6. October 2011
| by
John
Maybe you’re taking a vacation to get some extra work done, you know – for the solitude. Or maybe you have a huge workload and have to bring it with you during your family’s annual trip to one of those beautiful Alberta cabins. Either way, it can prove to be rewarding at best or murderous at the very worst. Here are four tips to help you keep your head on.
Don’t Choose an Abandoned Place
Let’s learn from the mistakes of others – don’t choose a location too secluded. It may be tempting to choose a destination so far from civilization that you’re sure not to run into anyone else, but think about your creature comforts. Try and stay close enough to a town that running in to do a few errands doesn’t take the whole day. Saying hello to a real person when you pick up some groceries can make all the difference.
All Work and No Play…
...and you know the rest. The key to a successful work vacation is to stay balanced. Set yourself a schedule that works for you. This could mean working in the morning, and spending leisurely afternoons with your family. It could mean alternating work and play days. However you slice it, make sure to divide your time equally, allowing yourself ample time for both hard work and relaxation. This alternation will ensure that you feel refreshed each time you return to your work, so you can truly reap the benefits of a vacation.
Lugging That Typewriter
Unless you really can’t function without it, we strongly suggest not bringing your typewriter. Try to bring the most easily packable tools that will allow you to get your work done. If the bulk of your work consists of emailing and writing, it might be worthwhile to invest in a tablet, instead of bringing your heftier laptop. If you will need internet access in a place where none exists, look into a 3G-enabled device or a USB modem.
Bring the Family Along
We recommend having the whole family along on a working vacation, with the notable exception of any children possessing psychic abilities. This may severely hamper any progress you hope to make on that manuscript. Having your family members around can make for a great working vacation, but just make sure that they know your work/play schedule in advance and that they’re willing to respect it.
Voila! If you follow the four pieces of advice outlined above, we can almost guarantee you a successful, rewarding work vacation. You can be productive and enjoy some downtime in the same trip. We wish you the best of luck, and remember, stay out of room 237.
