If you work in an office, at a desk, or in any industry where the majority of your work is done on a computer or online, you might have come across the concept of the ‘workcation’.
Tied into the world of remote and flexible working, and the life of a digital nomad, the workcation is becoming an increasingly popular trend across a variety of sectors and industries. It allows you to book a cruise from Boston, or take advantage of schemes like Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa, but keep working, stay productive, and save precious vacation days!
The demands of work often make taking a workcation an extremely appealing option. It’s a great way to manage your workload while exploring the world. Traveling using only vacation time can be tough, and only 47% of all vacation time taken is used to go abroad. 23% of employees say they don’t use their vacations to travel, probably due to a lack of time.
If you are looking for more information, want to know more about the ins and outs of the concept, or just are interested in what it is all about, then look no further! Welcome to Workcation 101, the ultimate guide to a new work/life balance.
What is a workcation?
A workcation is essentially a toe dipped into the world of a digital nomad. It is a short period of time spent working remotely, ideally from an exotic destination or somewhere you’ve always dreamed of exploring but never had the time to visit. It is a working vacation that allows you to combine the flexibility of remote working with the opportunity to travel.
Back in 2018 only 10% of Americans reported having taken a workcation, but as remote working becomes more and more popular, so has the idea of a workcation.
With 25-30% of the workforce due to be working from home by the end of 2021, 75% of companies planning to shift to more remote working in the future, and 54% of employees saying they would be willing to move jobs in order to work remotely, this is the era of the workcation.
How to take a workcation
The key element to taking a workcation is to discuss it with your boss. Raise the idea of working remotely for a couple of weeks, address any concerns they might have, and demonstrate how you intend to accomplish it while staying productive.
Explain any reasons you might have, and show why a workcation is a better option than taking traditional time off. Be clear with your team and your bosses about how they can contact you, what your schedule will be like, and if it will have any impact on your work.
If you are going to need extra help with any projects, flag this up well in advance!
How to stay productive on a workcation
Setting a schedule and sticking to it is the best way to super-charge your productivity. You don’t want work to bleed into your vacation time, and vice versa. Set yourself up with a dedicated workspace (good WiFi is a must!), be strict with your hours and your timetable, and make sure you enjoy yourself when you finish up for the day!
A workcation offers huge benefits for employees who don’t have the vacation time to spend traveling the world but are still consumed with wanderlust. With workcations having been shown to benefit productivity as well as work/life balance and wellbeing, why not plan a different way of working and experiment with the life of a digital nomad!
