After 2020, there’s no doubt remote work is here to stay. Still, working remotely from your home isn’t the only trend rising in popularity. More and more people are starting to understand the flexibility of remote work, which means they’re beginning to explore traveling opportunities while working abroad. If you’re looking to travel and work remotely, keep these tips in mind to stay productive.
1. Invest In The Right Work Station
The single most important thing you need to work efficiently from anywhere in the world has the right workstation. Investing in the right equipment can make a huge difference. While it depends on the type of work you do, you will likely need these work tools:
- A powerful laptop
- Technology backpack
- Battery pack
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Wi-Fi hotspot
2. Figure Out Your Daily Schedule
It can be very daunting to spend most of the day exploring your traveling destination – mainly if you’ve never been there. But, this can easily hinder your ability to meet deadlines, remain productive, and stay focused.
To avoid this, figure out a daily schedule that works for you. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a 9-5 schedule, but you still need to find a way to log in your daily hours. Of course, it will all depend on your work arrangements. Consider speaking to your boss about some flexibility if you’re planning to travel while working. Try to break your day in a way that allows for productive work and exploration time so that you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
3. Don’t Forget to Adjust to Time Zones
Depending on where you’re traveling, your time zones might change. If this is the case, consider if adjusting the time zones for work is possible. For example, if your office is based in Miami and you’ll be traveling to London, there’s a 5-hour difference that can significantly impact your workday, not to mention your tourism plans.
4. Dedicate a Space to Work
It doesn’t matter where you go; having a dedicated space to work is critical for productivity. Sure, you can open your laptop by the beach, at a park, or a local coffee shop with the hopes of getting your work done. In reality, these are places with numerous distractions and not the right setup for work. In the end, you end up procrastinating more and failing to meet your daily tasks.
Consider setting a small desk space in your hotel room to dedicate to work. If you’re taking your job outdoors, look for quiet areas that don’t have that many distractions.
5. Learn the Legalities of Long-term Stays
Traveling for work for a week or two won’t be a significant problem. But, if you choose to stay for 4-months or over 6-months, you’ll have to understand the legalities and immigration procedures to make this happen. Luckily, after 2020, many countries have recognized the increased interest in work tourism. Many offer special visas and even perks and benefits for remote workers to choose their countries as destinations. Refer to the country’s immigration website to learn more about their offerings and procedures.
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Courtesy of Geraldine Orentas, a writer with Happy Writers, Co. in partnership with Faxage, an online faxing service for traveling professionals.
