Is a Workation Right for You?
As the country continues officially puts the pandemic in its rear view, many are finding enjoyment in one of the few positive outcomes - new work arrangements allowing the freedom and flexibility to work from anywhere. The rebound of the travel industry has created a perfect opportunity for those planning summer vacations and hoping to enjoy some time away from the daily routines of working from home. Generally, a vacation involves time away from both home and work. But, if time away from work is not an option, or if you’d like to extend your travel beyond what your vacation leave allows, it might be time to consider a Workation.
A workation (or worcation depending on the source) is simply personal travel while working remotely. It’s helpful to think of the experience as getting a break from the workplace (even if that’s your home), but not taking a break from work itself.
The workation is not another product of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-pandemic, a workation was seen as one way overworked employees could get away from the workplace even if the work had to come along with them. But now, workations are seen as a viable option for individuals epitomizing the “work from anywhere” flexibility many individuals now enjoy.
Companies like Workation.com are dedicated to providing guidance with the planning of your work from anywhere experience. Planning is only a small part of the process, however. In order to truly enjoy your experience and avoid feeling overwhelmed, experts recommend a few important considerations.
Establish Clear Goals
Before embarking on your workation, it’s important to determine what you hope to gain. Why have you selected to work while traveling instead of taking traditional leave from work? Determine whether you are just looking for a change of scenery or if you actually need a break from your job. If you’re suffering from job burnout or experiencing work related stress, a workation won’t provide you with the relief and relaxation you need. If emotional stress or burnout is a problem for you, an actual vacation during which you can leave work behind will likely be your best option.
Make a Plan
Once your vacation goals are clear, you should consider how you want to work while traveling. There are two ways you can enjoy the typical vacation activities while also maintaining a regular work schedule.
One option is to travel with your laptop computer and respond to emails or attend virtual meetings while on the beach, relaxing at the lake, or sitting in your hotel. While this may seem like an appealing option, if you are not accustomed to interruptions or require a more traditional workspace, you may experience more frustration than enjoyment from your workation experience. Further, you may have to deal with spotty or unreliable internet connections while working on location.
Another option is to maintain a traditional work schedule during the day, and use evenings and weekends to engage in leisure activities. This is a good choice especially if you are traveling alone or with a companion working a similar schedule. If a clear plan is not established in advance, anyone traveling with you will quickly grow bored and frustrated waiting around for you to complete work tasks before being able to join them for vacation activities.
Consider Time Zone Differences
Regardless of your plan for managing your work and leisure time, it is important to consider differences in time zone between your vacation location and your place of employment. If there is a considerable difference, you may find yourself having to dramatically adjust your work plans based on the time zone back home. For example, a college professor from Tennessee traveled to Italy and conducted class lectures with her students virtually. Her normal noon class had to be conducted at 7 p.m. She also found it challenging to keep up with emails and attend faculty meetings because of the time zone difference. That’s not to say it’s impossible; but time zone factors are important to consider.
Establish a ‘Home Base’
One of the greatest challenges during the workation can be staying motivated. You’ll want to avoid falling behind on work related tasks and frustrating your supervisor or co-workers. Working remotely requires setting up an environment that is conducive to the type of work you need to do. According to HuffPost Travel, environment is more powerful than willpower. You may have the best of intentions, but it is crucial to put yourself in an environment that promotes productivity.
While it may seem like a good idea to plan a workation that includes travel through Europe for the summer, changing locations will require you to set up your WiFi, work space, and equipment each time you move. This may prove difficult when you can’t be absolutely certain of your accommodations. Resist the temptation; establish a ‘home’ base to work from, and travel from there.
A workation makes it possible to travel to interesting or exotic locations without giving up your income. If you are fortunate enough to have paid leave and a job capable of being performed from any location, a workation may be a way to take full advantage of the flexibility WFH opportunities offer.
If you’d like to test the waters before taking off on your own workation, consider extending a weekend trip for a few days into the work week as a start. With careful thought and planning, a workation doesn’t have to be looked at as a compromise. It can be an enjoyable vacation experience.