I recently heard the term "workcation" and right away knew what it meant. It isn't that vacation you take where you end up working, but an actual vacation where you plan for the fact that you will also be working--or in some cases a work trip you are taking that you turn into a part vacation.

My upcoming column is going to be about other women who have taken workcations, and the benefits and challenges of such arrangements.

I asked one of them--Jennifer K. Woofter of Strategic Sustainability Consulting--to give me her best tips for making a workcation work for you. Here's what she had to say.

"In the planning stages of a workcation, the first thing I do is check out my internet options. The holy grail is free high-speed wireless internet at my hotel, with a variety of internet hot spots nearby just in case," says Woofter. 

Woofter explains that for her, wifi is important so she isn't tethered by an ethernet connection. Beware of the dial-up connection, she urges, or if that is the only option, plan your week as if you don't have an internet connection at all.

Woofter has her "standard workcation tech list" including:

1. Laptop with extra battery and power cord.
2. Power adaptor, especially when traveling overseas.
3. Flash drive, blank CDs or DVDs
4. USB Headset
5. Skype account (to avoid international phone calls)
6. Mobile device charger and power adaptor

Woofter sets a specific out-of-office e-mail with instructions for the person trying to reach her.

Rather than bring paper files, Woofter uses a remote data-backup service such as Dropbox, which automatically syncs your files across computers.

Says Woofter, "Anything I save on my work computer automatically updates to my laptop, giving me instant access to my files and saving me unnecessary printing. I just make sure to sync before my trip, so that I have the most up-to-date files before I leave."

Dropbox and similar services can also be used as emergency backup systems.

Some other tips from Woofter include:

• Bring all of your work equipment (computer, books, reports) in your carry-on--NEVER check it as baggage. There is nothing worse than arriving someplace and finding that your suitcase didn't make it. You can always go buy a toothbrush, but anxiety about a missing laptop will kill the joy of any vacation.

• Pack at least one "business travel" outfit--something that doesn't wrinkle and dries quickly. " I find that I can almost always schedule meetings with a relevant contact whereever I go--and it's always nice to look presentable when you meet for coffee." (These kind of meetings also provide a small tax write-off for your vacation, which is a no-brainer.)

Woofter also suggests that while you're planning your vacation, divide "work" and "play" into separate chunks of time.

"When I'm in Hawaii, I get up early and have my conference calls in my pajamas--since the time difference means that most people are well into their work day when I'm just getting started," Woofter explains. "When I'm in Europe, I set aside a couple of hours after dinner for calls and meetings. In most cases, you can segment your time so that you can have most of the 'normal day' free for actual vacation."
With a little extra planning and the right equipment and setup, a workcation doesn't seem beyond the realm of possibility. Now to get my husband to buy into it!

How do you make workcations work for you?