The idea of working online while traveling wherever you want may sound like a dream. But it has become a growingly attractive concept that many people hope to make a reality. Ever since the pandemic hit, working remotely and traveling may have somehow turned into a new ‘norm’.
Evidently, this mainstream has been known by digital nomads all along: that as long as you have a laptop and internet for work, you can potentially work from anywhere! Although it’s not exactly a vacation, traveling while working remotely at the same time will offer you an amazing opportunity to break from routine, have some fun experience after work, and enjoy a change of environment –without frittering away valuable holiday allowance. Let’s face it, many people only receive very little annual holiday allowances and there are often limitations of when and how long workers can use their annual leave.
With remote working trips, however, you gain a new range of possibilities. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler who still makes a living while you’re away or you’re a novice at travel and remote work, we’ve put together expert advice for all those who wish to be successful in this endeavor.
Figure Out When and How You Work Best
This is the first step to achieve if you’re planning on working remotely while traveling. Knowing how, where, and when you’re most productive is vital in making the most of your time. Keep in mind that with remote work, you don’t have bosses or colleagues to supervise what you are doing, and traveling can offer a wonderful atmosphere. Thus, distractions are abundant.
If you want to effectively do remote work, give yourself the supplies to create a remote work routine or schedule that will maximize your productivity and stick with it. If you know you work best indoors, during daylight hours, without the buzz of others around you, do it then. Do you prefer working at coffee shops while you’re traveling with a dog? Or are you more of a night person who fancies working while having your toes in the sand? Find your working style and remember, there is no right or wrong workplace. Just make sure to look for an environment that works for you.
Consider House Sitting
Many people prefer working from cafes, hotels, and restaurants. But then again, these types of places may not be ideal for working. Some cafes, for example, don’t have power outlets and their espresso machines often create a lot of noise that makes it hard to have phone calls or close early. While some digital nomads recommend joining a coworking space, why not try house sitting? Not only does it reduce costs, but you still get a chance to enjoy a different culture.
Many house owners nowadays are looking for reliable house sitters. Although not everyone might have this on their radar, it’s a great alternative when you work remotely while exploring the world. Through house sitting, you’ll have a proper setting and all the comforts of “home” outside your lifestyle. You can wander a region in greater detail, as you stay longer in one location, before heading to the next destination. However, if you managed to bring your pet along with you, make sure that it is house trained as well especially when it comes to doing its own business. Dogs, in particular, may take forever when relieving themselves outdoors. If you happen to experience this event with your dog, you can read more about it over here.
Stay Connected Professionally and Personally
Whether you will be on-the-go or staying on an island most days, it’s still crucial to be present and communicative with your colleagues, managers, and loved ones. Prepare your mode of communication in advance so that you can avoid general misunderstandings or technical mishaps when you arrive at your travel spot. Most companies employ the use of conference calls and video chats at least once per week for everyone to stay updated on important announcements.
You might also be one of those people who want to figure out how to lead a relationship while you’re away from home or across multiple time zones or continents. If you are bound by these situations, it might take away the delight of your scenic view. However, the best action is to be available and flexible whenever possible since they are being flexible with your whereabouts too. Take note that keeping in touch virtually can bring a new life to your relationships, whether personal, professional or a combination of the two.
Pack Appropriately for Remote and Travel
Part of the excitement of being a digital nomad is that you don’t need much more than a laptop and phone to cover the job. However, if you’re going to do this in the long-term, or if your line of work demands reliable high-performance technology, you have to invest in the right equipment that will make your life easy and equip yourself with the proper tools that will make working possible.
Do your research about the countries where you’re traveling ahead of time to know what specific travel supplies you will need for your remote work trip. Be aware of the types of outlets in other continents. Take at least one spare adapter with you before you go, and perhaps you could purchase a portable charging bank as well. If you prefer a better atmosphere for your trip, buy some high-quality noise cancellation headsets for video meetings. If you’re unsure about the WiFi speeds from your travel destination, it might be better for you to invest in a pre-paid reliable hotspot for a quality internet connection. Having a stable internet connection is necessary for working remotely and traveling, so the expense will be worth it.
Keep Time Zones in Mind
Working remotely overseas or throughout different time zones introduces you to the understanding of how time zones can affect communication. Does your chosen country change clocks for Daylight Savings? If so, will it affect your meeting hours with your remote team or your client? Whatever it may be, it’s important to keep track of time zones. Luckily, most smartphones have settings in which you can set a clock for another time zone. Or you can opt to download an app instead which also includes dates. Once you have familiarized yourself with the time and date difference, you can plan to make it work to your advantage.
Do Your Research about WiFi Speeds
From sending files to downloading documents, WiFi speeds will definitely impact your pace at which you can work efficiently. Therefore, it pays to research WiFi speeds of which country you’re going especially if you plan to engage in Zoom meetings, teleconferences, or video calls. Some digital nomads had experienced traveling to China and Bolivia. While it depends on the city, they couldn’t even send an email. Even in places with free WiFi, some still get stuck having an internet issue.
Although most working spaces abroad are actually reliable regarding WiFi speeds but bear in mind that in developing countries, simple things like rain can already wear out the Internet for an hour or so. In this case, as you do your research, you could also use a speed test to check whether or not the internet is ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Downloads speeds should be over 15 Mbps while upload speeds need to be over 5 Mbps to be considered “good”.
Prioritize Work-Life Balance
Working remotely and traveling when the rest of your colleagues are elsewhere makes it difficult to visualize if their day has ended, or started. Limit your workday to a personal time-bound–unless you’re working on a deadline–that causes you to be most productive. Relating directly to time management, it’s necessary to concentrate on work-life balance so you can take time for yourself, enjoy your surroundings, and fit in some health and wellness workout or hobbies. Most digital nomads often limit their workdays to between six and nine hours with loads of breaks. Work should come first, but committing to not wearing yourself out is also equally important.
Final Takeaway
Remember working remotely while traveling can be challenging but for many people, it can also be an enriching experience. Take note of all these main tips and concerns before you begin your travel. Furthermore, make sure to have a backup plan for your backup plan. Anything can go wrong when traveling. Hence it is important to have alternatives when something does happen. It’s always best to prepare yourself for any hurdles that can occur during your trip. With the highlighted personality traits along with reliable quality products mentioned, you will undoubtedly be out in front during your remote working venture.
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