8 Tips for a Rewarding Workcation

Vacations are great fun and necessary for good holistic health, but they’re not always practical, especially for the entrepreneur. And if you can’t take time off without the added stress of being away, the good things that happen after a vacation are compromised. 

Fortunately, with today’s technology, the concept of a workcation (working away from home) is a growing trend. Let these eight tips make your workcation a rewarding experience.

 

1. Plan Your Trip

The best destination for a rewarding workcation is one you’ve already visited at least once. You already know the best places to go an things to do, so you’ll spend less time planning. 

 

But new places are exciting, so if you do travel to a new destination, do your research in advance or stop by the local visitors center first. Since workcations are becoming more common these days, some travel experts have established workcation itineraries for tourists.

 

2. Work Ahead as Much as Possible

You’ll have a more rewarding workcation if you get any big projects off your plate before packing for your trip. A week or two before you leave, stay at the office an hour or so longer each day. You’ll have less stress and more time for fun. Make your goal fitting a little work into your travels, not a little vacation time into a lot of work. 

 

3. Delegate Tasks to Co-workers

Leaving reliable workers back at the office will make your workcation much more worry-free. Shift some work to a co-worker, assistant, or a short-term virtual assistant. Even a friend or neighbor may be able to help out, and you can offer to return the favor later. Give them manageable, specific tasks such as paying invoices, returning customer calls, or answering emails. Delegating these tasks to others will free up time for you to relax and enjoy your trip.

 

4. Pack the Essentials

Before packing for your trip, take a look around the office. What items do you use daily? Pack the small essentials such as notepads, paper clips, Post It notes, and ink pens. And a business travel backpack like one of these is a must-have. If you fly frequently, choose one that is TSA-friendly. Other travel-friendly features to look for include multiple organizational pockets and tuckable shoulder straps so it can fit more easily in the overhead compartment or inside a suitcase. 

 

5. Pick the Right Type of Accommodation

The best accommodation for a workcation is a long-term rental such as an Airbnb, condo, or hotel efficiency suite. You’ll have more options for setting up a workspace, a kitchen or kitchenette to prepare meals, and a separate bedroom. A homey environment will help you focus and be more productive. 

Stay away from campgrounds, bed & breakfast inns, and crowded hotels. These types of accommodations can be noisy and make it harder to concentrate.

 

6. Set up a Work Space

The most important reason to stay away from campgrounds and cramped hotel rooms is the lack of work space. A dedicated workspace will make it easier to stay organized and efficient. It could be a table in the dining room, a bonus room, or an extra bedroom. 

A dedicated workspace will also make it easier to walk away and leave the job behind when it’s time to play. Think “out of sight, out of mind.”

 

7. Work in Blocks of Time

The most rewarding workcations balance work time with vacation time. The wrong amount of either will lead to missed deadlines or too little time to enjoy your trip. Build a schedule around the times you will be the most productive and set daily goals that are reasonable to reach. If you’re vacationing in a busy city, plan your schedule to work during rush hour traffic and peak tourism times. 

 

Some workcationers like to build blocks of time that include one entire day working and another entire day vacationing. This can be a good idea, but keep weather conditions in mind so your time off doesn’t fall on a rainy day.

 

8. Stay the Right Amount of Time

A one or two week getaway is the best amount of time for a rewarding workcation. Weekend getaways are the worst because you won’t have time to get any serious work done or explore your destination. 

 

One month may sound enticing, but you could get complacent and unable to stay focused. And when you return to work, you may find yourself behind.