Between 8AM meetings and 8PM cocktail hours, there isn’t much time for fun on most business trips. But, you shouldn’t let a perfectly good opportunity go to waste. Read on for a few pieces of practical advice on how to put the joy back into your journey.
Be a picky packer
You don’t have to pack your entire wardrobe to show off your fashion sense. Men should stick with one color of pants and solid shirts. A single matching jacket will ensure you look professional. Wear your heaviest pieces on the trip there and on the return flight so you can keep your luggage down to a minimum. Fast Company contributor David Lavenda suggests packing two equal-sized bags instead of one maxed-out carry-on. You can fit one under the seat and one in the overhead bin.
Will the web to work while you’re away
As a business professional, one of the worst things you can do is leave your job unattended while you call on other customers or congregate with corporate cohorts. Thankfully, access to modern technology means you can leverage digital tools to keep up business as usual even from 30,000 feet. Make sure your website is fully functional before you go with answers to your customers’ most commonly asked questions and contact information. You can also plan social media messages to post while you’re away. This will free you up to concentrate on your trip and keep you from being sidelined by issues on your arrival back to the office.
Consider a contractor
If your workday involves being consumed by an unending sea of phone calls and paperwork, consider outsourcing some of your more menial task to a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant, or VA, is an independent contractor – often a stay-at-home mom – who has professional experience and can handle the majority of your administrative projects. Aside from allowing you to concentrate on important matters, a VA can field phone calls and other correspondence and route only the most urgent directly to you until your return.
Stretch your stay
Talk to your boss about adding an extra day on either side of the trip so that you can get yourself rested and prepared. You’ll be less stressed if you have a day to become acclimated to your surroundings (and check out the local tourist traps) before jumping headfirst into business. Set aside at least one afternoon to explore the local area. If you’re visiting an exotic location you might not forgive yourself if you made it all the way there without seeing the sights. Long-time at Men’s Health writer and editor Denny Watkins suggests staying at a small hotel, which will be more enjoyable and garner you more personalized service. He cautions, however, that branded accommodations may be a wiser choice in less-than-hospitable cities. Check out the LEXIS-NEXIS Community Crime Map before you go if you are unfamiliar with the city in which you are staying.
Reorganize your routine
In the days before heading out, develop an eating and sleeping routine that more closely mimics your upcoming schedule. You will benefit greatly, especially if you’re traveling abroad, by convincing your circadian rhythm to cooperate. If you’re going on an international flight, try to schedule it for nighttime, according to your destination’s time zone. Find a window seat, grab some earplugs and a light-blocking mask, and get your first night’s sleep en route. Even if it isn’t as restful as it could be, it’s best to start your trip while the sun is out.