Most people have seen more of their homes than they’d like during the previous eighteen months. In addition to staying home, remote work has made everyone more insular.
However, as working remotely became the go-to solution for so many people, some exciting options have opened up. Today, we can dare to take long trips and visit other places while staying on top of our work assignments.
After a long period of being stuck at home, plenty of people are welcoming this possibility. Travelling is now more appealing than ever before. If you’re tempted to take your job on a road trip or a mini-vacation, there’s no reason not to do so.
Still, it’s best to ensure that you don’t get caught unprepared if something pops up at work while you’re away. Even though you’re working remotely, you should be as efficient as if you were in the office.
You’ll need some reliable tools to make your time away as enjoyable as possible without missing out on work. And bringing along only your laptop won’t be enough. Here’s a practical guide for all of the essentials you’ll need to stay productive while travelling.
Complete Laptop Gear
Remote work without a laptop is unimaginable. When packing for your trip, that’s undoubtedly the first thing you’ll make room for in your luggage. But the computer isn’t the only item you’ll need to make your workdays flow without a hitch.
Many peripherals make working on a laptop easier and more comfortable. Unfortunately, these accessories are small, and it’s not uncommon to leave them behind by accident. When packing your work essentials, make sure not to forget your mouse and keyboard if you’re using external variants. Memory storage devices, like hard drives or USB sticks, could also come in handy.
If you’re used to working on your phone or don’t feel like your laptop monitor is doing the best job, you could bring a portable monitor. In case you don’t have one yet, you should consider upgrading your gear with something like Lumonitor. These are super-thin, 4K touchscreen monitors perfectly suitable for everything from working to gaming.
If you want to work on the go, having a portable workstation for your setup wouldn’t be a bad idea. These workstations are usually compact and light, ready to be packed inside your luggage. They allow you to keep your monitor at eye level and organize the rest of your gear to match the layout from an office. If your workday requires sitting in front of the computer for hours on end, a portable workstation will save you from the dreaded neck strain.
Finally, make sure to bring the one thing your setup won’t work without – the power cable. It might sound funny, but power cables are among the things people forget most often. When you pack the cable, also remember to bring plugin converters if you’re travelling to a country that uses different types.
Don’t Forget the Headphones
While many people don’t think of headphones as an essential accessory, they might prove vital while you’re travelling. You might not get perfect conditions for work at your destination unless you plan on spending every day inside a hotel room, which defeats the point of travelling anywhere.
Taking your work outside is a great way to break the monotony and bring some life into your daily tasks. You might want to work at a coffee shop, the beach, or a public park. In those situations, you’ll need some serious noise cancellation, and quality headphones will be your best friend.
Even if you decide to work only in your hotel, campsite, or whatever accommodation you have, there’s no telling what kinds of distractions might be there. You could be camping right next to a family with noisy kids. Or the lively cafe you’re at might be busy all throughout the day. Even hotels aren’t guaranteed to be ideally calm and quiet – other guests could be of the restless type, and you might get an unpleasant surprise from trains, planes, or heavy traffic nearby.
When you take all of these possibilities into account, having a pair of headphones starts to seem crucial. And you don’t have to rely on the bulky type that covers your ears – there are earbuds with excellent noise cancellation that could save your workday when the environment ramps up the volume.
Make Sure to Stay Online
Remote work is all about internet access. Whether you’re expecting a Zoom call or virtual meeting, need an internet connection to be present on Slack, or have to submit your work the same day, you’ll need to know that you can get online at any moment.
Your smartphone can be a good solution. Setting up a mobile hotspot is relatively easy, but your connection might not be reliable enough to last you through the workday. Your hotspot’s strength will depend on many factors, such as your location, service provider, and the make of your phone.
In most cases, mobile hotspots will be sufficient for a quick email check or other tasks where you only need to pop online briefly. For anything more than that, it would be best to invest in a portable hotspot. These devices have a better signal reception and a decent output, making your connection much more stable and stronger.
If your work relies on staying online, avoid uncertainty with internet connections by equipping yourself with the right tech.
Organize Everything
Even if you have all of the gadgets in the world, they won’t do you much good if you keep misplacing them. You won’t be able to stay productive if you keep wondering where you put various pieces of your gear. Even worse, poor organization can cause you to forget a crucial gadget in a public place.
Working while travelling will require an orderly approach to your work tools. For a start, make a checklist of all of the things you’ll be carrying around and keep it readily available. This list will be essential whenever you need to pack your gear, and it might save you precious time when looking for a particular item.
There are many options for packing your work equipment, but a dedicated bag or case would be the best choice. Even better, there are bags specifically designed for laptops and the accompanying gear. In terms of organization, these can turn out to be a life-saver.
Getting a suitable case or bag for all your accessories will also be useful for keeping them safe from damage. You’ll feel at ease once you know all of your work essentials are secure in one place, and you’ll never forget your mouse, power cable, or keyboard again.
Additional Power
Finally, you might not have constant access to power on your trip. If you need to spend several days on the road or find yourself at a campsite without proper outlets, you’ll still need to charge your devices to get the work done.
Luckily, there are portable batteries to bring along, and some of them can provide enough energy to keep your equipment running for a couple of days. Alternatively, you could use solar panels, especially if travelling to a location with plenty of sunlight.
With the power supply secured, you’ll have all you need for an ideal working vacation.
Get all of the essential gear organized and ready to go, and nothing will stop you from taking your work on a journey.
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