your colleagues, use a plain backdrop for video conferences. The last thing you want is for people to say negative things about you when you can't defend yourself.
Set your travel companions' expectations.
You could spend your workcation with your spouse, romantic partner, friends, coworkers, children, or any combination of these people. Each of them will have different levels of flexibility, budgets, and interests that may or may not coincide with yours. So, before booking the trip, make sure to discuss your expectations with them. Make sure everyone is on the same page about when, how long, and how frequently you will attend the local festivities.
Take your business with you.
It's important to take time away from your coworkers, but you should also plan trips that include them. Pitch a workcation as a team-building activity to your team or company leadership.
This can be beneficial for companies that have gone nearly entirely remote in order to build rapport in person. People will appreciate the time away from home, and you will strengthen relationships and team bonds. Pre-book a co-working space for your entire team, and plan daily activities that you know the majority of people will enjoy.