Today’s work culture is blurring the line between work and personal time. With the rise of remote work, you can be in a dedicated meeting space in Tokyo in the morning and explore the best ramen places by lunch. And thanks to high-speed internet connections, you can be island hopping in the tropics without lagging on emails or missing important business calls.
The idea of working while traveling, or “workation,” has become increasingly popular for these reasons:
· Better productivity
There’s no doubt that, when burnout sets in, you start to lose the creativity and enthusiasm to perform well. When you’re on a workation, you have more freedom to take breaks in between tasks to recharge your batteries–and not feel guilty about it!
· More flexibility
Workation allows you to switch between “work mode” and “leisure mode” to match your most productive hours. Sometimes, working in shorter, more focused sessions can be more productive than sitting for long hours.
· Boosts mental health and well-being
More Americans want to travel because they don’t want to miss precious time with family, while some simply want to avoid burnout. Travel guilt is real. It’s either you feel like you’re slacking off when you’re taking time off for yourself, or you’re missing quality time by bringing work with you on vacation. In fact, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. You can have the best of both worlds.
· Cost savings
If you’re planning an extended stay or a team event, workation can be more economical than taking separate trips for work and vacation.
· Building professional relationships
Workation is not always a solo thing. Sometimes, it involves traveling with colleagues or attending business events in a different location or traveling with colleagues. Being in “travel mode” rather than in a formal professional setting can help teams to bond and foster a collaborative spirit.
How to Make Your Workation Worthwhile
Working while on vacation sounds stressful, but it really isn’t. Just make sure to have fun and keep these things in mind:
1. Plan it in advance.
Before booking your tickets, prioritize your tasks by urgency so nothing important is overlooked and you can plan your activities around key deadlines.
2. Optimize your transit times.
If it’s a long flight or there’s a layover, why not pick up small tasks like checking emails, reviewing documents, or reading reports? It takes a few minutes—minimal distraction.
3. Follow a routine.
If you’re someone who works best with a schedule, set your hours for work and breaks. Having a routine will help you stay focused even when you’re changing places.
4. Rest.
Vacations are expensive, so it’s normal to want to do as many activities in one day as possible. But the goal here is to enjoy a nice work-life balance. Make sure to get quality sleep, stay hydrated, and eat well.
5. Use workspaces to your advantage.
Instead of packing a bunch of work gear like power strips and travel adapters, look for comfortable workspaces at your destination. Whether your team requires a formal meeting venue or you need a secure environment for taking sensitive calls, a dedicated workspace is a great option. For example, booking a meeting room at a hotel provides all the equipment as well as secure technology needed for a productive and seamless event.
If you need a well-equipped and strategically located meeting space for your next Tokyo trip, check out the Pullman Tokyo Tamachi.
