How to Make an Extended Workation Possible

Business never stops, no matter what industry you’re in. And it definitely doesn’t stop when you take a vacation. Though I had a unique opportunity to travel the world while staying a full-time remote worker, there are a lot of workers who don’t even bother with traveling for pleasure because they feel they need to be constantly chained to their desk to be successful. And if they do travel for vacation, they may feel guilty for taking more than just a few days off. That’s why an extended workation is a great option.

Enough is enough! It’s possible to have the best of both worlds. Taking a workation, or an extended workation, is not an uncommon phenomenon in today’s workplace. In fact, in 2013 PGi polled their base customers on their working habits while on vacation, and the survey found that 82 percent of respondents connect to the office while on vacation. That’s a lot of people!

So, what does it take to pull off a successful workation?

Check out these three things that will make sure your next extended workation will be worry-free and successful:

1. Digital Devices.

When I was traveling, I was basically a walking Best Buy. I had my smartphone, tablet, and laptop on me pretty much at all times, which covered almost any type of virtual meeting I needed to take. If you’re packing light, however, really think about which tool is going to be the most useful for you. Can you check your email on it? What about accessing important presentations or documents? Can you join a video conference?

If you have room, pack more than one digital device just in case something happens to one of them. As Murphy’s Law states, anything that can go wrong will. It’s always better to be prepared, especially when you’re on an extended workation!

2. Quality WiFi.

I cannot begin to express how important it is to be savvy about finding quality WiFi when you’re traveling, specifically if you’re going overseas. You may have a weak or nonexistent signal from your mobile carrier, so relying on your smartphone to access a meeting could spell trouble.

If you are taking an extended workation abroad, check and see if your hotel has free WiFi or data plans you can purchase upon your arrival. If not, look for a popular chain café or restaurant that offers WiFi throughout your destination.

And if desperate times call for desperate measures, you could always ask (nicely!) for an Ethernet cord from the hotel staff to plug into your laptop. When I was staying in India, our hotel stretched a 200 foot cord from the main office to the cabin we were staying in!

3. The Right Apps.

In order to keep up with the pace of work, be prepared with the right online tools and apps to make meetings happen wherever you are. Look for apps that will allow you to use video and audio to conference into meetings. Giving a little face time while you’re out of the office will make you feel more connected than just collaborating through emails.

Use these tools to take some time off and never miss a beat of what’s going on with your team and workplace. Workations are what you make them, so enjoy your time off and if you feel like it, extend it—you’ve got the tools you need!

Originally from Houston, Cora Rodenbusch graduated from the University of Texas with a BS and MA in advertising. Her corporate career began in account management working at GSD&M in Austin, TX. She joined PGi as a community manager in 2009, and transitioned to the Strategic Communications Team in 2011. While at PGi, Cora was awarded a gold Stevie Award for 2012’s Communications Professional of the Year and secured Ragan’s 2011 Employee Communications Award for Best Employee Magazine. She loves her job and currently serves as PGi’s Senior Communications Manager. When not traveling the globe, Cora and her husband reside in Austin, TX, with their children, Eleanor and Whitfield.