For many people, travel is the ultimate form of enjoyment and wealth. If you’re able to spend your time traveling – being free and easy – that’s a powerful thing. But, for most of us, it’s not like we can just forget about work or go off the grid for weeks or months at a time without communicating with our employers, clients, or investments. You have to maintain some level of communication and connection with your work while enjoying personal travel.
In this article, as part of our general travel tips section, we want to take a look at several helpful tips you can use for staying connected to work while traveling. These aren’t the only tips, but they are very helpful and will allow you to maintain a certain level of engagement while still enjoying your travels.
1. Plan Ahead
Before you travel, it’s crucial to plan how you’ll manage your work responsibilities.
- Determine which tasks need your attention during your trip and set realistic goals for what you can accomplish.
- Communicate with your team and any clients about your availability, adjusting expectations if needed due to time zone differences or travel schedules.
- Ensure that everyone involved knows how to reach you in case of urgent issues. (And also make it clear what actually constitutes an “urgent” matter.)
- Have someone fill in for you while you’re gone. Even if you own a business, there are ways to outsource your responsibilities. For example, if you’re a landlord, you can hire a property manager to oversee day-to-day tasks. (The key here is to hire a local property management company that can actually oversee the property in-person. That means if your property is in Houston, Texas, for example, you should contact companies like Houston property management to outsource some of your chores. If you’re in New York City, they should be in NYC, etc.)
Planning ahead also means preparing a work schedule that aligns with your travel itinerary – identify times when you’ll be free to focus on work and stick to this schedule as closely as possible.
Watch this video for some great tips:
2. Use the Right Tools
To stay connected, you need the right tools. Invest in reliable, portable devices such as a lightweight laptop or tablet that suits your needs. You can also consider additional gadgets like a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, which can be a lifesaver in areas with unreliable internet service.
Before leaving for your trip, verify that all devices are equipped with the necessary software and apps to perform your job remotely. Cloud-based tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive, which allow you to access and share documents from anywhere, should already be logged into for easy access.
Depending on your job and the tools you use to communicate, apps like Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams should be pre-loaded with the proper notification settings enabled.
3. Stay Organized
While traveling, it’s easy for your usual routines to be disrupted. Keeping your work organized is more important than it’s ever been. Here are some tips:
- Utilize digital tools to keep track of tasks and appointments. Apps like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com can help you manage projects and deadlines efficiently, sending you reminders to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
- Keep your digital files organized in clearly labeled folders so you can quickly locate necessary documents or information when needed. Having items available at your fingertips will make things much less stressful when you’re traveling.
4. Ensure Reliable Internet Access
Reliable internet access is the backbone of staying connected while traveling. Research your destination ahead of time to find out the best options for internet access. Many hotels offer Wi-Fi, but it’s wise to have a backup plan, such as a data plan that works internationally or a local SIM card that provides ample data.
If you’re relying on public Wi-Fi, be sure to use a virtual private network (VPN) to secure your data and maintain privacy. A VPN encrypts your internet connection and secures your online activities from prying eyes, which is especially important when accessing sensitive work information.
5. Set Boundaries
To maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially when traveling for leisure, set clear boundaries for when you will be working. Let your colleagues and clients know about these boundaries and stick to them unless there’s an emergency. This helps manage expectations and allows you to enjoy your travel without constantly being pulled into work tasks.
Make use of ‘Do Not Disturb’ features on your phone and laptop to keep notifications at bay during your off hours. While there’s always something that could be done, you have to remember that the weight of the world does not fall on your shoulders.
6. Leverage Time Zone Differences
If you’re traveling across time zones, use the difference to your advantage. Early mornings or late evenings can be incredibly productive times if they fall outside the typical work hours in your home time zone. You can get a lot done while others are offline, meaning fewer interruptions. On the flip side, if your home time zone is active while you’re supposed to be sleeping, plan ahead by scheduling emails or messages to send during appropriate hours back home. This will allow you to get some rest while also getting work done.
Watch this video to learn more:
Make the Most Out of Your Travels
The aim is to stay connected while still enjoying your travels. You have to learn how to strike a balance. If you’re constantly on your phone or laptop making calls and checking emails, you’re not going to have nearly as much fun and enjoyment as you should. However, if you don’t check in with your work at all, you’re going to pay for it when you get home!
In order to make the most out of your travels, do your best to achieve some balance. Implement a few of these tips on your next trip and see how it works for you!
