Top Tips for Working while Travelling
As a passionate traveller, remote worker and lucky enough to call myself a digital nomad. I've learned valuable tips and tricks for effectively combining work and travel. With the holiday season upon us, I wanted to share these insights for anyone considering embarking on a working trip.
1. Establish and Stick to a Routine:
While you're exploring new destinations, it's crucial to remember that you're not on a holiday – you're working remotely, there is a difference! Creating a routine will help maintain your productivity and avoid burnout.
Consider setting a consistent wake-up time and scheduling in exercise. You could find a day pass to gym (Trainaway is a good app to use here, https://www.trainaway.fit ), go for a run, which doubles up as exploring your surroundings or laying out a towel, as a mat, and doing some yoga or a bodyweight workout.
2. Prioritise Reliable WIFI:
As a digital nomad, a stable internet connection is a must. You need to be able to work as you would in an office!
Look to stay in co-living accommodations, a cross between a hostel and an Airbnb, designed for digital nomads, or check Airbnb reviews for mentions of reliable wifi, internet or comments about working there.
Maybe get a day, week or month pass to a co-working space, this is also a great way of meeting people. Additionally, seek out laptop-friendly cafes, most destinations have these now, but it is always worth checking first, I do this by looking on Google and searching laptop or work in the reviews, or looking at the pictures to see if I can spot someone with a laptop!
Another option is going to hotel lobby, there is already a well-established working culture in hotels, so they won’t mind you sitting there.
I would also say make sure you think your hotel checkout and if there is somewhere you can go if need be. I have before decided to get an evening flight on a Tuesday before, not thinking about the fact that checkout is usually 10am! (Don’t worry I found a very lovely co-working café).
3. Manage Timezones Effectively:
Travelling across time zones can be disorienting, so you need to establish which one you will be working to and let your team know. Are you going to be working on your home countries time or the local time? There are pros & cons to both, think about when you need to be available and when you will be able to do activities. To avoid confusion, use timezone converter apps like easytime zones, https://easytimezones.com ,to coordinate meetings and tasks.
4. Embrace Slow Travel:
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is to travel slowly. Instead of rushing through, hopping from destination to destination, stay in one place for a period of time, get to know your way around and immerse yourself in the culture, especially as you will be spending a majority of your day working, so you won’t be able to fit it all in.
In a week you might do the same amount you would in a weekend city break, so be realistic and don’t be dishearten if you don’t get to do it all.
With this some evenings you might just want to stay in and watch Netflix and others you will shut your laptop and go try the local delicacy for dinner – much as you would at home! In fact I would advise some chilled evenings, otherwise you will burn out.
5. Find a community:
With slow travel comes community, if you are somewhere for a longer period of time, it can be quite intense being on your own or just with your friend or partner, you will crave interactions with others, and the best thing is that there will be others doing the same thing as you, travelling and working, and I expect they have some fabulous and inspring stories to tell. Co-live spaces you have an automatic community but also look at MeetUp and Facebook Groups, e.g Digital Nomads Lisbon
6. Be Transparent with Colleagues:
Open and honest communication with your colleagues, especially managers, is vital when working remotely abroad. Inform them when you'll be traveling or temporarily unreachable and set clear expectations.Working remotely abroad requires trust, dedication and flexibility from both side.
I hope these tips will inspire you to try out this lifestyle and explore the world while working. As someone who has worked from various incredible locations like Verona, Lisbon, Budapest, and Athens this year, I can't wait to see where my journey takes me next.
Happy Travels,
Anna
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