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You plan to take time away from work because you want to clear some of the stress in your life, spend time with your friends or family, or to enjoy something or someplace new. However, there are times you need to bring your work with you. You may want to forget about it for a while, but you can’t. Here are several tips to help you work effectively while traveling and still enjoy your time away.
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Have the Right Tools with You
You can only work if you have the right tools in front of you. Before you leave your home or office, be sure that all of the files you need are on your laptop or mobile device, and in the Cloud, so you can access them. If you will solely rely on having your files in the Cloud, you will need to be sure that you have access to the internet when you are ready to work. Also, make sure you have all of the programs/apps on your device so that you can perform your work.
Set Up a Schedule
Have a list of tasks you plan to work on while traveling. Then, set time each day that you will dedicate to working which will be separate from your non-work time. If traveling with friends or family, let them know your schedule so that they know when you need to work, and when you will spend time with them.
Seek Out a Dedicated Workplace
Most people don’t work well with interruptions. Therefore, a place devoted to work is important for a busy person. A good workplace can be almost anywhere. It can be a corner in your hotel room, a quite lounge or other common area or simply under a poolside umbrella. While this is easy to do at home, this can be difficult when traveling. The key is to set a time for work, then find a perfect place for that time period.
Don't Forget Power
Most of your mobile devices don’t have a very long battery life. So, make sure you have a power cord for each them. You can charge while at the airport or when you get to your hotel room. You may end up stuck with a dead device at some point. But, it’s better than not being able to use your devices at all.
Bring Headphones
You may not be able to have a quite work space when you are traveling. Interruptions from family in your hotel or distractions while seated in a plane are likely to occur. Since that can be inefficient for your work efforts, bring headphones so you can listen to music which will drown out the noise.
Working is not about being busy; it’s all about being effective. No matter where you are traveling, you can manage parts of your work life. There are challenges involved in working while traveling. But if you know how to organize your work time and fun time, the results will be very rewarding.
As a travel agent, I think these are all great tips. I even found quiet space in an unused conference room on a cruise ship, last week.
ReplyDeleteWow! It's great to get validation from a respected travel agent. Thanks for the tip about finding an unused conference room on a cruise ship.
DeleteGreat timing. I will be travelling shortly, and though currently in the "transition" business, will need to keep abreast of business activities while away.
ReplyDeleteI also concur with all of David's points, and would like to add a few on communications:
1. Be sure you have good WiFi at your destination location(s). Or, be sure to have a cellular plan that is not only cost-effective, but actually works in your locations. The latter is particularly true is you are a Verizon customer and most of the world uses GSM service, and Verizon remains CDMA. And be sure to address any service changes needed BEFORE your trip.
1. Email - if you have good communications, you should be set.
2. Text - you may need a global texting "contract" with your provider in addition to cellular/voice and data. Blackberries can text among themselves at no addition charge, as can iPhones. Alternatives can include using services like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or Skype.
3. Voice - if you have a covering cellular plan, great. If not, you can use, for example, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype or FaceTime for voice calls. In these cases the other parties must be using the same application.
If you have a US number that can deliver a notification or the message if you miss a call (or you can check online) you could get a plan like Skype Unlimited Dialing (or another plan) to your region and call back using Skype to any phone as long as you are on WiFi.
4. Video - you can use, for example, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype or FaceTime. Again, the other party needs to have the same tool.
All terrific points, Sam. Thank you for taking the time to offer these.
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