Sometimes referred to as leisure, it is a clever mix that combines “business” and “leisure,” this type of travel is expected to grow into a $3 trillion business in 2032. However, achieving the proper leisure can be challenging. While remote work may allow you to view the sunrise from a variety of exciting locations, however, you’ll still need to be efficient. If you don’t, you’ll disrespect the freedom you enjoy when your employer relies on you to be accountable, no matter when exotic sandscapes and the temptation of pina coladas surround you.
I’ve worked everywhere in the world, from Hong Kong to Australia to New Zealand to Brazil to Brazil, the U.K., and Ireland to Fiji and Dubai, for a long time before the days of pandemics. Before smartphones, I would call the office at 3 a.m. via Hong Kong payphones. I’ve had to balance my full-time job in an agency for advertising with my travel travels as a U.S. Rugby National Team player. I know how difficult it is to manage your desire to travel around the world and the reality of completing tasks.
Recently I went to Phoenix to attend a reunion of rugby players. My former rock stars turn out to be all executives, too. Therefore, we structured our schedules to maximize the energy we gained from being with one another (and recalling our exercise glory times) while fulfilling our professional obligations.
We had a fantastic well-balanced experience. However, claiming that it’s been this way from the beginning is not valid. Sure, I’ve always been passionate about the work I do. However, it took some time to figure out how to do it without underperforming, feeling lonely from my friends on the road, or worrying my colleagues by causing unexpected absences.
If you’re struggling to work remotely when traveling, the best option is to put some strategies to help you stay in order and keep your performance in check.
1.) Define what you are looking for.
What do you want to achieve from your travels and also out of your work? We’ve all been confronted with the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” However, that isn’t the most appropriate question. Better would be, “What do you want your life to be like right now?”
Remote working lets you make your own choices and choose the kind of work, style, and balance between work and life that is right for you. In determining what your ideal remote lifestyle would be, ask yourself:
- What is my ideal day-to-day job? What is the way it feels, and what would it appear like?
- How often do I need to stand, sit, or move during my workday? Are there exercises I’d like to include?
- Do I prefer working in a calm space, free of distracting noises? Do you require being somewhere where I can feel the positive vibes? Do I do better working alone or with a team that surrounds me?
- Which environments are conducive to multitasking? If I were to work in a multitasking environment, when would I gain more focused Zen environments?
- What’s the ideal balance between calls to the phone or Zoom calls and Slack?
I like being active. I enjoy moving, and I enjoy being capable of walking and talking. I love being able to work, even cycling — and I love being in settings that challenge me in various ways. My most effective working “clarity breaks” and creative solutions occur when I’m at the pool, swimming laps, entirely focused, and able to contemplate a complex work problem. Physical activity is crucial to me. Daily adventures are essential to the lifestyle I would like to live. This is my aim and the North Star for how I plan my day.
The more clearly thought-out your personal goals are, the more streamlined you’ll experience when planning your schedule.
2.) Design a structure that will support the lifestyle you desire.
When you arrive at your office, the company manages all the details of your office. You’re expected to arrive at a specific time, go to an area, go to meetings, or make phone calls and leave when you’re expected to leave. Being a telecommuter means this obligation (and your travel schedule) is yours and must be considered before purchasing flight tickets.
Creating a thorough plan is the most effective way to prevent stressing yourself or your coworkers. Be aware of where and what you’ll do while you’re away. Lacking an idea of what you’ll be doing was among my first mistakes, whether it was trying to find an internet connection since I didn’t check the Wi-Fi in my hotel or slowing down a project due to lags in response time.
If you’re preparing your schedule, review your daily schedule and mentally sketch the places you’ll need to be and when. What is the amount of time you require between switching workplaces? What is the distance between these spaces? Do you have a location for charging your computer or headphones? How much rest and calories do you require to thrive amid the day’s schedule, and how do you ensure that you are hydrated?
Although it’s impossible to plan everything, it’s still important to be prepared with an A, B, and C strategy for the most critical aspects, including power sources for multimedia and a safe internet connection. I suggest getting up early in the morning to make time to write your strategy and get into the right mindset for your day. I like to imagine I’m in “The Amazing Race” and have to make the most of every hour I’m on the road. I use Lyft instead of driving myself to work from the car. I also plan my bathroom breaks!
If this appears like lots of planning, it’s because it’s. Bleisure doesn’t aim to make your life easier and often leads to new problems. But, it’s allowing you to travel and experience new experiences while working a full-time job. Sure, I’ve increased my workload due to my life of travel. However, I’ve also enjoyed the freedom to pursue my passions in athletics, travel worldwide, and make amazing friendships.
Communicate with your clients and colleagues.
While you shouldn’t boast about your work vacation to paradise, you must be transparent with everyone involved regarding what the remote arrangement will look like. Be truthful and respectful. I always announce my availability and typical response times ahead of time and through various media platforms (via Slack, one-on-one texts, or live meetings.). I always indicate my availability and respond instantly if I can respond within about an hour or even an hour. This stops my colleagues from getting stressed or worried and asking me when I’ll respond to their messages.
However, pay attention to the fact that you need to be present. The people you are trying to reach need to reach you when you tell them to. The burden falls on you to manage your jetlag or to find the most stable connection to the one you have at your hotel. “Sorry. I’m not available until three at three in the morning” isn’t working while traveling. It’s an excuse to take a vacation. Being aware of that distinction is essential in ensuring that you don’t put the burden of travel on your employees.
Be accountable for achieving your goals.
The office’s location can be a distraction regardless of whether you’re home or on the beach. It doesn’t grant you the right to take a break, however. Your responsibility is to stay productive to serve the needs of your company. Being mindful of your relationship with your company is crucial. I am more invested in a business due to the freedom, trust, and accountability I’m granted. I’m going to always take advantage of the advantages and opportunities I’ve had by being able to work from home. Ensure you behave like you’re watching, even though you’re alone.
Another method to stay focused is to carry out all the required tools for accountability. This could include business operating system software, tools for managing projects, and reliable devices. You should be able to update your information and keep track of your performance regularly. So, your colleagues and even your boss will be able to know at a glance that you’re making progress instead of slipping. Be honest about what works and what doesn’t for you regarding deadlines. If you’re always declaring “yes” to deadlines, you aren’t able to meet them; it could be a risk to the credibility of the employer (and possibly your right to travel leisurely). There will be instances when you should work from a fixed location or even in the office; however, this doesn’t mean traveling isn’t always possible.
