Traveling can be incredible, but it can also be incredibly frustrating if you lag behind on work that needs to get done. If you’re heading to Australia, for example, you can find the best coworking space in the Melbourne CBD once you arrive. However, it’ll take a lot of time in airports and on flights to get there, so you’ll need a set of strategies up your sleeve to ensure you’re always making the most of your time. The following ideas should help you balance the demands of work and travel.
1. Find the best task for the moment
Not all tasks are made equal. Some, such as high-level strategizing, require a significant amount of undistracted attention. A quiet room is ideal for that. Others – such as answering emails or updating social media posts – don’t require monk-like conditions. Busy cafés and crowded airport lounges are fine for that kind of task.
If you know that you need to get work done but also have a flight to catch, batch your easy-to-do tasks so you can get them done in one go. This tip is especially pertinent if your flight is long, as it allows you to put that otherwise empty time to good use.
2. Stick to a schedule
When working and traveling, a schedule is crucial. Not only does it help you batch tasks, but it can also help you plan the best time to book your flights. If you keep a Monday to Friday schedule, then that’s probably the weekends.
Although it’s unlikely that everything will always go according to plan, adhering to a strict schedule can help you pick up the slack when things go wrong while on the road. The best way to create a schedule is to write it down in a physical planner or digital calendar. Then, review it every day to see if there’s anything you need to be aware of in the days or weeks ahead.
3. Take care of your health
Although this strategy isn’t directly related to work or travel, it’s one of those keystone habits that’s essential to master. Whether it’s poor diet, bad posture, lack of exercise, or lack of sleep, it’s far too easy to get sick while traveling.
Sickness radically reduces your productivity, but healthy habits can help you avoid falling ill. That means drinking plenty of water, getting plenty of rest, and exercising as much as possible. Although it’s easier said than done (especially when early morning flights are involved), it’s important to try.
4. Bring your mobile office everywhere
One of the perks of working while traveling is that you can work from anywhere – so long as you bring everything you need. For most, a mobile office is nothing more than a laptop, a charger, some noise-canceling headphones, and a smartphone. Whatever the specifics, it helps to have them in one handy backpack or briefcase. That way, whenever you have a moment of downtime, you can get some work done.
5. Choose the right location
Work can set limits on where you can (or should) travel. For example, if the upcoming week is full of Zoom calls, setting up shop in a remote village may not be the smartest idea. If the wifi goes out, you’re out of luck. Conversely, settling into a city has plenty of added benefits. If the wifi in your AirBnB falters, you can head down to a local café or co-working space to get some work done.
Keep these strategies in mind, and you’ll be all set to improve your productivity while carving out space for travel.