I’ve spent the last few months traveling around the U.S. to meet up with family, friends, H+C coworkers and clients. Here are a few travel productivity tips I’ve gathered along the way to make the most of your digital nomad (or remote office) while learning and growing in your career.
Must-Have Gear for Remote Work
+ Invest in a portable monitor: Two screens are essential for me! A portable monitor helps me be efficient from anywhere, especially since my MacBook Air is tiny. I don’t mind carrying my USBC cables with me, so don’t think investing in a Bluetooth monitor is essential. I also bring a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse and mouse pad everywhere for optimal ergonomics!
+ Nail down your coffee routine: I love checking out new coffee spots, but nothing beats having delicious coffee at home so you don’t have to interrupt your flow (and spend more money!) I travel with a lightweight coffee grinder, Aeropress, and coffee beans to have coffee whenever and wherever I want.
Stay Organized on the Road
+ Keep essential details in one place: I use the free version of TripIt to keep track of flights, hotels and other reservations. It is smart enough to know time zones and even flagged a night for which I didn’t have a hotel booked. I also believe you can’t have too many pouches to keep track of things. I have a pouch for my cords and mouse, a pouch for my AirPods, and a pouch that holds those two pouches.
+ Be clear about your hours: Before I started working at H+C, I negotiated my timezone with my manager. Because of this, I work East Coast hours wherever I am. I keep my computer clock settings on East Coast hours, so I’m not reminded that it’s 6 a.m. when I start my day in California! This makes it easy on my coworkers (and clients!) so they don’t need to remember my time zone. I ensure my calendar reflects this so I don’t have regular calls outside my work hours. A bonus perk is that when I’m on the West Coast, I end work earlier in the day and can get outside or explore the city I’m in. Melatonin supplements help me adjust to the time zone wherever I am (and go to bed early for 5 a.m. wake-ups).
Think Like a Professional
+ Look sharp: I bring multiple professional outfits with me wherever I am (and locate the nearest mall for emergencies). Most hotels have irons, but I always pack items that don’t wrinkle. Compression packing cubes help me stay organized and fit everything I need. I also use a Zoom background to avoid distractions in new spaces (and showcasing weird hotel art).
+ Prepare for obstacles: Is the hotel Wi-Fi down? Make sure your phone plan allows you to use a hotspot (and carry a portable charger since this drains your battery). Are the WeWork phone booths all taken? Noise-cancelling headphones will save the day.
