When it comes to work and play, we prefer to have the best of both worlds. That said… sometimes it takes sacrifice to make it work! We’re the first to volunteer to jet off to an exciting destination, but of course work must be done, and a vacay is always more satisfying when you know you’ve tackled that long to-do list before you reach your destination. Whether you’re hopping on a flight for business or just to get away, it’s always useful to have some tips to prepare you for a productive workday—even when you’re 30,000 feet in the air. We’ve rounded up a few of our top tips from experience, so keep scrolling to read them all, and don’t forget to bookmark them for the next time you’ve got to get through that to-do list on the go…
1. Survey Your Plane Beforehand
Whenever possible, make sure to find all the details you can about the amenities your particular flight will offer. Luxuries like WiFi, seat outlets, and USB ports are becoming more and more common across airlines, but there are still plenty of planes that don’t offer these amenities. Doing your research beforehand will give you peace of mind that you’ll actually have the tools needed to get your work done in-flight, and help you prepare a backup plan accordingly if you have no option but to choose a flight without those amenities. Bottom line? No one likes surprises when it comes to getting work done in a limited time frame, en route to another destination. So do yourself a favor and study up!
2. Make Sure to Stock Your Carry-On
Whether the airline you’re on offers all the in-flight features in the world or none at all, you’ll want to make sure you have a well stocked carry-on if you have your sights set on having a productive workday. Treat your traveling workday like you’re packing for the office—then take it one step further. If you normally take your laptop, charger, and a notebook to the office, then pack all of those things in your carry-on plus anything else you think might be especially useful in the air. (Think earbuds for tuning out noise, a portable charger, and a comfy travel pillow to make your in-flight work space more accommodating.) A forgotten charger, tablet, or important notepad can send your productivity into a downward spiral. So when it comes to packing for your workday in the air, remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry!
3. Schedule Your Travel Wisely
Of course, sometimes you have to book a flight last minute, or jet off for a business meeting that is set in stone on your calendar, but if your travel dates are at all flexible, take advantage of it! Try to book your flight time for days of the month when you know your to-do list won’t be too overwhelming. Even better? Scheduling your time in the air for hours when you know you’ll be most productive naturally. If you’re an early-riser, then schedule an A.M. flight to get the most out of those early hours of the workday. On the other hand, if you’re a night owl, then book a late night flight or even a red-eye, so you can get in the zone to work while everyone around you powers down for some shuteye.
4. Know Your Strengths (and Weaknesses)
When prepping for a traveling workday, don’t shy away from being honest with yourself. If you’re the type that flourishes in your work when you’re confined to sitting still for extended periods of time, then it may actually benefit you to save some of your more time-intensive work for those hours on your flight, when you’ll be locked down in your seat with no distractions. On the other hand, if you’re the type that quickly gets antsy and unsettled when you have to focus on one task for several hours, then reserve your flight for that list of menial tasks that require less focus. In the end, prioritizing your to-do list with your strengths and weaknesses—and an in-flight environment—in mind will make it that much more likely that you’ll be productive.
5. Don’t Depend on “Guaranteed” Amenities
No matter how much planning you do and how much attention to detail you have when booking your trip, when it comes to travel, unexpected changes are bound to happen from time to time. Or in other words, don’t depend on in-flight WiFi, outlets, and USB ports without having a backup plan. There’s always the chance that your plane has to be switched by the airline at the last minute, or the WiFi is simply too slow to work, or any number of other unforeseen challenges. That being said, always have a plan B! Download any documents, photos, folders and the like to your computer desktop before you head to the airport, so you have all your materials just a click away when you’re in-flight—even without WiFi.
If you’re on a long flight and there’s no way to charge your device, make sure you bring a portable option that you’ve charged before your flight. This will give you peace of mind that even if that battery percentage starts dipping, you’ll have a way to keep your work going until you reach your destination. If not, you might just have to go…
What tips would you add to this list to have a productive workday on-the-go?
All in all, mastering your work methods when traveling takes trial and error to find what works best for you. We hope these tips are useful to get you started off on the right foot, and help you have the most productive in-flight workday yet.
Xx Team GM