Having too much fun without taking on other responsibilities can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare.
If you work or study remotely and want to travel, you can do both simultaneously. But it makes sense to know how to manage your daily responsibilities while enjoying your international excursions.
According to UN Tourism, it is estimated 790 million tourists traveled abroad from January to July this year, an increase of 11% compared to the same period last year. So people don't stay where they are. They travel by plane, boat, train and other means of transportation to see the world.
Work and school commitments are reasons why some people put travel on the back burner.
That's one of the best things about remote jobs and studies: you can do them virtually anywhere. As long as you have the discipline to follow the requirements and internet access to connect and get things done, there's no reason why you can't travel the world on your terms.
But the key here is discipline. You don't want to spend the whole day visiting tourist spots, delighting your taste buds with authentic ethnic cuisine and experiencing the nightlife – leaving you with little or no time to keep up with your work or assignments. It would be a disaster.
So you can travel and stay on top of your work or school responsibilities, here are four tips to ensure you can have the cake and eat it too.
1. Plan Ahead
The first thing to do is plan ahead. You've probably heard the saying, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” You can eliminate many obstacles and make working or studying remotely easier if you have a plan in place so you know when to work and when to play when traveling abroad.
You'll want to plan your day by factoring things like time zones, things you want to do and see, and possibly family commitments into the equation. Everything will be easier if you plan before the trip.
2. Make sure you have what you need
Working or taking distance learning courses abroad will be easier and go much smoother if you have everything you need. This is a reason to select the right accommodations. If you need several hours of high-speed internet access per day, make sure you stay somewhere with quality availability.
Some hotels offer free Internet access while others may charge for this service. Either way, it's in your best interest to find a place with high-speed internet access and comfortable accommodations so you can work or complete your studies.
If you're earning a degree, study for CEUs online or Live Online CEUTo earn certificates or certifications, or to complete professional projects, you need a place to sit, internet access, and plenty of time. But if you have what you need, you can work virtually anywhere.
3. Set firm boundaries
During a trip, you have to set limits. This is easier to do if you are traveling alone. You may work best early in the morning, which means you may need uninterrupted time in the morning to get things done so you can spend the rest of the day exploring your host country.
You'll want to get out and see the sights, hear the sounds, and mingle with the locals. If you know how to plan your day well, you will have time to enjoy your trip.
4. Maintain a routine
Establishing and maintaining a routine will help you balance work, school, and international travel. If you're a morning person, working in the morning and early afternoon can give you plenty of time in the late afternoon and evening to get out and explore. You will adopt a rhythm that will make it easier to maintain a good balance between professional and private life on vacation.
These are some things to remember if you'd like to travel but can't be as carefree as you'd like. Working or studying remotely offers advantages since you can complete tasks from anywhere as long as you have reliable internet access.
However, having too much fun without taking on other responsibilities can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare.
