I’m in Belfast, Northern Ireland this week. It’s my third work-related trip since the start of the year, and I’m admittedly growing a bit weary of being on planes. When I was new in my career, the thought of travel seemed so exciting. Being able to get out of the office and spend time in another location appeared to be a sign of adventure and career development.
However, the reality of delayed flights trips to not-so-appealing locations and not sleeping in my own bed changed my perspective on this pretty quickly. I learned business travel - especially in the post 9/11 era - is typically anything but glamorous. It appears that many of us who log miles in support of our jobs feel similarly; vacation travel it is clearly not.
So as with anything, it is up to us to find the positive in the negative; to turn business travel into a relatively good experience. I’ve collected a few tips to help make it a bit more appealing to myself. Perhaps they work for you as well.
1. Enjoy being a little social. Whether it is with colleagues, customers, or just sitting down for a bite next to a stranger at a restaurant, think of this time as an opportunity to connect and network with new people. If you are traveling alone, there is no need to be lonely; a conversation is just a meal away.
2. Get out of the hotel. There is something interesting to be found in every location, you just have to go look for it. Commit to trying the local food, take a bit of time to explore and get a flavor for the area. If you have a jam-packed schedule, find the time to take a quick morning run or walk so you can see a few sites. No one wants to be trapped in a hotel room, and learning a little about a new place makes business travel far more interesting.
3. Find your airline. When possible, log miles on a favorite airline or two, and join their frequent flyer programs. Over time, that status can build up, giving you access to Wi-Fi, airport lounges, points to use towards fun trips, and more. Being able to head to the front of the boarding line is a huge benefit too. If you really want to rack up those points, get a credit card associated with the airline for your travels as well.
4. Get yourself cleared. Whether it’s TSA, Nexxus or Global Entry, there are a variety of different programs you can apply to that can save you some serious time waiting in lines to clear security. It takes a bit of time and a small financial investment to participate but being able to cruise through the security lines without having to get half-undressed and empty half my bag out has been a game changer.
5. Take care of yourself. Staying healthy can be challenging when you travel frequently. Whether you choose hand sanitizer or wipes, stay clean to avoid all the germs surrounding you on the plane. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated and feeling fresh. Dress in layers so you can control your body temperature. Finally, attempt to get in sync with the time-zone of your destination as quickly as possible (eat the meal associated with the time you are now in, go to bed as close to your regular time, etc.).
6. Set a goal for the trip. Finally, focus on why you are traveling in the first place. Maybe it’s to meet and close a new customer, expand your thinking by attending a conference, or even just meeting new team members. By consciously setting a goal for your overall trip and achieving it, you’ll return home feeling productive and accomplished.
Business travel is far from the exciting adventure I assumed it was when I first starting packing my suitcase. However, with a little planning and a “Let’s make the best of this” attitude, you can make the most of a routine trip… and maybe even enjoy it.
Christina Luconi is Chief People Officer for Rapid7. Follow her on Twitter: @peopleinnovator.