We are no longer tied to the office when it’s time to get to work. Many people work from home, which is a great option, but it isn’t your only option. Whether you’re away at a conference, you’re on vacation, or you’re trying to squeeze in time to work in between running errands throughout the day, you can work nearly anywhere at any time.
However, how you work on the go determines how successful you will be. If you want to experience less stress and more productivity, follow these tips:
- Make sure you can do it securely
- Plan ahead for charging challenges
- Pay attention to how you’re accessing the internet
- Know what you can work on without internet access
- Focus on crucial tasks
- Plan blocks of time to work
- Let others know you’re working on the go
Make Sure You Can Do It Securely
Making sure you’re working securely can be a huge challenge, but it’s extremely important. That’s especially the case if you’re working on the go. Chances are, you’re not only working with sensitive work information, you may be paying bills and making purchases in between the work you do. That means your information is just as at risk.
Install and regularly update antivirus software on your computer. Don’t be afraid to talk to your company regarding your concerns about potential security vulnerabilities, and educate yourself on security best practices, like choosing passwords that are actually hard to guess.
Pay Attention to How You’re Accessing the Internet
Another security-related matter you should consider when you’re working on the go is how you’re accessing the internet. Although public Wi-Fi has come a long way, it can still be dangerous. Public Wi-Fi tends to be the least protected, which makes it easier for hackers to gain access to your system.
There are a few things you can do to make sure the way you’re accessing the internet is safe:
- Opt for municipal hotspots over commercial hotspots
- Always encrypt your data, or only use sites and platforms that use encrypted data
- Use your own secure hotspot
Know What You Can Work on Without Internet Access
Most places have internet access, but that doesn’t mean it’s always going to work the way you need it to. If you’re in a moving vehicle, you may discover that the internet goes in and out, while a power outage can compromise your internet connection for hours or even days.
Chances are, there are things you can work on that don’t require internet access. Plan ahead and save some information on your computer so you can work on it without the internet. Once the internet is back on, or once you’re done with the project, you can upload it.
Just make sure you double check with your employer first. There may be certain kinds of information they don’t want you to save in an unsecured way on your computer, or they may request that you save the information to an external hard drive.
Plan Ahead For Charging Challenges
One of the things that makes it easier than ever to work on the go is the fact that we aren’t tethered to the wall by cords. The trouble is, all those devices rely on batteries that can die. If you’re out and about for a long period of time, you have to think about how you’re going to charge your devices.
Make sure you bring your charging cable so you can plug your computer in whenever you have the opportunity. If your device has a battery that can easily be removed, consider bringing a backup battery.
There are also ways you can charge your devices without a charger:
- Public USB port
- Solar powered chargers
- Car chargers
- Hand-crank chargers
Focus on Crucial Tasks
Working on the go gives you the flexibility to work when you otherwise may not have been able to, but it comes with its own challenges. There are many distractions demanding your attention, whether you’re working in the back of a taxi cab or on the beach during a family vacation. If you spend more time than you should doing things like checking your email, you may discover you have run out of time to do what’s really important before the end of the day.
Before you start working for the day, make a list of the vital tasks you want to spend your time on. That way you don’t get pulled away from your work without having completed what you set out to do.
Plan Blocks of Time to Work
You have a little less control over your workday when you work on the go, which is why it’s so important to plan blocks of time to work.
Instead of seeing what the day brings and getting stuck trying to do work in a taxi cab, plan 50 to 90 minute blocks of time where you sit down at a coffee shop or at a table next to the lake to work. You may get interrupted, but at least you aren’t procrastinating.
Let Others Know You’re Working on the Go
Expectations are important in the workplace. Because working on the go can be challenging, and you’re likely to get a little less done than you normally would, it’s important to let your team know.
Let them know what you plan to work on and when you hope to have it done by, but make it clear that it depends on how the day goes. It also gives you the chance to talk about whether you will be available by phone or how often you plan to check your email. That way, team members aren’t concerned if they don’t hear back from you right away.
Getting work done can be challenging during the best of times, but it can be especially challenging when you’re on the go. Plan ahead with the tips on this list and you just might get your work done as if you were in the office!