The pandemic altered many aspects of life as we know it, including our places of employment. People now have the independence and time back in their lives that they would have otherwise lost while commuting to work, thanks to working remotely from home. We can now concentrate on our personal lives, hobbies, and relationships because we work from home. Many businesses still permit employees to work from home. Some have even switched to a permanently remote work environment. Many remote employees are taking their “office” on the road for a work-from-anywhere road trip, while some are imagining ways to redesign their at-home workspace.
One of the best things about remote work is being able to work from anywhere as long as you have your laptop and can get a secure internet connection. This superpower enables digital nomads and remote workers to spend as much time as possible living like locals wherever they like.
Tips on road-tripping while working remotely
Table Of Contents
Make sure you plan very well
Working remotely while traveling can be difficult, whether checking something off your bucket list or finding yourself out of town without warning. There will be no clues from your routine or office to help you develop a productive frame of mind. Additionally, the novelty of a new place and all of its distractions can easily ruin your concentration capacity. Therefore, it is best to plan your strategy before departing. Sure, you could get tempted to wing things and approach your time away in a laid-back manner. You might not get to do as much sightseeing, parasailing, or eating as you’d like if you don’t plan for all the subtleties of travel and employment.
Are you going to be checking in and checking out
One of the most significant corporate advantages every remote team should receive is unlimited vacation days. If you’re going to be traveling for a while, there might be restrictions on when you can check in during this time off. Therefore, review the work policy of your organization to learn what is necessary for you. Discuss with your management how you’ll manage your remote team, how many hours you’ll need to clock in, how frequently you’ll need to check in, etc. By figuring this out in advance, you can exercise flexibility, adaptability and resourcefulness. All transferrable abilities enhance your appearance.
Communicate with Colleagues
Be present and open-minded when speaking with clients and coworkers. It’s simple for folks who work together in person to forget about professionals who are one of the few remote workers in an otherwise non-remote company. Offer thorough emails, phone conferences, or video conferences so that you are the best at keeping in touch with coworkers.
Workload allocation should take into account travel plans
Sixteen hours each day are available for your use (excluding eight hours of sleep). Your ability to organize your schedule effectively will determine how you use that time off. After all, you want enough leeway to see and do everything, finish your duties, and embark on a few unforeseen side missions.
Check out the work you have coming up. Examine your schedule before and throughout your trip to see what needs to get done. Before you go, try to finish as many tasks as you can. It would be best if you plan everything on your trip calendar. Set up a timer for your workday right away. Analyze how long it takes you to finish recurring chores at work. Utilize tools like Toggl to track your work hours by activity, project, or client (like debugging or responding to emails). Knowing the typical duration of an action will help you make an educated guess on how much time you should allocate to it in your schedule.
Before visiting any locations, attractions, etc., check their hours. Do some research and note how long people often spend there and the busiest days and hours. Making a spreadsheet with all the open times during the week for popular destinations like museums, theme parks, aquariums, well-regarded dining establishments, etc., is helpful.
Bring out your weekly planner or calendar
It’s time to put the puzzle together now that you know what is on your to-do list and how long each job should take on average. Decide first which days and hours you’ll be traveling, seeing family, or taking time off from work. Schedule these intervals in your calendar. Next, divide the time you need to complete your chores into shallow and deep labor blocks. Plan these tasks around your schedule.
Locate a prospective workspace that supports your preferred method of productivity.
The fact that you can use your laptop wherever you are does not imply that all workstations are created equal. No matter how much time you want to spend working on the road, you require an ergonomic workspace that allows you to focus on your work without interruptions. And this indicates that the compact desk in your hotel room or the small tables in a neighborhood café or eatery might not be adequate. So, before you arrive in your new location, try scouting a few potential job opportunities. To locate a space that stimulates and inspires you while maintaining mental focus. Some folks get their energy from the humming background noise of a noisy, busy coffee shop. Others find them excessively noisy or distracting to make phone calls.
When traveling and working remotely, pack wisely
Working remotely when traveling is a different animal altogether because you need to bring the necessary equipment. You’re not alone if you hurriedly packed for a distant work trip and overlooked a few essential items needed for work, not leisure. We created this tried-and-true list of necessities on a trip if you intend to work remotely because of this.
Reduce interruptions to maximize productivity
Remove the obstacles to working remotely and producing like you would with any other endeavor you put your attention into. Get some noise-canceling headphones if you have trouble concentrating in noisy settings or are easily distracted. Use the energy of individuals around you to keep yourself motivated. Eliminate the minor deterrents that prevent you from working productively at your remote workplace.
Consider working from home as a flexible option rather than a time-saving one.
Creating your ideal remote work plan while you are away from home is one of the simplest and most effective strategies to be productive while working remotely. Clearing an area at a table with a comfy chair where you’ll be productive might help you create a “workspace at home,” whether in your home, apartment, or hotel. While working in bed may feel most comfortable to some, it’s not the healthiest option for your body. Always take pauses from your screen, stand up, stretch, go for a walk, and sit in an ergonomic chair.
Check your company’s security policy and your internet requirements again.
The free WiFi at your hotel or Airbnb, cafes, and public areas are all examples of places where you should rely on something other than other people’s WiFi. First of all, you might need more time to finish all of your chores. Additionally, hackers are known to target them. Some small businesses outright forbid their staff from using them. Check the internet security regulations of your company again before leaving.