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With the rise of remote work, many are now able to work away from home, anywhere and anytime. You can be reviewing spreadsheets in a balcony overlooking an ocean or in a cozy café in the heart of Paris. Ambitious women no longer have to choose between advancing in their careers and traveling the world. Workcation is the best way to integrate work and life.

Here is a guideline for successfully implementing a workcation setup.

What is a Workcation? Redefining Your Out of Office

A workcation is a trip to new destinations while you continue to work. Instead of a vacation, you spend the majority of your time at work. The only difference is that you can work in pool lounges, in front of a beach, in homey cafes and other various locations in your destination, making the work much more enjoyable. These new sceneries can serve as an inspiring environment to fulfill work responsibilities efficiently.

Unlike digital nomads, a workcation is not a permanent commitment. It is more accessible and geared toward short-term trips. You use your remote work policies to their full advantage without disrupting your life outside of work. Instead of finding ways to balance work and life, you integrate the two together, experiencing personal enrichment while fulfilling professional duties.

Planning a Seamless Workcation

Here are some of the things you need to consider when laying the foundation for a smooth workcation.

1. Crafting the Perfect Pitch to Your Employer

When submitting a proposal to employers, frame it as a business case rather than a personal request. For example, highlight how it will benefit the company, such as increased focus in a new environment and quicker project completion without taking PTO.

Make sure to address all your concerns in a formal, written proposal. Include the exact dates and destination during your trip, as well as the time zone for critical work meetings. Make sure your communication plan details when you’ll be available on Slack or email, such as 9 AM to 5 PM EST.  Give employers assurance that you will have access to and fast, reliable internet connection. This crucial information is important in providing transparency and fostering trust in this workacation setup.

2. Choosing a Destination That Fuels Your Goals

The destination you choose should support your goals and set you up for success. For example, bustling megacities like Lisbon or Tokyo offer vibrant and reliable coworking scenes. They are great to tour during your downtime, as there is constant stimulation from events and hot spots. On the other hand, those who want to relax after work may find quieter places closer to nature more appealing. You can choose whether that’s beach towns, mountainous regions or campgrounds near lakes, to name just a few.

3. Handle the Logistics Beforehand

Logistics is an important part of making your workcation a success. Do thorough research beforehand, such as reviewing visa policies to understand the requirements and the length of your stay. Calculate the destination’s cost of living to set your budget. You don’t want to be stranded at the destination without money. As much as possible, avoid destinations where you need to work a night shift unless your employer approves a flexible or asynchronous work arrangement. Working night shifts can take a significant toll on your body.

For solo female travelers, prioritize safety above all. Choose destinations with low crime rates and a reputation for friendliness toward foreigners. Use reviews from other female travelers when looking for accommodations. Also, make sure to check your company’s travel and international health insurance policies. Other countries typically require them for entry.

4. Assembling Your Professional Remote Work Toolkit

As a remote worker, your technology kit is an investment toward an efficient work process. Make sure to bring essential items, such as high-quality noise-canceling headphones so noise from surrounding areas, such as busy cafes, won’t distract co-workers or clients during critical meetings. Another essential is a personal Wi-Fi hotspot to ensure fast internet connectivity wherever you go. If you need dual monitors for work, use a lightweight, portable monitor and power adapter.

How to Thrive on Your Workcation

Make sure to treat a workcation as work and not as a paid vacation. As such, developing a structured routine is important. Time-blocking can be an effective technique. Create a daily calendar and schedule work blocks in advance. Label them as tasks and meetings, so you know what to expect each day. After that, add in exploration blocks to sightsee the destination and unwind.

These two blocks are enough on their own to help you manage your time well. If you want further structure, you can add in errand blocks where you can do chores and errands, such as getting groceries and doing laundry or traveling to new destinations. Make sure to enforce strong work boundaries and communicate your working hours to your co-workers. Work should end the minute you close your laptop, so make sure to avoid checking emails. This boundary helps you stay engaged in the moment while exploring the destination or engaging in activities.

To fully immerse yourself in the destination, make sure to try living like a local. Visit local markets, try new food and learn about the culture. These efforts will enrich your life rather than just passively ticking off tourist spots in the itinerary.

Redefine Your Career, One Destination at a Time

A workcation is more than just a vacation with work on top. It provides new stimuli and environments to boost your productivity and enrich your life. Taking a break from a work-from-home setup can help avoid burnout.

The key to a successful workcation is in the planning. Proactively show transparency in your proposal, review visa policies and research accommodations for a safe and hassle-free trip. Additionally, it’s important to avoid checking work outside of the scheduled time so you can be fully present in your downtime exploration. This is the future of work, perfect for those brave enough to take the leap. You don’t have to save up your PTO or wait until you’re ready. Today is the perfect opportunity to start this life path.