Over a million people travel for work daily in the U.S. Another million travel for fun, some combining both in one. Why wouldn’t you? Traveling is proven to positively affect one’s mind and body, improving problem-solving and communication skills. Whether you work with art or not, you might’ve noticed a surge of inspiration and creativity right after the trip, too.
Despite many positive connotations, traveling can also be extremely stressful. To stay productive and stress-free, follow our advice below.
Plan Ahead
Whether you are traveling to another city or flying to a completely different country, it is always important to plan ahead. We are not just talking about booking a flight and a hotel room in advance. In addition to that, take a look at your calendar and figure out how much and when you will be working—don’t forget about time zone differences!
Although it’s admirable to try and work as much as usual, this is not attainable when you travel. Try to cut your workload in half first, and then add more responsibilities as you go. Reschedule any grand deadlines and work calls if possible. Last but not least, break down all your tasks into 30-minute chunks. This will allow you to do your work on the go when you’re between flights or experiencing any delays.
Stay Safe
As a tourist, you will be taking advantage of every free internet network you come by. Be it at a hotel lobby or a coffee shop, these connections will greatly benefit you, minimizing your spending on roaming costs. Unfortunately, these Wi-Fi networks are not all secure. That means bad actors can easily intercept your connection and dig deep into your data. This includes your business accounts and files.
Investing in an antivirus and a VPN can safeguard you from these cybercriminals. A VPN creates a shield between you and other internet users, encrypting your connection. No matter what operating system you use, there are reliable VPNs for Macs, as well as for Windows and Linux. Everything you send and receive online is impossible to decrypt without authorization and thus impossible to steal or use for your own gain.
Do Your Research
Once your flight is booked, research your destinations. Don’t just look at sightseeing spots – find co-working spaces, comfortable coffee shops, and quiet spots at the airport. Some apps let you see where your flight is and how long the delay will be. Use this to your advantage and finish some work. Even catching up on emails while in the air is an impressive way to stay productive while traveling.
While at it, figure out how you will communicate with the world during your trip. Free Wi-Fi is great, but not always available. Roaming fee is expensive, and local SIMs are burdensome. Here, eSIMs may come in handy. With the travel eSIMs, you can activate a data plan for your destination with a few taps, at affordable rates.
Stick to the Routine
You probably have an established routine when you work from home. The truth is, traveling doesn’t have to disrupt it. Sure, you won’t be able to do everything exactly the same, but you can still stick to the basics: doing yoga in the morning, working when you’re the most energetic, and taking a relaxing bath in the evening. Since you will be working less, you can schedule your working hours more freely.
Productive on the Go
Traveling should be a positive experience, not something that complicates your life. You can’t avoid issues that are out of your control, but establishing a good routine, researching your destination in advance, planning ahead, and staying safe online will boost your productivity when traveling.