Staying Productive While Travelling and Working Remotely

More than telling your commute to kick rocks or being able to have the laundry going while you’re on a Zoom call, one of the best perks of remote work is the ability to work from anywhere. 

For some, that means spending a few months taking client calls from another country. For others, it means finding time during a work-sponsored trip to explore a new city.

Whether you’ve fully adopted the Digital Nomad title or you’re just trying to catch a few sights in between conference sessions, one thing remains true: staying productive while travelling can be a difficult task.

And, unless you want to land in hot water with your boss, you need to be smart about how you get things done during your travels. That’s going to take a little self-awareness, a lot of planning, and, potentially, a few extra purchases.

Tips for Remote Work While Travelling

1. Know Your Discipline Level

This is where you need to be honest with yourself. Are you someone who can hold yourself accountable for your daily tasks? Or do you need someone to keep you on track?

Both types are fine, but if you need pressure to focus, a new environment may distract you more easily. If that’s the case, travel with someone to help keep each other motivated and productive.

2. Choose Your Destination Wisely

Your destination can have a big impact on your productivity and focus. 

For starters, consider whether you want to travel somewhere new or revisit a favourite spot. If you revisit somewhere you’ve been, the familiarity offers a sense of comfort to keep you focused on work. 

A never-before-visited city or country offers new experiences. However, there’s also plenty of temptation to brush off work responsibilities in favour of wandering around. If traveling somewhere new, allow extra time to work and explore. This ensures you stay productive while seeing everything you want.

You should also factor in the timezone you’re travelling to. If possible, try to stay within two to three hours of the timezone the rest of your team is in so you don’t have to be online at three in the morning or eleven at night. 

If you do end up in a timezone that greatly differs from that of your main office, block off certain times to complete work that doesn’t require any touchpoints with your team, so you’re not wasting your hours on the clock.

3. Use Travel Time Wisely

Especially if you’re only taking a few days to attend a conference or company on-site, make good use of the times you’re sitting in airports or riding the train. While you shouldn’t necessarily be taking calls that could disturb other travellers, use that time to draft client emails or catch up on call notes to add to your CRM once you’re at your destination and back online.

4. Make Sure You’ve Connection is Covered

One of the most important parts of working while travelling is making sure you have what you need to be productive and stay connected no matter where you go.

Wireless Connection

Hostels, hotels, or Airbnbs will typically offer Wi-Fi as an amenity to your stay. However, until you’re there, you won’t know if it’s a reliable connection, much less fast enough to support the work you’re doing.

No matter where you’re staying, it’s best to have your own connection just in case. You can purchase extra data from your mobile carrier to have a hotspot ready when needed or invest in a portable Wi-Fi device, typically for a monthly fee. The best option will depend on your unique travel habits.

Chargers and Adapters

Even if you have the best wireless connection, it won’t matter if you don’t have a charged device to connect it to. 

It’s best to always have portable chargers and surge protectors on hand, particularly if you require multiple devices to get your work done. You should also be mindful of the types of electrical outlets used in the places you’re travelling to so you’re actually able to plug into your chargers and devices.

5. Stick to a Normal Schedule

Sure, it’s tempting to spontaneously decide how you’ll spend the day and tell yourself your work “will get done” when you’re travelling. However, you’re much better off keeping to the routine you’d have when you’re home.

Plan a schedule that allows you to wake up, work, eat, and relax so your body adjusts to your new environment and you can stay as productive as you normally do. 

6. Keep Boundaries for Working Hours

It can be difficult enough keeping to specific hours when you’re working remotely from your actual home. That can become even harder when you’re working while travelling.

Set strict boundaries for when you’ll shut down for the day, and make sure your team and clients know your log-off time. This ensures you:

• Avoid the mental stress that comes with always being online
• Reduce friction with those expecting your reply
• Give yourself time to enjoy the place you’re visiting

7. Dedicate Time for Yourself

You booked your trip – or extend your stay after a work function – to have a good time and experience the sights, food, and culture of that destination. While it’s vital to keep up your productivity and complete work-related tasks, you also need to reserve time to enjoy your trip.

Whether it’s waking up early for a sunrise hike, spending your lunch break on a food walking tour, or taking the evening to bounce around a few nightlife spots, reward your hard work with some much-deserved “me time.”

Are there specific steps you take to ensure that your productivity doesn’t nosedive when you’re working remotely or exploring a new place? Share them in the comments for your fellow travellers!