In recent years, remote work has become increasingly popular. In fact, one in four Americans works remotely. With unparalleled flexibility, remote work has allowed many individuals to work from wherever they’d like. Whether it’s on the road, at a vacation house, or on a cruise, remote workers can effectively work from anywhere they have an internet connection.
This has enabled many workers to mix work and play by taking extended workcations away from their homes.
What is a workcation?
A workcation is a vacation where you enjoy a new location without necessarily taking any personal time away from work. While you may still decide to take time away from work, remote work allows you to reap all of the benefits of a vacation without skipping out on the pay.
7 steps for taking a workcation
If you’ve never had the opportunity to take a workcation before, you may be wondering exactly how it works. Follow along to learn how you can successfully take a workcation.
1. Schedule it in advance
When planning your workcation, it’s essential that you inform your boss of what you plan to do. Before telling your boss about your plans, prepare answers to any questions they might have. It will also help reassure them that you’ll still be able to effectively communicate and meet any important deadlines.
2. Create a daily routine
As a remote worker, you may notice that working from a new location can sometimes throw off your productivity. Setting a daily routine can help you combat this. By treating your workday the same way as you would at home, you can help your mind successfully separate work time from playtime.
3. Declutter your physical and digital workspace
Designating a specific area to work and keeping your digital workspace clean is a great way to eliminate distractions. You can do this by deleting any loose files that are no longer relevant and by finding a nice space to designate as your workcation office.
4. Define boundaries with your coworkers
To help keep the boundaries of work and play separate, be sure to inform your colleagues of the times you’ll be online and when you’ll be away from your devices. This will ensure that you won’t be bothered during the hours you’re off the clock.
5. Define boundaries with your family
As a remote worker, you may find it hard to maintain a solid work-life balance. To help stay focused, make sure your family knows when you’ll be working so they know not to distract you.
6. Schedule your free time
Scheduling specific time to complete fun activities is a great way to make the best of your workcation. This can help make your trip more enjoyable and make you more likely to want to do it again. Remember, it’s important to realize that doing fun activities between work doesn’t make you selfish!
7. Stay productive
In order to maximize your free time in a new location, you need to stay productive. By getting as much done as you can during the workday, you can enjoy your workcation without any added stress of not working from your usual location.
Want to learn more?
Check out this helpful infographic from Pacaso to learn everything you need to know about taking a workcation!
Please include attribution to Pacaso.com with this graphic.