All individuals who wish to work on the road now have new options thanks to workations. Workcationing is appealing because you’re still putting in a day’s work, but from a picturesque, Instagram-worthy setting!
What does it mean to workation?
It is a combination of work and vacation. Work from Home is a step up from a workation. You work from a vacation destination of your choice, rather than from the office (which is so 2019) or from home. The aim is to incorporate both work and leisure activities into your day – something that even the most dedicated home workers may struggle to accomplish.
Who can accept a workation, you would say? Anyone whose employment is already well-suited to remote work and does not require them to stay in an office, plant, studio, factory, or other similar hands-on environment. Manual or skilled laborers may not be able to take a workation as easily as their counterparts in technology or administration.
The advantages of working on a vacation-
Combining the pleasant pleasures of travel with the flexibility of remote work can open up new opportunities. For many people, the ability to work from anywhere has increased productivity, and this could be true for you as well. You might even learn something about your own working style. That’s a great gain since you’ll eventually find additional ideas and innovative ways to increase your creativity.
1- Spend more time away from your computer-
If you work from home or in an office, you may find yourself sitting at a desk for hours on end, only getting up for coffee or to go home. A workation, on the other hand, may drive you to spend more time away from your desk. The new surroundings may entice you to explore, go sightseeing, take a plunge in the sea, or do anything your heart desires.
2- Make money while traveling across the world-
Working when traveling is perhaps one of the most common benefits of a workation. Many people may not be able to afford a complete vacation, but they may value the extra cash flow for unexpected expenses. At the very least, your income and expenses are balanced, and you get a break from it all!
3- Avoid job burnout-
Being chained to your desk can cause job burnout, which can deplete your motivation and productivity. Taking a workation is an excellent approach to reintroduce balance into your life. You’ve got work under control, and there’s plenty to tempt you away from it. In the long run, you may discover that taking frequent workations is beneficial to your mental and emotional health.
The disadvantages of working on a workation-
Workation is not popular among everyone. According to a study, the vacation far is simply another indication of “work-life balance becoming a relic of the past.” The points to remember are-
1- Work sessions may send mixed signals-
Are you on vacation or on the clock? Do you have to stay for your stand-up call or can you go to that much-anticipated beach party? Workations can send contradictory messages, especially if they’re viewed as a compromise between work and vacation time. A workation isn’t a substitute for a vacation; you’ll still need time to disconnect from work and indulge your whims and preferences.
2- Costs might add up quickly-
If you can afford it, work remotely from a nicer location than your cabin or work corner. It is important to note, however, that workations can be costly. You’ll have to pay for things like lodging, meals, network connectivity, and transit. It’s always a good idea to plan your funds before going on a workation.
3- The distinction between work and personal life may become blur-
Workations, as we previously stated, can help you transition to a more balanced lifestyle. If you replace all vacations with workations, the pendulum may swing in the opposite direction, which you don’t like. When Slack is running on your laptop, it may be difficult to enjoy the sunshine. On the other hand, you may feel compelled to skip work in order to go on a chance trek, leaving your colleagues and projects behind.
4- Communication within the team may be limited-
Workation success requires effective team communication. Communication may be jeopardized, however, if the work is taking place in a different time zone or if there is a lack of reliable internet and connectivity. When at-home teams aren’t informed when a teammate takes a workation, this becomes much more of a problem. Teams have a right to know what to expect, no matter how minor the disruption, so projects can continue forward smoothly!
Is it better to work or not to work?
The answer to Shakespeare’s question ultimately rests on you, your organization, and your team. Asking yourself the following questions may be beneficial:
- Is my bank account capable of handling a workation?
- Is a proper, no-electronic-devices-allowed vacation really in order?
- Is it possible for me to continue working while on a workation?
- Am I jeopardizing projects or teams by making this decision?
- Is there anything less expensive that will satisfy my desire for travel, a change of scenery, or a break from work?
- Will I be able to connect and disengage at my leisure, rather than being tethered to one or the other?
If you think a workation is a good idea, go for it! We’re here to help you and your team with the shift.
Prerequisites for a productive work session-
There are some must-haves and nice-to-haves to correctly balance both words in this portmanteau. Have a look at the checklist to get started:
- Strong and consistent internet access
- Continuous power supply
- Communication and payment methods used in the workplace
- A suitable work environment, including a desk, an ergonomic chair, and adequate illumination
- Insurance for health and/or travel
- Access to any necessary devices, such as computers, tablets, printers, and larger screens
The bottom line is that efficiency should not be sacrificed throughout a workation. This could entail looking for lodging that includes the majority of your needs or bringing everything you’ll need with you.
Tips for making your office work for you and your colleagues-
Clear communication is essential for having fun at work without throwing your coworkers under the bus.
1- Talk to your boss and your team ahead of time-
While the WFH culture has become standard, we encourage that you inform your manager and team when you’re going on a workation. Making your plans known to everyone will give you the leeway you need to get set up (get decent WiFi, find the appropriate workstation, set your Slack status… you get the idea). Your boss or team lead is in a good position to help you negotiate your working hours or alter a few communication processes. Your employees will be more understanding of any hiccups because they know what to anticipate!
2- If you’re travelling internationally, keep in mind the time zones-
If you’re travelling to a different time zone, we strongly advise you to consider how this will affect your work and team communication. First, choose a location that is in the same time zone as you or one that has overlapping time zones. This way, you won’t have to change your work routine overnight, and you won’t feel overworked.
3- Choose your workation companions carefully-
Perhaps you’ve decided to bring your family along on your work vacation, or you’ve invited a couple of your pals. What you might consider a work vacation, they might consider a vacation. You risk getting minimal work (or play) done unless you communicate with them ahead of time and arrange how you’ll spend your time.
Make sure your travel companions are aware of your plans ahead of time. This manner, while they wait for you to do your work, they can do other things or visit the city a little.
4- Bring all of your work-related technology-
Make a list of everything you utilize when you’re in the zone. Notepads, post-its, pencils, earbuds, special documents, external hard drives, and other items may be included. Look around your office or WFH workspace and pack anything that looks vital to you. You’ll be set to start working without the worry of forgetting something crucial.
5- Look for shared workspaces to boost your productivity-
In 2021, finding a WeWork or Regus will be easy, especially if your job location is in a prominent city throughout the world. When you use shared workspaces, you’ll be in the company of other people who are also trying to get things done. This could both inspire and motivate you to achieve your everyday objectives.
If something goes wrong with your holiday home’s office, shared workspaces are an excellent backup. They will give you the ideal setting and backdrop for your meetings. So don’t be afraid to use offline workspaces!
Let’s get started!
Before you leave, a final word, pinky promise.
Communication and cooperation between you and your team are required during work sessions. Hence, you should define your work limits so that your job does not flow over into your vacation time or vice versa.
