While having the right attitude and approach to life is a core part of being a successful workshifter, having the right technology helps, too.
Because we all know someone who wants to work smarter, I’ve assembled this list of gifts that I’ve personally used and know will help anyone get started on a life of working from wherever they choose to be. Even if you have a seasoned workshifter on your shopping list, I bet they’d love some of these gifts as well.
Happy holidays!
Anyone who spends time on the road should already be using TripIt to keep everything organized. It’s free, so you have no excuse not to. A pro account adds a ton of valuable features to make even the most frustrating times on the road a bit better.
Yes, there are other tablets on the market, but for me the current lineup of iPads is impossible to beat. With built-in cameras and microphones, you can host and attend online meetings directly from the device. While certainly not a must, my recommendation would be to get one with a cellular plan so that you don’t have to search for Wi-Fi when on the road.
Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover
I’ve tried numerous keyboard covers for my iPad and found that I never enjoyed typing on them. I do a lot of writing on the road, and it wasn’t until I took a recent trip to London with this new keyboard cover that I didn’t feel the need to take out my laptop.
This jacket is not just a lightweight and very warm piece of clothing. As with all Scottevest products, it includes more pockets and smart clothing technology than any other jacket out there does. The best part is that it’s heavy enough for those cold locations but light enough to handle a simple chill. While I haven’t gone bagless on a trip yet, this jacket has tempted me to give it a try.
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Not everything about workshifting involves cutting-edge technology. Sometimes you need an old-fashioned piece of paper and pen to get the job done. This is also one of those gifts that keep on giving, as every quarter a new shipment of limited edition notebooks will show up. How cool is that?
Reading is something we all need to do more of, and this version of the Kindle allows you to do it without any of the other distractions that a regular tablet allows. It is small, light and backlit – enabling you to read under the brightest sun or in the darkest room.
Have someone that loves to take photos and wants something better than their phone to do so with? This new camera eliminates the hassle of lugging around big equipment by being small enough to stash away in a jacket pocket but powerful enough to take amazing photos and videos.
It doesn’t matter if you are stuck at an airport or checking into a hotel room; there are never enough power outlets. This device has saved me more times than I can remember. It turns a single outlet into three – and it has two USB ports to charge up your phone or other devices at the same time.
Always be charging is the mantra of the workshifter. You never know when you are going to be without power and in need of a charge. Keeping one of these in your bag cuts the worry out of those moments. It’ll charge most phones and tablets in no time and get you back to working.
Have other gifts you think would be good to give a budding workshifter? List them in the comments so we can check them out, too.
