Last Updated on: 1st April 2022, 04:47 pm
There’s a reason why 65% of remote workers want to remain remote instead of returning to the office.
In the last couple of years, we realized that remote work comes with a lot of benefits. One of those is – you get to work and travel at the same time. Some people even took up the digital nomad lifestyle.
Whether you’re an experienced adventurer or you’re just starting your work-and-travel journey – let’s talk about the essentials. Here are 6 tips on how to handle working while traveling!
1. Adaptive Time Management
As a digital traveler, the very first thing you should take care of is decent time management. From jet lag to endless queues at the border, your time will be way more dynamic than you might think.
Get used to a calendar or a planner of some sort ASAP. Here’s how to start organizing your time better:
● Set fixed work hours – there’s no such thing as a workation. You’re either working or not, regardless of your location.
● Book your stay earlier – you can never be too early booking your hotel.
● Plan leisure activities in advance – you don’t have to work out every detail, but setting a time for exploration is important. And, if you’re staying somewhere for longer than a month, you should get to know the social dynamics of the place. Basic things like the work hours of pharmacies and shops in your vicinity.
2. Stay Safe
When we talk about safety on the go, preparation is key. The best way you can ensure your safety in a foreign country is to do some research beforehand. Start from small stuff like taxi or Uber availability. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the local map, or at least download it to your smartphone.
Also, reach out to local expat groups. Since a lot more people are working remotely, there’s a fair chance you’ll meet other digital nomads.
You can ask them about the local laws and what to do in case of emergencies (like theft). It is of utmost importance you always have control over where your personal documents are! Bonus points if you have access to your country’s embassy.
Even if you’re traveling solo you can make friends on the road!
3. Stay Safe on The Internet As Well
Just like you need to stay safe wherever you go physically, it’s important to keep cybersecurity in check as well. Chances are – you need an internet connection to work. And working remotely will make you connect to all sorts of unknown WiFi networks. To avoid getting malware through all the WiFi networks your laptop will connect to, you should:
● Always update your OS and antivirus programs;
● Use a VPN to enhance your safety online;
● Lock your computer before walking away from it;
● Make regular backups.
A few cybersecurity tweaks right now can save you from a lot of trouble down the road.
4. Establish a Routine
Balancing work and everything else is hard even with traditional office work. When you’re working and traveling, the only way you can escape from burnout is by establishing a routine.
Similar to the first point on this list, setting a routine will require some time management skills. But, it’s important to remember that it takes time, trial, and error to hit the sweet spot of the work-to-vacation ratio. Give yourself some time to develop a healthy schedule on the go.
5. Active Relaxation
Working from a remote location often makes us forget to do what we came for – relax. And we’re not talking about standard vacation stuff like tours and nightlife. It’s important to take some time for yourself. The stress that comes from traveling while you keep your work tasks in check is not to be underestimated.
A great way to get a solitary minute or two is to use the power of meditation with apps like Calm or YoursApp. These apps will guide you to practicing mindfulness every day, no matter where you are. A pair of earbuds and some time alone (away from the screen) will help you destress.
6. Dedicate Some Time to Explore
Lastly, we have to talk about the main benefit of the work-and-travel situation – exploring. While you prepare for the move, do some research on famous spots to visit. There’s no need to plan everything meticulously, but you should set aside the time for it. Also, try not to fall into the “oh, I’ve got time for that” trap – time flies when you’re in a foreign land.
And, if you’re planning for a longer stay, you’ll get the chance to meet the non-tourist side of the town you reside in. There lies the real beauty of the work-and-travel lifestyle.
Before You Depart
Leading the adventurous life of a digital nomad requires preparation. By not jumping into it blindly, you get to reap all the benefits of remote work, minimizing the downsides. You’ll have to lose some old habits and develop new ones. But it will be well worth it once you see how amazing your work-life balance has become.
You are in for a ride – enjoy it and stay safe!