The COVID-19 pandemic saw a shift to remote working for many office-based employees when it hit. Domestic and global travel was banned in most countries which initially made the prospect of being stuck working from home, with no escape, a less than favorable option for many. However, remote working proved successful, with teams being more productive than ever. It now looks like working from home is here to stay post-pandemic, allowing people the flexibility to work from any location in the world.
With travel now firmly back on the table, many people will be looking to explore the world for extended periods. For some, this will involve taking their day job with them to avoid using up all of their annual leave if they are remote working. Read on for four tips on how to stay productive when working remotely while you travel, whether that is for a short break away or a prolonged trip.
1. Set a workspace
While it might be tempting to lounge with your work laptop by the pool or on the beach all day, it is unlikely that doing this will ensure productivity. If you can, it would be best to establish a workspace where you can get into the zone to complete your job, free from distractions that are associated with downtime. Research co-working spaces in the location you have traveled to, or set up a workstation at a local café or in the holiday rental you are staying in to ensure productivity levels.
2. Set a schedule
Once you’ve determined where to work, you should try to get into a routine to fit your work around your travel activities. Pinpoint what time of day you work best, whether that’s first thing in the morning, in the afternoon, or late at night, and try to stick to these hours for working. Doing this and sticking to a schedule will ensure that you get the work done and have plenty of time to explore the country you are visiting while also looking after yourself. This is how you will achieve the perfect work-life balance.
3. Check your insurance
Insurance is important. Nothing will harm your work productivity while traveling more than something going wrong that can be easily fixed with the correct insurance if you didn’t bother to take out a policy. When traveling and working abroad, you must ensure you are covered for all eventualities. Health insurance will cover the costs of medical treatment if you fall sick or have an accident overseas. Taking out a travel insurance policy will protect you if your equipment is lost or stolen, if you miss your flight, or lose your luggage. In the eventuality that you are required to travel for work in the country you are vacationing in, you will need to get insurance for this. If you need to drive, you can get business car insurance in minutes. This way, whether you experience a breakdown or accident, you won’t have to fork out your own money to handle it. Get your company to look into this for you, or if you run your own business, do it yourself. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
4. Keep colleagues in the loop
If you intend to travel and work, it can be easy to forget about your colleagues back home. For remote working while traveling to be a success, you will need to stay in contact with your colleagues and managers to ensure you are hitting your targets and progressing on the right track. This can be done via email, instant messaging, video, and voice calls. If you are traveling solo, checking in with your colleagues can also help to reduce feelings of loneliness that you might experience. It is important to be mindful of time zones if you are traveling across state or abroad, as this could affect the times that you are expected to check in and your colleague’s availability to communicate with you.
There you have it; four simple tips to boost your work productivity while working remotely as you travel.
