Recently, I had the opportunity to work remotely while fulfilling a personal goal of solo travel. For about four months, I moved around Puerto Rico staying in various Airbnbs across the island. It had me thinking that this could become the new norm for remote workers who have the ability to work from various locations.
I’m sure that a lot of employers may look at this as a risk for productivity and I’d be lying if I said I did not have my moments. But overall, this experience was a huge motivator to be successful. I was so grateful for this opportunity that I wanted to prove to myself and others that this style of remote work is possible.
Here are three things I learned while balancing work and travel:
1. Finding a routine and familiarity is crucial while in an unfamiliar environment
There were a few things I quickly had to adjust to while in new settings. I ran into instances where my work setup (desk, chair, lighting, etc.) was makeshift or less than ideal. In some locations, outside noise from the street was a concern for my calls and my ability to focus without distraction. And after having to lean on my iPhone’s personal hotspot, confirming that the lodging offers reliable and secure wifi was paramount for my ability to work remotely. Overall, I tried to look at these instances as part of the experience and did my best to not allow them to negatively impact my workflow.
2. My free time became much more valuable to me
Instead of getting off work and leaving my home office to move to the living room, I was excited to get outside and explore. I was much more present, aware of my surroundings, and open to new experiences.
3. Work and travel do not have to be mutually exclusive
A friend who was unsure of my work arrangement said: “That is awesome you were able to take off work to travel”. But I didn’t take off work to travel; I combined the two. I was empowered to work WHILE going after my personal goals. This was the optimal work-life balance experience.
I hope that when it is possible, other workplaces can embrace similar remote work opportunities for their employees.
Written by: Emily Onheiser, Senior Search Consultant at Hunter Crown, LLC
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