In our modern-day world of constant digital access, there’s more pressure than ever for employees (and even self-employed individuals) to work when they’re supposed to be disconnecting. Maybe there’s a big project at work, or you’re trying to earn a little extra cash to afford the trip you’re taking–or maybe you didn’t want to use up all your hard-earned vacation time in one blow. In any case, you end up ditching the vacation for a workcation. (If you want hard stats on the reality of workcations in America, check out this article.)
Now, workcations aren’t always a bad thing. In fact, they can be a great way to travel more or spend extra time with your family, even if that involves a few hours behind a computer. But there are also some pitfalls. For example, many people struggle with working too hard or not hard enough on their workcations. Others have trouble disconnecting from work because their to-do list is nagging their brain the whole time. It’s a struggle!
So, how do you overcome these issues to maximize a workcation and get equal parts work and play? Your game plan for success is below.
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Stick to a Routine
Staying consistent with your routine will help your brain prepare to power through your tasks and be productive when needed.
While it may be tempting to sleep in or wake up at the crack of dawn to do all your work before the family wakes up, don’t. Do your best to follow a regular routine, including your sleep schedule, meals, and staying hydrated. You may even benefit from getting fully dressed rather than lounging around in your PJs. And don’t forget to stick to your regular exercise routine (although maybe a pared-down version if you’re a gym junkie) to keep your blood flowing and avoid sluggishness.
Pick Accommodations with a Good Workspace
I’d be lying if I said I’ve never done the work part of my workcation from the bed. I mean, if I have to stay in while everyone else parties, I might as well be comfy, right? Wrong! And I knew it when I did it.
You will be significantly more productive if you have a good workspace to focus in. In most cases, that is not your bed, the kitchen table, or a coffee table in your hotel. You need a desk, steady wifi, and a good chair to keep you focused and comfortable while confining your workload to one space.
If you’re staying in a vacation rental, many homes will have at least one bedroom with a desk and chair. You just have to look through the photos. However, if you plan to stay in a hotel, you can use TripOffice to shortcut this process. Their site uses AI to identify hotels and apartments that offer desks and ergonomic chairs, so you don’t have to sift through listings and photos. You can just input your destination and dates, and their search engine will automatically pull up all the hotels with suitable workspaces! How cool!
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Prioritize Like Crazy
When working remotely, it’s important to focus exclusively on the tasks that can be done from afar and ignore everything else.
You’re not in the office, so don’t bring anything that requires you to physically be there to make real progress. Try to finish any in-person projects before you leave so nothing is hanging over your head–or get your work bestie to handle the final details for you. Having some half-finished assignments cluttered up your vacation space won’t do you any good.
With that said, embrace the word “no.” This is not the time to accept new projects or requests that will take away from your vacation time. Put your focus on the planned work you have so you can prioritize what’s important–your mental health and family time. If this is really hard for you (I get it; I’m a people-pleaser), you can always say you’ll be happy to take on the project when you return to the office.
Schedule Your Workcation into Time Blocks
Whether you struggle with working too much or too little on vacation, creating a schedule in advance can really help you get the best of both worlds.
Before you leave, create a plan outlining the exact hours you plan to work and the days you plan to take off completely. Don’t forget to include a little extra time for slow internet or unexpected interruptions. This will help you know when you need to be “on” and when you can let yourself relax.
When those work hours are over, disconnect completely. Let your colleagues know when they can expect you online, and put your work phone and email on silent! It’s also a good idea to set up an autoresponder to minimize the pressure of responding immediately.
Include Workcation Breaks
Remember that this is a work vacation! Unless your manager specifies you have to be online at regular working hours, don’t forget to schedule breaks and relaxation into those time blocks. After all, you’re in a vacation environment, so go out and take advantage of the local restaurants, the fresh air, or fun activities. Just be sure to structure your break in a way that’s refreshing and allows you to get back to work productively when you need to.
For those of you who struggle to fully step away from the computer (or your phone), try this: schedule a tour or list of activities, starting at a specific time. Especially if you’ve paid for a timed tour, it will be much easier to walk away and focus on time with your family!
TripAdvisor has an itinerary tool that works perfectly with this time-blocking strategy. You can create an itinerary of things to do and even book tours directly through the site to keep it all in one place. You don’t have to go crazy filling up your schedule. But it can be easier to put a hard stop to work by transitioning to an activity rather than heading to the next room over where your laptop’s still easily within reach.
Maximize Your Work Flow
If your managers are less concerned with time spent online and more focused on getting a specified amount of work done, you can benefit a lot from streamlining all your processes.
For example, do similar tasks (like answering/writing emails, making phone calls, or creating reports) at the same time so you’re not constantly switching your focus.
One of my personal favorite “hacks” is a portable external monitor. Switching to just your laptop can be a huge adjustment, especially if you’re used to having a big desktop or a second monitor at work. But a second monitor minimizes tab switching and lets you keep all the important stuff in front of you. It can also make your work environment feel more “immersive” and drown out those extra distractions.
Download What You Can
Let’s face it: there will probably be at least one time when the internet is slow, and you can’t get your work to load. In those cases, having your files and essential apps pre-downloaded can make your life much easier. If possible, switch your settings to “offline mode” so you can keep working without the internet and avoid disruptions.
This is also great if you just can’t take it anymore and want to take your work to the pool or beach. I don’t recommend doing this often, but… at least you have the option.
Closing Thoughts on Maximizing A Workcation
Working on your vacation may not be ideal, but there is a way to make it more bearable! Follow these simple steps on your next workcation, and you’ll find a much better balance of work and play.
The biggest key is consistency. Be consistent about keeping a schedule, setting priorities, working in your designated space, etc., and it’ll be much easier to make this vacation work for you.
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