If you’re unprepared, your desire to explore the world could clash with the demands of your job. Unfortunately, many people envision the thrill of exploring new destinations, but are held back by fear of job repercussions. How can you satisfy that wanderlust while maintaining job security?

This is a delicate balance that I’ve navigated – I’ve found strategies that allow me to travel without jeopardizing my job. It’s entirely possible to maximize your travel opportunities, such as by planning early, opting for shorter but more frequent trips, and communicating strategically with your employer. 

Even if you’re not aiming to go travel-crazy with eight trips a year, I’ll still share some insights that you can adapt to fit your lifestyle and travel goals.

Here are seven smart hacks to help you progress towards your travel goals while being employed full-time.

Plan: Align Your Travel with Work Schedules

First things first, begin by aligning your trips with your work schedule. Look back on your past year to get a sense of the busy periods at your job. 

If you aren’t sure, the best times to travel are often mid-quarter or right after completing a major project. Mid-quarter tends to be a lull between major deadlines, while post-project periods offer a well-deserved break after a period of intense work.

These periods typically coincide with lighter workloads, making it easier to take a vacation worry-free.

Overall, having a clear view of your biannual or annual schedule allows you to plan early, which works to your advantage.

Note: While this article doesn’t dive into the specifics of when to plan and book trips, the key idea is to start early. Early travel planning reduces costs and enhances your flight and accommodation options, potentially allowing you to take more trips each year.

Make the Most of Long Weekends and Holidays

Another effective way to travel without taking extensive leave is by making the most of long weekends and public holidays. 

• First, consider weekend trips that extend into a Monday or Friday, maximizing your time away from the office. 
• Even better, look at your calendar for public holidays that fall near weekends to create longer breaks.

By taking just 1-3 extra vacation days around these holidays, you can create a five-day trip or even a week-long adventure without drawing attention to extended leaves.

Even a short trip can offer a refreshing change of scenery, allowing you to explore new places without the burden of suffering long absences from work.

Tip: If you’re traveling over the holidays, choose your destinations wisely. For instance, if both Manila and Ho Chi Minh City are on your list for a trip in May, check flight prices well in advance. If Manila turns out to be significantly cheaper that month, take advantage of the savings and book your flights early.

Travel Responsibly Within Company Guidelines

Before setting off on a trip, understand your company’s policies regarding leave and remote work. For instance, if you crave the flexibility of blending travel with work, would remote working from another country violate your company’s policies?

To avoid getting yourself in trouble, do your due diligence: Familiarize yourself with your company’s remote work policy and comply with any requirements or restrictions. Circumventing the rules may create unwanted hassle and jeopardize your job security. Ensure you have the necessary approvals. 

When it comes to accessing sensitive or confidential data overseas, do not forget the importance of corporate VPN and following data security protocols while working remotely.

This article was originally published on unboundist.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.

Keep Your Boss in the Loop with Strategic Communication

Here’s what you may fear: letting your boss in on your travel plans. While some managers may scrutinize an employee’s unavailability, there’s no way to avoid a conversation – unless your boss is on extended leave.

Here’s the gist, you should find a way to communicate the following:

• Discuss Flexibility: If you’re planning to work remotely while traveling, explain how you’ll handle your responsibilities and remain reachable during work hours. Show your boss you’re committed to maintaining productivity while traveling. 
• Demonstrate Value: Consistently meet deadlines and perform well in your role. By establishing a solid track record, you can give others confidence that you’ll either complete your work before your trip or maintain high performance while traveling.

Create a Portable Workspace for Your Travels

Don’t neglect your portable office if you plan to stay work-functional while traveling. Invest in software, tech, and portable tools that enable you to work from anywhere.

There’s too much to go in-depth here, from selecting the right laptop for business travel to choosing the right bag and packing it efficiently. You’ll also need the following:

• Stable internet connection: Ensure you have a reliable internet connection by researching Wi-Fi availability and considering a mobile hotspot or local SIM card.
• Portable equipment: Consider laptop accessories and ergonomic tools, such as a laptop stand, compact keyboard, and noise-canceling headphones.
• VPN: Select and set up a VPN to ensure secure connections and access geo-restricted content.

Consider your portable setup at least weeks before your trip – you do not want to arrive at your destination and waste precious time organizing your work tools. Besides, arranging the necessary logistics may require a lot of proper research and planning, so give yourself ample time to prepare.

Consider a Job That Supports Frequent Travel

If your current job makes it challenging to travel, consider looking for opportunities that support a travel-friendly lifestyle. If such a lifestyle is truly important to you, make a plan to either set up your own business or eventually switch to a role with greater flexibility for adventure.

Switch jobs. For instance, if you have a full-time office job, at least switch to a hybrid role which isn’t difficult to find. Many companies today are embrace remote work, and some even encourage travel as part of their culture. Aim for positions with generous vacation policies, ideally offering 20 or more days of annual leave. 

By seeking out roles that prioritize work-life balance, you can travel more freely without risking your career or job security.

Boost Your Finances to Enable More Travel

Lastly, boost your finances.

To afford longer or more frequent trips, consider boosting your income via these viable options:

• Freelancing
• Taking a part-time job
• Starting a side business that can scale into a full-time income

While it may sound daunting to begin, diversifying your income allows you to reduce your reliance on your current job over time – reducing stress while adding flexibility and freedom to your lifestyle.

In addition, if you can cut down on daily expenses, focus on saving money to fund your travels. Small changes can lead to significant savings – here are some examples: 

• Ruthlessly driving down food expenses
• Ditching your car for public transport
• Eliminating e-hailing fares

Doing the right combination of things might save you hundreds each month. Those savings could potentially finance a short getaway to a nearby destination.

Note: To save more money and be financially savvy about your travels, make sure to set up a travel budget and seek out cheaper flights – learning the tricks of advanced flight planning can be very helpful.