How to Handle Summer Vacations as a Remote Worker

In an ideal world, you’d be able to clock out of work one day and go immediately into vacation mode. But many workers find themselves doing a little work even when warmer summer months come calling. And it can be hard to work while other people (especially kids) are in vacay mode—and you’re stuck scrambling to hit your deadlines. That shouldn’t stop you from having a fab summer, though. Below are a few tips to handle summer vacations as a remote worker!

1. Do take a vacation.

Sure, some of your office-bound buddies might think that working from home is already vacation enough. And with all the work-life balance you have in working remotely, you might be tempted to cut your vacation short—or not take one at all—because you feel a little guilty. Don’t let your remote worker status deter you from enjoying a great vacation with your friends, family, or by yourself. Every employee, whether they’re remote or not, deserves a getaway from work.

2. Budget your time.

Let’s say that you’re planning to include a little work into your R&R so that you don’t come back from your vacation all stressed out about the amount of work waiting for you. While that can be a smart move, it’s easy to let work take over, and you’ll suddenly find yourself spending more time in your hotel room or the lobby working away while your family hits the water park without you. So if you do decide to stay on top of work, make a plan for what you’ll do each day, such as answering urgent emails or tying up some loose ends, and leave the rest—such as tackling a new assignment—for après vacation.

3. Call ahead.

If you’re going to be at a hotel, the beach, or at the summit of a mountain, you’ll want to make sure that you have solid Internet. You don’t want to hit any dead spots, or worse, super spotty Internet connection that will make you want to throw your laptop to the ground! Find out about your Internet options before you book your travel plans.

4. Set expectations.

If you’re traveling with your family, they might be in party mode—while you’re in project deadline mode. Before you hit the beach (or the bar!) let everyone know what they can expect of you during your vacation. You might need to work a few hours each morning, so work together to schedule some activities that they can do and plan to meet up with them later. If everyone is clear about what needs to be done—and respects the fact that you need to work—you’ll all have a much easier (and enjoyable) time.

5. Travel prepared.

In order to have a more successful summer vacation, it’s a good idea to bring a travel kit, not just for potential boo boos but also for work emergencies, too. That might mean having an extra mouse with you, fresh AA batteries, extra power cords, and anything else that will assist you in working remotely.

6. Have fun!

It might seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how quickly summer vacations can pass without you getting to enjoy them with your loved ones. So don’t let work suck up all your time; set a timer if you have to so you make sure that you get to enjoy your vacation, no matter how much work you might have to do!

Summer might seem like a bummer when you’re a remote worker, but knowing how to balance your work life and your personal life during the hot summer days can keep you productive—and allow you to enjoy your summer, too!