Remote work is on the rise, and the idea of living the digital nomadic lifestyle is appealing to so many people. After all, who wouldn’t love working from beautiful places around the world? If you plan to work and travel, you’ll have a fantastic opportunity to grow in different aspects of life. Though working remotely while traveling is fun and eye-opening, it’s important to remember that you still have to get work done amidst the fun.
If you’re ready to try your hand at working while traveling but aren’t sure where to start, here are 7 great tips for you to follow:
1. Travel Slow
One thing that is a struggle for remote workers is maintaining a healthy routine. This is even harder when working on the road. That is why you should refrain from moving around every too much. However exciting it is to tick places off your bucket list, staying in one place for an extended period can bring some sense of stability. This way, you can easily develop healthy routines and habits in one place before moving to the next. In addition, it gives you ample time to visit and savor what the place has to offer, and it is more economical to book places long term as opposed to for a few days.
2. Research Your Next Destination
Countries and regions vary in so many ways, which is why it’s essential to do your research so that you can be aware of what to prepare for. For instance, work on the road requires strong and stable Wi-Fi. You can visit online groups for digital nomads to see what others say about Wi-Fi in the region.
Another area you need to research is the political and social situation of the region. It would be better to avoid areas where there is a possibility of political unrest or festivities that can interfere with your work.
3. Put a Clear Boundary Between Work and Travel
With all the exciting places to visit, new people to meet, and food to sample, it can be easy to use more of your time traveling and less time working. Remember, you need the money, and striking a good balance between the two is of paramount importance. The best way to do this is to create a routine. You can decide to work the entire week and explore the country on weekends or travel two days within the week to avoid the crowds on weekends and work the rest of the days.
4. Join a Coworking Space
Working remotely, even when traveling, can be lonely. Coworking spaces allow you to work alongside other like-minded individuals. In addition, they provide an alternative working space from your hotel, Airbnb, or noisy coffee shops. Coworking spaces are also typically comfortable with fast internet connections. However, it is good to do your research before settling on a co-working space. For instance, if you are working in Los Angeles, you can do a quick search on the most convenient coworking spaces in Los Angeles. Settle for the one with the best rating within your budget.
5. Get Travel Insurance
A lot can happen when working while traveling. You might lose your luggage, fall sick, or get an injury, for example. If you are not prepared with insurance, you risk suffering financially and emotionally. That is why you should get travel insurance before leaving home. The most important thing to look out for when purchasing insurance is to find a good and reliable insurance company with affordable rates and ensure that their customer care is reliable.
6. Get Essentials
Before you go off and work remotely while traveling, you’ll need to gather some essentials to bring with you. Some essentials that we recommend you bring include:
- A VPN
- Your debit and credit cards
- A water bottle with a built-in filter
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Medicines
- A universal adapter
7. Exercise Regularly
If you spend too much time working on your laptop, you might be exerting too much pressure on your neck, back, and shoulders. It is even worse if you don’t have a portable stand that helps raise your laptop’s screen to eye level. To ensure that you don’t suffer back, neck, shoulder, or wrist pain, make it a habit of exercising regularly. Exercise is also good for getting rid of stress, boosting your mood, rejuvenating the body, and improving productivity.
It is possible to work and travel and be successful in both. However, you need to be ready to put in the work and find a good balance between the two. As long as you work on your organizational skills, be self-driven, and create a good strategy with the above tips, you’re sure to have great success as a digital nomad.