Blurring Boundaries: The Vacation Work Dilemma
Few things can compare to the joy of a long trip, but should I work while on vacation?
The Answer: Yes/ Maybe/ Sometimes
I don’t have a problem with working a little while on vacation. And by a little, I mean 30 minutes to an hour max per day. And by work, I mean work for my clients in my own business, not work for an employer. If you’re not getting paid for it, I say no, put that computer down, or negotiate another vacation day.
While I would love to say that I’ve mastered the art of planning ahead so perfectly that I come back to a lovely and breathable two weeks of content planned out beyond my return, the truth is, I don’t. Though my goal is always to have total pencils down while on vacation, I typically squeeze a few hours of work in while abroad or traveling.
I anticipate my relative uselessness (in the work part of my life) for the week leading up to my trip and aim accordingly.
Although I try to push to get lots done before I travel, there are always surprises or something I haven’t accounted for. Whether it’s errands or haircuts or organizing my pet’s stay in boarding, there are things you’ll need to do in the days leading up to your trip that you can’t yet fathom. Not that they’re going to be crazy, necessarily, just more that they’re harder to predict and WILL undoubtedly be time-consuming.
Here is what I do before a trip:
Get content created/ scheduled as far as possible (giving myself one to 1.5 dedicated days per client).
I generally lay low and get ahead with work the weekend before a trip. The quiet of weekends is often my most productive time. I’m probably weird about liking weekend work.
Stay physically active no matter how busy I get. Running and long walks keep me clear enough to be effective and productive.
General Mindset: Do your best to think ahead and plan your work out but don’t beat yourself up if you need to tackle a few things while on your trip. I have learned that important things will get done, whether by me or a trusted helping hand.
While Traveling:
Anticipate that your internet strength and quality will be spotty at best. There’s no wifi like big city wifi. You may need to head to your hotel lobby or find a co-working space with a strong enough signal to do any uploading, downloading, or use web/ cloud-based tools. Your phone might not be much better if you plan on hot spotting. Call your accommodations and do a solid search before you go.
It’s just so nice to understand what to expect and to be able to plan certain things around those realities. It’s also good to know that it’s not impossible to get work done while traveling.
Pro-Tip: Look into the power situation at your destination before you head out. You may need power converters or adapters for your electronics. Trust me. It would be nice to have those before you arrive. Though, worst case scenario, you’ll be able to find them wherever you go, too.