How a working vacation can work for you

You can, according to the growing number of people who plan vacation and travel with work in mind. It’s how you approach your time away that makes all the difference.

Know yourself

Maybe you’re already working offsite, at home or a shared workspace. Or maybe, you’re ready to try it for the first time. Assess your working style to structure your days away from the office.

When are you most productive? Can you focus on work while others are off playing? Also, consider the needs of your traveling companions, especially family. The more you work, the less fun it is for your partner and kids. Use a vacation itinerary template to plan your time and help balance their needs and yours.

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Do your homework

Deciding when to schedule a work vacation takes some thought. Avoid leaving during your busy season or while working on a project that needs more onsite engagement. Consider your workload to determine what work is possible remotely and what requires you in the office.

If you have a big project coming up, try doing as much as you can before you leave. An online to-do list can help make sure you’ve covered all the bases. It’s also wise to designate one of your coworkers as a backup, so be sure to check schedules to see who’s available to step in while you’re out.

Set parameters

Once you’ve nailed down dates for your working vacation, figure out the times dedicated to work. Setting ground rules on when you’ll be available and when you won’t is key to balancing play and productivity.

Some people find bracketing their days works well, using early mornings for more focused work, and late afternoons for a check-in. Use planner templates to plan down to the smallest detail—when you’ll look at email, when you’ll accept calls, and how to reach you if something is genuinely urgent. Be sure to alert your clients and coworkers about your limited availability. Finally, be clear about what and how much work you’ll do. Don’t let scope creep detract from your fun.

Speaking of fun, pencil in plenty of it. Take a break from work considerations and explore how you’ll feed your sense of adventure (and need for relaxation). A vacation checklist or trip planner could be a great resource to get you started. And since you are on the clock, you may find that this time, the helicopter ride or fishing excursion fits into your vacation budget.

Tools and space

What work tools you pack depends on where you’re going and what needs to get done. A laptop or tablet is a no-brainer, unless you can work on shared computers in a business center (make sure your hotel has one).

Most places offer wi-fi, but check beforehand, especially if you’re traveling to somewhere more remote.

Look into the wi-fi’s signal strength as well, if you need to access large files over the internet. You might want to set up a wi-fi hotspot on your phone, or even invest in a portable router before you leave.

As you explore places to stay, be mindful of where you work best. Carving out a space that suits your style and is just for work—the desk in your hotel room, the sunporch of your Airbnb, the corner café, helps create boundaries.

Don’t forget to relax

A work vacation is still, at its heart, a vacation. And a respite is essential to prevent burnout. Give yourself plenty of time to recharge and replenish. All that relaxation is good for the soul. Moreover, it boosts creativity, lets in new ideas, and will likely enhance your productivity once you return to the office.

Take at least one day to completely unplug and be open to new life experiences.

Staying engaged in both work and play while on vacation isn’t always easy, but with focus, discipline and enough planning, you’ll enjoy every minute of it. Who knows? You might even be inspired to plan next year’s working getaway.