How to Stay Productive While Traveling Full-time: 10 Tips From a Digital Nomad

1. Learn how to choose consciously

There will always be a good day for an adventure. You’ll be surrounded by temptations, but to do well long-term, learning how to say no is key.

It’s worth skipping an average happening, and even things that get you excited at times, to prioritize your career. You’re on your way to the top, after all. By saying no, you’ll have more time for those things that you really want to do.

2. Use that extra time on the go

You’ll often be on your way somewhere and find yourself with a few minutes of downtime in between destinations and activities. Use that time.

I often finish tasks before the food arrives at restaurants. Commute time is great for writing and listening to inspirational podcasts, and you easily can check emails while you’re waiting in line.

I also always carry a notebook with me, which I fill with ideas, notes ahead of meetings, outlines for new content, and just random thoughts. This is extra useful when you feel like taking a break from your laptop.

3. Combine work with sightseeing

Photo credit: Jon Fu on Unsplash

Context switching helps me to stay more productive. It’s also a great way to explore a place while you’re working. Bring your laptop and visit a neighboring town, head to a beach café, or just another part of the city you’re based in.

I’ve worked in deserts, mountains, boats, vineyards, lodges, beaches, and hundreds of cafés and restaurants. Replace that five-minute coffee break with a dip in the ocean. I promise that you’ll feel even more refreshed.

If you prefer to work from home or in a more closed environment, you can divide your time into bigger blocks of free time and work instead.

4. Get work done while you’re most productive

Use the luxury of being able to work at any time to your benefit by experimenting and learning at what time you’re most productive. Let this determine how you distribute your work throughout the day. When you’re supposed to work, work.

There are many hacks out there on how to stay focused. Just reminding yourself to get out of your own way can help. These quotes will give you a push in the right direction to commit and get things done. 

5. Use tools that help you excel

I use apps to organize everything and to make sure that I focus my time on the right tasks. My most important criteria for productivity tools are that they should be accessible from anywhere, be available across devices, and save you time.

These are a few of my favorites (all of them offer free versions):

• Asana: Project management, lists, and life management (seriously, I don’t remember how I managed before!)
• Google Suites: Storage, work on the go, share work with others
• Hootsuite: Social media management
• Google Meet: Video meetings & calls
• Canva: Professional designs (Make you feel like a designer even if you’re not. Sorry to offend you who are real designers 😅)
• Meeting Planner: Schedule meetings across time zones
• Lastpass: Save all your passwords in one place

6. Schedule enough time in each place

Reduce unnecessary stress by scheduling enough time at each destination based on your workload, need for rest, and sightseeing wishlist. In this way, you’ll be able to focus on work and take that island trip you’re so excited about, without feeling bad about it. It’s also okay to not do everything at every place every time.

I prefer to travel without dates and usually decide how long I’ll stay once I’m onsite. Even if I arrive with a rough plan, it always changes.

7. Let new friends know about your work

Talk to friends about your work, so they understand that you won’t be hanging around like a typical tourist. Most of my local friends work and understand that I need to do the same. It’s nothing wrong with being surrounded by people who are on holiday, either. You might receive extra questions about why you’re not going out everyday, but in the end, it’s all about your discipline.

8. Find out what else gives you energy

You usually perform better at work when you feel good about other areas in life.

You don’t need to have fixed routines if you’re not that kind of person (I’m not), but it helps to figure out what else you need in life to stay productive. Set flexible goals based on these insights, such as “I’ll work out 3 times a week.” These can then be achieved in different ways, even if you’re traveling.

For me, a comfortable place where I can work efficiently is important. I also make sure to schedule enough time for things that make me happy, such as training, good food, dancing, exploring, and meeting new people.

9. Evaluate and improve

Evaluate your productivity at the end of each day or week. Ask yourself questions such as; What worked? What didn’t? Did I finish everything I wanted to? If not, were my expectations too high? What can I improve? How did I feel?

Keeping a journal makes this easier. My favorite journal app works excellently as a personal journal, too.

Don’t expect yourself to be perfect. It’s easy to feel as if one should be productive all the time. This can be stressful, which leads us to the last point…

10. Take time off

While it’s amazing to always be based in different, beautiful places, it’s as important to take proper breaks from work to stay productive.

When you’re an entrepreneur, you usually have your own projects to think about, once you’re finished with your clients. Work will never end naturally, so it’s up to you to set the limits. It’s so easy to get trapped in some kind of in-between-work-and-vacation mode when you’re traveling full-time.

I’ve become better at this. In addition to taking full days and “time blocks” off, where I’m trying to avoid everything work-related, I go for at least one trip where I disconnect completely every year. It helps me to reflect, and the feeling after is amazing.

Staying productive while traveling is
about creating a lifestyle that works long-term

In the end, staying productive while you’re traveling full-time is all about finding a lifestyle that works for you long-term.

I love my relatively fast-paced life, but it’s not for everyone. Being a traveling digital nomad requires discipline, planning, energy, and a lot of drive. All of us are different, and the point is to get to know what works for you and use those insights to your benefit.

Think about your ideal lifestyle. Set your tempo based on that, and make sure to include enough time for both work and other things that make you happy.

What tips do you have for staying productive while traveling?