Wanderlust Workaholic: Savvy Strategies for Managing Work on Vacation

If you are one of those lucky Ducks who can effortlessly disconnect from work for a solid two weeks, well, big kudos to you for mastering the art of work-life balance! But not all of us feel like we have that luxury of unplugging completely on an epic European vacation or embarking on alumni cruises that span time zones faster than you can say “jet lag.” Personally, my work often involves some such cruises while my colleagues continue plugging along on Pacific Time. Neglecting work duties while soaking in the Mediterranean sun isn’t an option for me, so I’ve concocted a master plan to keep the ship sailing smoothly. Here are some tips on managing work from abroad or during an extended vacation.

First things first: let your team and clients know your availability and expectations before you take off. Make it clear when you’ll be reachable and how they can reach you in case of an emergency (and gold star if you communicate your definition of emergency.) Establish firm boundaries and priorities for yourself–like deciding when to be fully engaged with your travel companions or absorbed in the beauty (and bounty!) of a vineyard in Provence. It’s all about making those savvy choices for yourself in advance.

Flex your leadership muscles and delegate tasks and responsibilities. Entrust your colleagues or teammates with the reins, equip them with the necessary intel and resources, and then step back and let them shine. Resist the urge to micromanage from afar; trust that they’ve got this.

Carve out a sliver of time each day or week to sift through emails and messages, but don’t let them consume your holiday. If you’re traveling with a partner or spouse, communicate your designated work times up front. Employ filters, folders, and auto-replies to organize your inbox and minimize distractions. Reserve your energy for tackling the truly urgent matters while the rest can wait for your return.

Identify what tools and apps that will make remote work a breeze while traveling. Personally, I stash all project-related documents in a cloud folder accessible from any device, sparing me the hassle of wrestling with the office VPN, except when absolutely necessary. With the unpredictable internet in remote locations or on cruises, bandwidth becomes a precious commodity, so this trick will save your sanity. Keep your video conferencing and project management apps primed and ready on your phone for easy access to track progress and deadlines.

Finally, and most importantly, if you find yourself cruising down the Nile or sipping sangria on the Spanish coast, revel in the moment guilt free. You’ve earned this break from work. Remember, downtime isn’t just a luxury, it’s a productivity-boosting, creatively-fueling necessity. So, kick-back, soak up the sun, and return rejuvenated with a new outlook on the world–or at least on tackling your inbox.