Traveling across the country to multiple big name cities is a new norm in the business world. Use these 11 business travel tips to make your endeavors worth the while.
Business travel can be exhausting. Depending on how often you travel, it could require you to be out of the office for extended periods of time.
This means, while you are away, the rest of your work is piling up for you, you will surely miss the latest water cooler gossip, and your personal routine is being disrupted.
All of this can throw off your entire sense of being, leaving you feeling exhausted and even bitter.
Business Travel Tips to Keep You Sane
Thankfully there are some things you can do to continue feeling like yourself during your business travel. And, it doesn’t matter how much of it you have to do.
Follow these 11 business travel tips and discover how sane you can remain while away.
1. Remain Positive
First and foremost, positivity can take anything negative and turn it around.
If you go on your business trip with an attitude of disgust, you will likely have a terrible trip. However, if you choose to look on the bright side, it may turn out to be a rather pleasant business trip.
2. Buy Duplicates of Necessities
When you are constantly on the go for work, you will find yourself having to always pack things such as toiletries, phone and laptop chargers, and other necessities. Doing so will eventually have you at your destination and without something.
Avoid this scenario by having a travel set of everything you need. Buy an additional laptop charger, phone charger, USB wall port, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and so forth. Leave these items packed away in a travel bag so that they are always ready to go – and you will never forget them.
3. Fly a Private Charter
There is something to be said for flying in a private charter jet.
Not only do you get personal treatment and the ability to beat the traffic and security lines that come with commercial airliners, but you also have a jet that provides you with personal space.
You can use your flight time to get work done in a confidential setting. Or, you can lay down and take a nap so that you are fresh and ready to work upon arrival. Of course, you can also kick back and watch a movie, too.
The idea is that a private jet offers you many more amenities that you will not get on a commercial airliner. If you are going to travel frequently, you may want to consider this option – for your sanity.
4. Keep Your Fitness Routine
Just because you travel often doesn’t mean you can’t keep a fitness routine. In fact, it is more reason why you should have one.
It will keep you feeling healthy and the routine-aspect will have you feel more in sync with yourself. Keep it simple – go for a walk or run, use the hotel gym, or do a workout video on your laptop.
5. Eat Well
Eating is important, but not as important as what you eat. And that doesn’t stop when you are away from home.
If you travel often, incorporate your healthy eating habits into your trip. Pack power snacks that you can eat when hungry while traveling. And, avoid indulging in junk food while at your destination. Be conscientious of what you eat, and your jet-lagged body will thank you.
6. Unpack Your Bags
When you arrive at your destination, unpack. Living out of a suitcase can make it feel more like you are away from home.
Putting your luggage out of sight is a simple mind trick that can provide you a much better business travel experience.
7. Bring Your Hobby
Having a portable hobby that you can bring with you can make you feel a bit more at ease. Whether it is something such as sketching or Sudoku or playing tennis or racquetball.
These are things that you can bring with you and enjoy during your downtime.
8. Limit Your Plans
Occasionally, your business travel will land you at destinations that are home to some of your college buddies or long-lost family members.
At first thought, you may impulsively send out text messages with, “Hey, I will be coming to your city next week! Let’s meet up!”
And then, while you are there, you realize that you have overbooked your personal meetings, leaving you exhausted and with no downtime. Limit your plans and try not to make personal plans until you arrive.
9. Stay at a Lifestyle Hotel or a Resort Spa
Lifestyle hotels offer you a bit of comfort and spa resorts smooth away your worries. There is nothing that says you can’t incorporate a little “me time” while on your business trip.
In fact, taking steps to cope with stress and fatigue could very well benefit you all the way around. Feel your best and be on your A-game while handling your business. It is a win-win.
10. Appreciate Your Destination
Learn to treat your destination as a discovery. You may find that your business travel takes you places you may have otherwise never thought to visit.
Keep a list of these places and, if possible, take some time to enjoy them a bit while you are there. Discover the culture, mingle with the locals, and see the sights.
11. Be Nice
It sounds like one of the simplest business travel tips, but it is perhaps the most important on the list. Traveling for business can get repetitive and tiring after a while. This may affect the way you behave and treat those around you.
You will find, however, that if you just be kind to those you encounter – the clerk in the hotel lobby, the flight attendant, the Uber driver – you may end up getting treated more kindly back.
And, you may even score some bonus perks or upgrades along the way – all for doing what you should do in the first place!
Conclusion
Not everyone has the opportunity to experience business travel. Therefore, embrace it – fly in a private jet charter, explore cities around the world, and be nice to those you meet.
Of course, you will want to also adopt these 11 business travel tips to keep yourself sane.