We’re sure we don’t need to tell you twice, since you’re probably reading this from your home office set up, but here it goes, just once; working from home has become the norm post-pandemic, and it’s likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future.
With working life as we know it forever shapeshifted beyond the four walls of our flats and houses, the early part of this decade saw us do our best to turn our homes into sanctuaries and our newly decorated home offices into havens of productivity, when what we were really, truly desperate for was a change of scenery.
Already jaded with our newly decorated homes and by the monotony of the WFH existence, we’re all craving a new view, outlook and environment, even if we’re never returning to our physical, bricks’n’mortal central office spaces.
Enter the Workcation.
But what exactly is a workcation, we hear you ask?
What, the portmanteau’s component parts didn’t make it immediately obvious? Well, a workcation is simply a trip taken which combines business and pleasure, but with the former element being done remotely, via the laptop, Zoom conference calls, and Slack exchanges, all of which we’ve become so familiar with.
How To Plan A Successful Workcation
As a knock-on effect of the global pandemic, and for those keen for a holiday but to still keep the coin coming in, it’s time to combine work and travel, taking back control of that work/life balance by focusing on living the latter to its full potential. With that in mind, here are 7 tips for planning a successful working vacation.
Get The Right Tech
To improve flexibility and versatility when on the move, cutting edge tech is available to transform your smartphone into a laptop, turning it into a portable pocket computer for those moments when you’re in a tight spot (metaphorically or physically) but still need to fire off some emails.
In order to do just that, invest in a folding Bluetooth keyboard designed to hold your phone (and be carried in your pocket), a Bluetooth mouse, and a Type C, Male-to-Female USB cable-convertor to connect the mouse to your phone; voila – your phone is now a mini-portable computer, all for less than £50.
If you’re keen to ensure your cyber security while you’re on the move, then it’s essential that you invest in a VPN. By now, any seasoned traveller should be aware that public wifi represents an open door to hackers and those unscrupulous folk wishing to steal your personal details.
By using a VPN, you can surf, make transactions and send sensitive work documents securely, as your IP address is hidden when using the internet in a shared space. Moreover, if you need to access your workplace intranet, a VPN will ensure any remote logins are secure. You’ll find all the major players ready available across the world and on home turf, with Nord VPN, Private Internet Access and Surfshark servers in the UK some of the best companies to use. Vital stuff, indeed.
While a workcation is very different from being a digital nomad, when it comes to technology and working from home, the same problems are likely to surface. As such, you could do worse than checking out our article on 5 IDEAL tech survival tips for digital nomads.
Choose Your Accommodation With Work In Mind
If your accommodation doesn’t have desk space or fully functioning, crisply running wifi, then working ‘on the move’ is going to become tricky. You’ll probably end up spending most of your time travelling from cafe to cafe, forever in the hunt for wifi and spending far too much money on pastry and coffee in the process.
While it can be tempting to book the cheapest possible room for your working vacation, with a plan to fill in the finer details when you arrive, it’s better to spend more on your apartment or hotel room in order to ensure it’s a capable workcation space. Doing so will avoid you having to pay all the hidden costs which constant cafe-hopping calls for.
Fortunately, it feels like in the very near future, AirBnb and other accommodation rental platforms are now pushing home/office/working holiday setups abroad with zeal, to adapt to the shifting needs of the modern, post-COVID traveller. As such, spaces are now tailored more comprehensively to facilitate travellers getting a good day’s work done before they explore their new destination. Personally, we can’t wait!
Time Efficient R’n’R
Here’s some words you perhaps didn’t bargain on hearing when you clicked on this article; being on a workcation can be stressful. What’s more, trying to juggle deadlines with sightseeing is a fine balancing act which many get wrong.
It’s vital, then, that you do set aside time to truly relax, away from your laptop, sure, but also from the traveller’s usual box ticking, partying and overindulging which a holiday so often brings.
Make time for some time efficient r’n’r, such as a trip to the spa, a massage or a facial, or even just a long, hot soak in the bath, all of which can chill you out and help you reset in record time.
Mute Work Related Messages & Emails
When you’re deep into your workcation, surrounded by devices which have all spent the day being used for work, it can be all too easy to fall back into the cycle of responding to emails, checking for updates on projects, and looking out for messages from your employer, even as evening draws in and the ‘cation’ part of your trip demands some attention.
Listen up; the whole point (wait, the half point) of a workcation is meant to be about taking a vacation, and giving yourself the chance to enjoy some downtime in a stimulating, exciting new location. Despite how badly you want to check your Slack or Trello boards, once the downtime bit begins, resist. It might even be a self-compassionate idea to set your out-of-office reply each evening, and mute work related messages and emails until the next morning.
Establish A Routine & Set Boundaries
Indeed, when you’re blending work with leisure, it’s easy for lines to blur, leading to either burnout or an unproductive trip. To avoid this, establish a routine that mirrors your normal workday as closely as possible. Set a start time, schedule breaks, and most importantly, a definitive end to your workday. This structure will help you stay on task and make the most of your work hours, so you can fully enjoy your leisure time without guilt or stress.
In addition to a routine, set clear boundaries with your colleagues and clients. Let them know your working hours, especially if you’re in a different time zone. This will manage expectations and reduce the likelihood of being contacted outside of your workcation ‘office hours’. Remember, the goal is to maintain productivity while also enjoying a change of scenery, not to be on-call 24/7.
Plan for Downtime Activities That Complement Your Work
A successful workcation isn’t just about finding the balance between work and rest; it’s also about making the leisure time count. Before you go, research and plan activities that can help you unwind and are also conducive to your work.
For instance, if you find nature inspiring, book accommodation near a beach or forest where you can take walks or have picnics during your breaks. If you’re a history buff, choose a place with rich cultural sites that you can explore.
Moreover, consider activities that can be done in shorter bursts, like visiting a local market or gallery, so you don’t feel pressured to fill entire days with sightseeing. This way, you can refresh your mind with quick, enjoyable breaks that feed your creativity and productivity when you return to work.
Think Big & Think Differently
According to Skyscanner, some of the best destinations for a workcation include Estonia, Bermuda and Georgia, which balance interesting, unfamiliar locations with affordability and convenience. It’s also a good idea to check out destinations which were popular with digital nomads before the pandemic, such as Lisbon and Chiang Mai, since these places already have a good infrastructure in place to accommodate those working while they travel.
The Bottom Line
No longer confined to five days a week in an office, constantly desperate for a change of scene, the anticipated rise of the workcation presents opportunities for intrepid travellers and industrious workers, equally. If this sounds like your idea of taking back control of your work/life balance, then we hope you found these tips useful!
We’ll see you in a co-working space somewhere on the other side of the world?
Should you fall for a destination comprehensively and passionately, then check out our article on 5 factors to consider when swapping an extended trip for a long-term move.