When you are travelling on business, there are many distractions and potential sources of stress that can prevent you from achieving your objectives. Keeping organized and focused while on business trips, says April-Lynn Levitt, a coach with the Personal Coach in Calgary, can make your meetings more productive and the overall experience less stressful.
Whether you’re meeting with clients out of town or are travelling across the country for a conference, these tips will help you get the most from your travels:
> Plan your time
Time management is just as important on the road as it is when you are in the office.
Make sure you plan out your day the night before, says Levitt. Have a written list of your goals and objectives that you can review on a regular basis.
> Create a mobile office
If you are on a road trip, keep everything you need for a meeting in your car.
Says Levitt: “[Many] forms are available online now, but if there are supplies or certain hand-outs and materials you need to have, have your assistant pack that up in a plastic file box that you always have ready to go in your car.”
As well, use hands-free dictation applications on a smartphone or tablet, she says, to create follow-up notes on meetings while travelling after the meeting.
> Don’t overbook
Leave some room in your schedule to get ready for the next meeting or to catch up.
“Don’t over-schedule yourself,” Levitt says. “Block time for following up, making phone calls or to prepare for the meetings the next day.”
> Leave the driving to someone else
Leave your car behind to get some extra work done.
Instead of driving, consider taking the bus or train and using the travel time to get some work done, says Levitt. Or, if you fly, pull out your laptop instead of zoning out while watching an in-flight movie.
Whether you are travelling by bus, plane or train, make sure your technology is ready for the trip, Levitt says. For example, check the battery of your laptop to make sure it can work for an hour or two without a power source.
> Take personal time
Looking after yourself while on the road will make a big difference in how you feel when travelling.
Even though it’s a business trip, it’s important to take care of yourself, Levitt says. Try to keep your regular fitness schedule by using the hotel fitness centre or going for a jog or a swim. Be sure to eat properly and get enough sleep.