Remote working is now a fact of life. It’s perfectly possible to work efficiently from another location, yet there are challenges involved in truly effective remote working. How do you keep your focus when there are so many fun things to do at your destination? Remote working offers a unique opportunity to explore the world while remaining productive. Whether you choose to workation in a sunny tropical destination or decide to stay closer to home, here are 10 tips to make remote working a success.
1. Plan your workation
Before you travel, it is crucial to make a thorough plan. It all starts with choosing a convenient time to leave. Consider the busyness of your work and personal commitments. Make sure that your departure does not coincide with important deadlines or commitments so that you can fully concentrate on your work as well as your new surroundings. You can read more about how to make such a plan and what exactly you need to think about here.
2. The right work-life balance
A healthy work-life balance is essential, especially if you work remotely. It can be tempting to let your workday go on endlessly when you’re in a different time zone or don’t have a clear separation between work and leisure. Make sure you set clear boundaries for work hours and free time so you can enjoy both to the fullest. On the other hand, putting in enough hours can also be challenging. Because at your new destination there will undoubtedly be a lot to do and a lot of stimuli. You must be able to resist these temptations, otherwise the quality of your work will suffer. Of course that is not the intention and your colleagues and/or clients will not appreciate it.
3. Make a realistic schedule
A structured schedule helps you achieve your goals and avoid stress. Even before your workation, make a realistic weekly schedule so you don’t fall behind the times on the spot. Incorporate your travel time into this, too, and don’t underestimate how much time it takes to get from A to B. 
In addition to making a schedule, next important is self-discipline, to stick to it. Create a clear structure in your day, scheduling set times for work, breaks and relaxation. This helps maintain a sense of routine, even in a new environment.
4. Make good arrangements with your employer or client
For a successful remote work experience, it is important to have clear agreements with your employer or client. Not only if you work for a boss should you make agreements, even as a freelancer you probably have some accountability to your working relationships. Discuss expectations about working hours, accessibility and deliverables. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures that everyone is on the same page about your availability and performance. There may even be a Workation Policy you need to discuss. Find more tips on talking to your employer about your workation here.
5. Provide a good workplace
A comfortable and efficient workplace is essential to staying productive when you work in a different place. Especially if that place is new to you. My favorite places are:
- Coworking space
- Coliving
- Good accommodation
- Work Café
Consider using a coworking space or staying with a coliving, where you can work in a professional environment and meet other remote workers. Also, make sure your workspace is ergonomically designed, especially if your employer plays a role in facilitating your workspace. 
6. Resist temptations and distractions
In a new environment, there are often more distractions than at home. It is important to resist temptations that can hinder your productivity. Create a work environment where you can concentrate well, and set boundaries for yourself to minimize distractions. Don’t be too hard on yourself, either, because getting new experiences is really part of a workation. You’re going somewhere new for a reason. But be realistic in your schedule and how much time you have for work and play.
7. Be flexible
Flexibility is the key to a successful remote work experience. You will likely encounter a new environment, new people and perhaps unexpected expenses. Things sometimes go differently than planned, but with a flexible attitude, you can turn these challenges into opportunities. Learn to improvise and make adjustments as needed. F*ck up #1. I’ve had to “rethink” several times during my workations. Even if you prepare everything to perfection, things can go wrong. Or simply go differently than you had thought of. I once had a workstation at a tropical destination where the air conditioning broke down and I was sitting with a sweaty forehead in a video meeting with a new client. Fortunately, we were both able to laugh about it and it was a fun opportunity to share more about my workation. F*ck up #2. Or that time I had found a nice work cafe in Spain where you could work with your laptop. There were a lot of digital nomads working there so it seemed like a good place. Unfortunately, I had scheduled an important work meeting at 2 p.m., but didn’t realize that Spaniards have lunch then. And in the process they go out and chat (loudly). Which made my meeting completely unintelligible. You learn from that too.
8. Communicate about your workation
Transparency about your workation is important, both to avoid misunderstandings and to let your network know that you remain available. Be careful what you share on social media; you don’t want to give the impression that you’re vacationing more than working. In addition, stay in regular contact with your team and supervisors to keep everyone informed of your progress. 
9. Go networking
It is so much fun to meet new people while traveling. Whether that’s friendship or business. I have already made several good friendships from my workations and even started working with 3 people I know that way. I also now have friends all over the world, so much fun! It can bring valuable business opportunities and helps you gain new insights and perspectives. Go to local events or meet other remote workers in coworking spaces for example. Expanding your network can boost your career and enrich your workation even more.
10. Enjoy your new experience
Don’t forget to enjoy your workation! Maybe you find it exciting, maybe you had a lot to arrange for it. Maybe your supervisor or your client sputtered and you’re under a little pressure as a result. Take time to explore the new environment, relax and have new experiences. Share your experiences afterwards in a guest blog or via social media. By sharing your experiences, you can inspire others to also make the move to remote work. Would you like to write a guest blog for workingremotely.nl, Then send me a message!
Conclusion
Remote working offers many benefits, but it also requires adaptability and discipline. By creating a good workspace and setting clear working hours, you can increase your productivity and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Also, remember to actively communicate and stay engaged with your team and/or work relationships, and make time for social interactions. With these 10 tips, you can turn your remote work adventure into a successful and memorable experience. So plan carefully, stay flexible and enjoy the opportunities that remote working offers!
Read more about remote working and workations:
- An unforgettable workation experience in idyllic Italy
- Finance around workations: what expenses are deductible?
- This is how I scored my remote job
