Due to the pandemic, finding remote jobs is easier than ever. Some industries are better for online setups than others, such as customer service or IT. They are often popular choices for those looking to work while exploring the world.

Many opportunities only require you to have a computer and an internet connection. The good news is that these are widely available even in smaller countries like the Philippines.

This means your dream of working while travelling is within reach.

You may be employed in a role where you are free to work from wherever you like, or you may work on your own terms as a freelancer. Either way, there are several factors to consider if you want to be productive while being on holiday.

How to work and be productive while traveling

Remote work gives you the chance to discover new places while still being able to do the work you enjoy. The problem is, it becomes tempting to just explore and leave tasks for later. Stay grounded by following these reminders:

Make and stick to a routine

Create a schedule that will keep you on track while fulfilling the rest of your itinerary. You won’t have bosses or colleagues to look over your shoulder so learn how to avoid distractions yourself. When you know you have stuff to do but want to party, prioritise your routine.

Maybe start work at 9AM and stop at 6PM with some breaks in between. If you prefer a nighttime schedule, it might be easier to start at 8PM and end at 5AM the next day. It’s tempting to sleep in but it’s also tempting to continue exploring well into the evening, so set limits.

Join a co-working space

For anyone who wants a consistent work environment, this is a great idea. Cafes and restaurants don’t always have power outlets or internet connections. Co-working spaces are more suitable for working while traveling as they’re free of noise from diners and coffee machines.

You may choose to pay for a spot every month or every day, according to your needs. If you’re from a different city and travelling to Cebu, The Company has high-speed WiFi along with dedicated desks. If you’re in Manila, LOFT offers 24/7 access for members plus unlimited coffee.

Pack to work and travel

Packing for a holiday is already complicated but it’s even more so when you have to pack for remote work. If you don’t pack appropriately, you may forget a few crucial things that are needed for work rather than vacation. Here’s a list of things you must double-check are in your bags:

• Your computer, preferably a smaller laptop that won’t easily break while in transit
• A pocket WiFi dongle so you may access the internet even while you’re on the road
• Headphones or earphones with a noise-cancelling feature for taking important calls

Understand the time zones

If you’ve experienced working for multinational clients or companies, you’re familiar with time zones. Be aware of how these affect communication between you and your colleagues or employers. Check what time it is before you schedule any meetings or make phone calls.

You want to be especially mindful of countries that change clocks for Daylight Savings. There are plenty of tools online that will help you arrange calls with contacts in China, the USA, and the UK at a time most convenient for everyone.

Compute the travel costs

Avoid having your funds run out by calculating the costs beforehand. You might think that a certain amount is a lot but it won’t be if you don’t check the prices for accommodation, food, transport, and the like beforehand. Be sure to have extra money for emergencies prepared too.

If it’s your first time to experience working while traveling, it’s a good idea to travel locally first. Explore the beaches of Boracay or Bohol before you go to Thailand or the Maldives. There are sites worth seeing in Baguio or Tagaytay before visiting Colombia or Prague.

Be present online

When you’re one of only a few remote workers in otherwise non-remote companies, it’s easy for your colleagues to forget about you. Remind them that you’re there and ready to work on your tasks by communicating with them regularly, even if it’s just to say hi.

Offer to have regular phone conferences, video calls, or detailed emails once a week so you may provide a progress report on the stuff you’re working on. Stay in touch with your boss too, so they know if you need more time on a task and so on.

Keep an open mind

Do your homework but understand that every person is different. A city, attraction, hotel, or restaurant might have plenty of positive reviews but that won’t always mean you’ll feel the same. Retouched or professional photos may also set your expectations too high so research some more.

Even better, keep your expectations low so you will be pleasantly surprised if they actually match the testimonials you’ve read online. Enjoy the experience and interact with the locals so you have a better feel for each place. Doing so eases the transition for a different culture too.

Try working while traveling

Many people want to travel the world without having to worry about the unfinished tasks waiting for when they go home. There are lot of remote work opportunities these days so working while traveling has become a popular trend. The important thing is to remain productive while exploring.

Do you think you’re capable of juggling work with play? We at Remote Workmate have online jobs that may suit your needs. We’re connected to employers from all over the world but we will help you adjust to different time zones so why not give them a try?