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As we enter this new unique world of work, where most things are remote and things can be completed virtual, it has opened up a whole new list of opportunities for us. Traveling is something many people can do now without restrictions and it won’t even get in the way of working, unless you let it.
We’re now a few years into remote working and people have had a chance to work while traveling on vacation, living as digital nomads, or whatever they want to do. But how are people feeling about it? Can it be done? Can it be sustained over a long period of time?
We talked to a few experts and provided our own thoughts below:
1) Mental health benefits:
“I believe that traveling anywhere for a fresh perspective and a different setting can help refresh your mind and provide a little boost to your mental health. We can become stagnant if we are in the same place for too long and, especially as we often work from home, a little bit of traveling can put some momentum into your life.
Becoming too comfortable can become stagnant over time, so I believe traveling can provide mental refreshment. It doesn’t have to be much, but any little thing can help!”
Thanks to Greg Barnett, President of Brazil Counsel for sharing this.
2) A fine line between Helpful vs Unproductive
“Do I think that traveling can provide a refreshing perspective for people? Yes, of course. But I always think it can add to our stress levels and make things difficulty to maintain over a long period of time.
I actually lived as a digital nomad for a long while and really enjoyed the experience. It can be great to see new things and get away, but if you are unable to focus and get work done, then it isn’t sustainable. Your work will begin to suffer and you could end up losing your job, losing clients, or even just getting very stressed out. For the right person, it won’t work out and could end up being a negative experience for them as they try to balance everything in their lives. In the end, it just won’t be worth the time, effort, money, and potential repercussions.
I advise people to really consider these things and to start small when they begin to do it. You don’t want to end up very far from home for an extended period of time with a ton of stresses hanging over your head.”
Thanks to Donny Gamble, Founder of Retirement Investments for sharing this.
3) Good for the right person; Bad for the wrong person
This tip comes directly from us and the personal experiences we’ve had with traveling while working as a form of mental refresher. We’ve done it and we know the benefits it can provide, but we also know how hectic and stress inducing it can be. Especially for the wrong person.
And the biggest thing we’ve found out is that some people can travel while working and still manage everything. Other people struggle to do it while staying on top of approaching deadlines, managing their health, and still being able to relax while doing it all. It adds another level of anxiety for many and they can’t get ahead with their work while also finding time to relax and enjoy the element of travel.
So, while we do recommend it, we also caution people from diving in too deep. Consider your personal strengths and weaknesses. Do you think you’d prosper in these situations, or are you quick to have feelings of anxiety?
If you do want to try it out, start small and be modest in your planning. There’s no sense in making the first experience a negative one, or you’ll never do it again. And do you want to completely shut down the idea of traveling for work?
