The blog has been going since 2012, but it was back in 2018 when I quit my job and took on blogging full time, alongside marketing for a number of clients. I therefore had to work out how to blend travelling the world with working remotely.
Of course, that was before Covid, as the world has changed so much, technologically it’s a different place now. I remember when nobody would jump on a video call as it was too awkward, but we overcame that with Zoom’amania. But if you’re looking to mix travel and working remotely then I hope this guide will give you some tips.
Essential Tips
Working away from the office is incredibly difficult and there are a number of considerations you have to have in order to keep productivity levels high, while allowing you to experience new places and travel between destinations.
If you plan in advance for all possible outcomes, as well as backing things up for offline usage, then you can ensure your workflow remains uninterrupted even when the environment changes. Establishing consistent working methods, selecting suitable tools (I live for Trello), and preparing for logistical challenges form the foundation of successful travel-based work. Detailed planning (plus sometimes travelling at odd hours) reduces stress and enables sustained levels of performance for your boss (unless you’re the boss, then your clients) across multiple time zones and locations.
Those working in surface pattern design roles can benefit from locations that provide stable work settings and reliable digital infrastructure. Integrating opportunities such as surface pattern design positions into travel planning helps you to maintain a strong continuity of work while exploring new places.
Avoiding Burnout
Suffering burnout in my 20’s often led me to jump on a plane and explore the world. But even working while travelling, something people often wish for, can leave you excessively burnt out.
You have to fit your travel plans, exploring attractions and sights which often leads to 20k steps a day, balanced with a heavy work schedule.
It’s important to set out a realistic breakdown beforehand. If you’re working for a normal office job, see if you can switch to part time hours, they may accept just working the mornings, or you could drop to 2-3 days a week, therefore you’re still bringing some money in to fund your activities.
You also want to consider the accommodation you’re staying in. I often stayed in hostels while travelling, but if working remotely, I don’t know how I could handle the snoring and people coming back drunk and making noise. It’s fine when you’re all partying together, very different when you’re working alongside travelling.
Stop Always Thinking of Travel as a Holiday
Identifying the distinction between work travel and leisure prevents any unrealistic expectations that might sneak in. Travelling in a remote-work context demands time management, workspace planning, and task prioritisation, something I had to learn over time. I often stay in a hotel for work and my evening can disappear watching rubbish on TV, when I’ve forgotten to save my Netflix login, or plan for something entertaining in my evening.
Consider time zones
Having a client in the USA was a nightmare, fortunately they spent a lot of time in France so it wasn’t too bad for me, but when they were in the USA, one of us always had to take the meeting at an obscure time and more often that fell on me.
Understanding the time zone difference and working out an appropriate time in advance for calls is crucial. Say for example, Thailand is 7 hours ahead of the UK, so if you were over in Koh Samui and had a client in the UK, then you might want to state meetings can only happen in the morning, say between 9-10am, so that for you it’s between 4-5pm.
Home Exchange
A home exchange arrangement is an increasingly popular option, but you simply don’t know what facilities they may have in place, from desk space (they may have their own desktop there or simply not have a spare table) to WiFi facilities. Having said that, a kitted out home tends to have better facilities than a hotel, especially when it comes to internet connection in most countries. The environment should support focused work, including desk availability, noise levels, and reliable connectivity. Understanding the logistics of another person’s home enhances preparation and ensures a consistent workflow.
Get A Decent Phone Contract
Make sure you have a good option for roaming, mine offers it for free in the EU but I had to negotiate to get that included and I have to re-demand it every year which is annoying. Also, having a decent amount of data is critical when you don’t always have access to WiFi. You’ll be using it for both your worklife and your travelling life, so it will be double-important.
Maintain a routine and schedule.
Easier said than done, but setting up a level of routine and sticking to it is key. It can be tempting to let the work slip when on the road, but you don’t want that sneaking in, as it can be a hard habit to get out of. Treating it like you have set work hours, like back home, means you don’t allow it to pile up on you, leaving you stressed and again feeling burnt out.
Equally, you should build in breaks like you would when working at an office and needing a lunch break or a coffee break.