How To Work Remotely From Anywhere

We can work anywhere we go, which is a blessing and a curse. If you’ve ever had to work late while on the road, you’ve experienced those moments of panic when a deadline is looming but Wi-Fi is weak (or nonexistent) and your laptop battery is dying, with no power outlets in sight. There are ways to prepare for these scenarios, though, and remain a productive professional wherever you go. Whether you’re dealing with electronic devices on planes or looking to stay powered up on the road, we share how to work remotely no matter what your circumstances.

You can use your smartphone to get work done when you travel, but even if your data plan can handle it, you're still draining your phone’s battery. On top of that, what if you take a call and need to consult something online at the same time? Depending on the quality of your speakerphone and where you’re calling from (let’s be real, airports are not great soundtracks to a conference call), that can be tricky. The solution here is simple: Get a mobile hotspot from your cell phone provider. Most even allow you to connect multiple devices at once. This keeps your phone from having to do too much, lets the battery stay powered longer and means Wi-Fi for everyone!

Don't get left in the lurch just because there are no power outlets nearby (or, even more irritatingly, if there are power outlets, but they're all in use). Of course, keeping a spare laptop battery in your bag is always an option, but who needs the extra baggage? Instead, plug into ChargeTech's Portable Power Outlet, a rechargeable power block with AC and USB outlets that can turn anywhere—and we do mean anywhere—into your office-on-the-go. Other power options include a solar-powered phone charger or a car charger.

Another challenge of working on the go is noise. It can take much longer to compose an important email or draft a document in a crowded terminal, lobby or coffee shop than in your office. You may want to invest in noise-canceling headphones, or at least some that are more effective than basic earbuds. Put on familiar music or white noise (as both have the same overall effect) and get your work done quicker, and without giving yourself a headache.

Download a few essential productivity apps before hitting the road. For signing essential documents, there’s DocuSign. For finding a safe Wi-Fi network, there is Avast Wi-Fi Finder, which allows you to find nearby networks on its map and compare the speed and security. Evernote helps keep notes organized and prioritized, while CircleBack helps keep relevant professional contacts in order and accessible—and as a bonus, it can scan business cards.

Remember paper notebooks? Don’t underestimate the value of these low-tech tools. Some of them can even fit in your pocket. Like any professional on the road, you're likely to have brilliant ideas at the most inopportune times, like when you're desperately milking the last 4 percent of your phone's battery. Don't risk forgetting whatever brilliant insight you've had. Scribble yourself a reminder on a little pocket notebook—and if it makes you feel better, type it up digitally later, when you’ve got time (and power) to spare.

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