We all love to take some time off and have a carefree vacation or holiday, but in today’s busy world, this is getting harder and harder to pull off. Does this mean you should skip that dream trip and stay in the office? No way! In this article, I will give you some tips on staying productive at work no matter where in the world you are. I will also show you a few ways to manage your time better to keep you off your computer in the hotel and on the beaches, slopes, or wherever you choose to spend your precious time off.
1. Plan Ahead
One of the important things to do to keep up with work while traveling is to plan ahead. This means preparing all the essential items you need to bring, such as a mobile phone, a laptop, chargers, and other electronic devices you might use for work. Additionally, you should finalize your schedule and travel itineraries to get things done on time. Make sure you’ve booked your hotel accommodation in your destination as well. This way, your trip will be hassle-free.
Moreover, check all your travel documents to avoid airport check-ins and boarding problems. For example, if you live in a country that isn’t part of the Visa Waiver Program, you’ll need to secure a US visa before entering the US. If you need advice on getting a particular visa, such as an investor or an employee one, you can consult an immigration lawyer from a reputable firm, such as Flynn Hodkinson.
Once everything is planned and ready, you’ll be able to stay focused at work and be more productive during your trip.
2. Follow Your Schedule
This may go against your idea of a vacation is, but it can help you maximize your time off. Try to give yourself a set period to get some work done every day. This may also be very helpful with time zone differences if you need to stay in contact with colleagues or clients. The hardest part of this may be sticking with your schedule, so follow it. Don’t let your work time run into your “you” time.
3. Hire A Virtual Assistant
This one may not be for everyone, but an excellent virtual assistant can be worth its weight in gold. With today’s connectivity and progress in many developing countries, finding a virtual assistant is easier than ever. I have extensive experience with this and cannot speak highly enough about some of the people I have found in the Philippines. They speak perfect English, are well educated, and are very tech-savvy. With sites like onlinejobs.ph, you’ll find the right assistant to meet your needs—someone who can handle mundane tasks, like replying to emails and making calls to highly skilled and well-trained tech specialists. Hiring a good virtual assistant is an excellent way to lighten your load and raise productivity from anywhere.
4. Stay Connected With A Colleague
This one may be easier said than done, depending on where you like to travel, but it’s almost always possible. It will give you peace of mind to keep in touch with someone from the office or your business. Staying up to date on what’s going on in your professional life can make it easier for you to relax on your time off. Or when an issue arises, you can handle it at once. There are also many tools today that make staying connected easier. With apps like Whatsapp and Skype and hardware like international Wi-Fi hotspots, I am sure there’s something out there that will suit your needs.
However, if you want to stay updated on work 24/7, consider using a mobile internet data plan in your country. If this option is unavailable, ensure your accommodation has a stable Wi-Fi connection that will allow you to work and get in touch with colleagues anytime.
Use Technology
There are more apps and programs than ever to help keep you on task or even automate some of your work. Don’t be afraid to try out a new app before your trip and see if it works for you. If you are in sales, try a new sales prospecting program to help cut some of the busy work out of your day. Check out https://about.crunchbase.com/blog/sales-prospecting-tools/ for more info on this.
Conclusion
Dealing with work while traveling can be challenging, especially if you’ve no idea what to do. But with proper planning and preparation, keeping up with work while traveling will be a breeze. These are just a few tricks that I have learned, and I hope that sharing them with you will help you get the most of your time off, without the stress of falling behind in your professional life.
