10 things I learned at my workation

Even if it seems simple and trendy to work from any location and go on vacation at the same time, you have to - in addition to the right one Job - note a few things. We list the 7 most important points.

The right framework conditions: What is absolutely necessary for a successful workation

Working from anywhere and ideally combining this with a holiday in a beautiful area has been very trendy since the Corona pandemic. Again and again you hear these stories from students who go surfing between two lectures or meeting participants who enjoy their video conferences with a mountain panorama.

But even if the thought seems tempting, sometimes fast to jet to the Canary Islands or the Alps to be there with leisure time companions Office -Everyday life to complete: First, some framework conditions must be met. This includes, for example, the right job, which doesn't take you to a permanent one Workplace nailed down or the possibility of dividing up the work more or less flexibly.

So that the workation succeeds: It depends on the right organization

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In addition, there is no point jetting off to the Caribbean if you don't get anything from the beautiful surroundings because you spend the whole day in front of the computer instead of in a deck chair. The big challenge is also not having to work overtime before, during and after the holidays, despite being absent, to work up what was left behind. That shows how important a good Organization for a successful workation, so that you don't lose time unnecessarily.

In this context, it is particularly advisable to reduce the number of interactions, but at the same time to remain up to date. Above all, this means intelligent filtering and not dozens of filters every day Meetings, calls and eMails with ever new ones Tasks to work off.

10 things I learned at my workation

But how does this work? Objective to reach? What conditions must be met for a successful workation? 10 tips at a glance.

1. Habit counts: It may sound boring, but the usual routine is important to get things done quickly and efficiently. A new environment is exciting, but problematic when it comes to efficiency because of the lack of routine. Being familiar with other places, on the other hand, simplifies work processes enormously. Recently in South Tyrol, I noticed again how much easier and time-saving it is to know, for example, where the supermarket is or the nearest bus stop.
2. The right location: The workation depends on the ideal location. You have to think carefully in advance about what is important to you in terms of the situation and plan accordingly. For example, if you want to rent a car locally, it ultimately doesn't matter where you stay. If renting a car is not an option, you have to make sure that you have a bicycle or e-bike or public transport nearby. A supermarket to buy at least the essentials should not be too far away either, unless you want to eat out every day. On Amrum, even my hotel offered a small kitchenette with a fridge, so I could buy something myself in the supermarket.
3. Automation: Many operations can be automated. For example, schedule the payments of your current bills in advance through your bank to worry less. You might also be able to answer most email questions with an automated eMail answer or deal with other business details. This should involve as much communication as possible eMails, because this is the only way to bundle and time-delayed editing. You also have to be able to decide for yourself when to communicate. If you're going on a mountain hike, you don't have time for a phone meeting. A service that accepts incoming calls and then forwards them in bundles, stating their name and reason for the call, for example, could also be practical, while the caller informs them that they cannot be reached. Web or cloud-based tools are also indispensable, as they always offer browser access to current data and information. In this case, it is also important to secure a connection via free, unencrypted WiFi with a VPN tunnel.
4. Counter-cyclical travel: If you want to do a relaxed workation, you should do so in the off-season. This is especially true if, as with the Interrail, frequent changes of location are planned. This is the only way to ensure that you avoid traffic jams, crowded trains or queues at the airport and that you are not surprised by groups of tourists who disturb your concentration and relaxation. Another positive aspect: the accommodation is usually much cheaper than in the high season.
5. Choosing the right means of transport: Sometimes the journey is even the most exciting and best travel destination during a workation - I noticed that on my Interrail tours, my trip to Amrum or my cruise with Nicko-Tours. Therefore, one should also think about unusual means of transport for a workation: For example, a ship or an eBike in combination with a train. The first decelerates with the slow travel speed, the eBike inspires with the sporty yet comfortable way of getting around.
6. The right equipment on site: An important aspect is, for example, how the location of the workation is furnished. In my holiday apartment in South Tyrol, for example, there was a socket on the balcony and very good WiFi, which made it possible to work on the terrace with a wonderful view. Especially in inexpensive hotels or in very rural regions, the WiFi is sometimes too bad for you to be able to work properly, so you have to buy a SIM card. For longer stays, I also think it is important to have a washing machine, which helps to reduce the amount of luggage. In urban environments, a laundromat can help here.
7. downsizing: In the office we are used to all sorts of pieces of equipment, when travelling, it's welcome to be one size smaller and lighter. First and foremost, this requires an optimal work tool: the smaller and lighter a laptop is and the longer the battery can run without a power supply, the better, especially if the holiday apartment does not have its sockets on the terrace with the beautiful view or, as with Nicko Tours, on wants to work on the deck of a cruise ship or wants to work on the train. In order to save space and weight in my luggage, I occasionally replaced my laptop with a keyboard, even on shorter train journeys, which I connected to my mobile phone via Bluetooth. In my experience, mobile phone screens are also better optimized for mobile work than tablets. The equipment also includes small and light power banks that can be used flexibly for mobile phones and laptops. This is important because the smartphone sometimes also serves as a modem for a laptop or tablet if there is no WLAN connection. And since you want to use both devices when in doubt, it is not a solution to use one as an energy source for the other.
8. Adaptation to foreign cultures – also technically: Anyone who wants to work abroad for a few months a year is well advised to adapt mentally and technically to other cultures. This simply ensures a better workflow on site. This also and especially applies to the sockets. Since these are different in many countries, a Universal adapter that works in most countries and also has USB ports.
9. Good and healthy nutrition: An important point is also healthy ready meals at reasonable prices. On Amrum, for example, there is a special island brand with prepared soups. The reason is obvious: those who are out and about are reluctant to spend their time cooking, even if their accommodation has a kitchen at all. In hotels, with a few exceptions, cooking is not planned anyway. Accordingly, it is important to find small restaurants and (healthy) fast food places in the immediate vicinity of the temporary place of residence. An alternative for longer stays are delivery services.
10. Working at home can also be exciting: If you are reluctant to do a longer job somewhere else because of this list and points worth noting, you still have the home office option - true to the motto "home is the best place" - This has the advantage that the environment and technical equipment are familiar and you don't have to lug equipment anywhere. Several day trips per week provide the right variety. However, you have to be careful not to get bogged down in the constant rut of being available all the time, so that the workation, which is actually supposed to help you relax, quickly becomes a stress cation.

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