To stay productive on a business trip there are many things you can do to be sure you don’t fall behind on your everyday tasks and at the same time get the most out of your trip. Finding the right balance is key, and effective work requires good planning. With the right tips, you can work effectively on the road while taking care of your health and well-being. Keep reading for the most important tips and tricks for staying productive while on the road.
Tips for staying productive while away for business
Road warrior tips and tricks for being productive: plan ahead
For good, efficient business travel, it’s very important that you plan ahead. Just like when planning leisure holidays, you have to take a lot of things into account. For business trips, this is even more important, as problems during the trip can have a negative impact on your (and the company’s) success.
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To make planning easier, you can create a travel plan and set out a to-do list to make sure all the right preparations are made ahead of time. This gives you a detailed overview of your trip’s schedule, including times, addresses and contact details, which you can access at any time.
Make sure to create an overview of achievable goals so that you can measure the success of your trip and ensure it fulfills its purpose. Those goals could be quantifiable such as how many new contacts you made or how many deals you close, or they could be qualifiable, such as understanding the degree of customer satisfaction.
Pack smart
When traveling on business, it’s especially important to pack smart and light. Especially if you fly a lot and don’t want to check a bag every time. With a good packing list, you can fit everything in your carry-on and get through airports faster.
When it comes to clothing, focus on the basics. Instead of filling your suitcase with 4 pairs of pants and 6 pairs of shirts, opt for a few basics that you can easily swap out and mix and match. Stick to black, dark blue, gray and neutral tones as they can easily be jazzed up with accessories.
Even little tricks can save you a lot of time and space when packing. Keep extra toiletries, chargers, office supplies and business cards on hand so you can easily take them with you and pack them in your bag every time you travel. This way, you won’t have to go through the hassle of gathering everything together.
Don’t hesitate to equip yourself with quality travel accessories. From headphones to eye masks to passport covers, there are plenty of things to ensure you have a relaxing trip and a peaceful night.
Stay connected
You need to stay in touch with your colleagues back in the office and with your customers. However, communication and accessibility are very important so that things don’t get behind while you’re away.
It makes sense to use tools like Slack or Asana for collaboration so that everyone knows exactly what needs to be done. You should also hold regular virtual meetings with your colleagues to clarify outstanding issues and delegate tasks effectively. A stable Wi-Fi connection is of course key to keeping in touch regularly so make sure to book a hotel that has all the must-have features to stay productive.
Make the most of your travel time
Travel times on business trips are ideal for completing tasks and preparing for meetings, especially if your flight lasts several hours. For example, to tune out your surroundings, you can use noise-canceling headphones.
Since it is not always possible to ensure that you will have access to the Internet during your trip, we recommend that you download work materials to your laptop in advance. That way, you can work effectively and without distractions, even without Wi-Fi access.
Long flights or train journeys are perfect for reading. Use this time for your own learning and development.
Manage your time wisely
When you’re traveling for business, you need to use the time you have wisely. There are always only certain time windows in which you can work undisturbed. For example, on the plane, train or in the hotel. Therefore, you need to prioritize your tasks and set realistic deadlines.
Multitasking is not necessarily conducive to effective work. Consciously set aside time for the tasks that are at the top of your list and make sure you have undisturbed work windows where they can be completed.
Take care of yourself
Business travel can be very stressful. That’s why it’s important to take care of your own well-being and health. Make sure you have a comfortable pillow, headphones, an eye mask, a nice playlist or whatever you need so you can sleep well in the hotel or on the plane and start the day rested.
Book a hotel with a gym or pool so you can stay active. Or pick a location where there’s a park nearby so you can go for a jog. Eating healthy also contributes significantly to your well-being. When traveling on business, it’s a good idea to pack healthy snacks, such as nuts or fresh fruit, to keep you going.
How do you have enough energy to stay productive?
When traveling for business, it’s important to get enough sleep, eat healthy, and get some rest so you can start the day fresh and get through your meetings. Plan your schedule so that you have some time for yourself in between and also in the evening to recover from a stressful trip or business meetings. Or why not factor in some time for bleisure?
Conclusion
As we read in this article, business travel is all about good planning to be able to work productively on the road. Bring things that will allow you to sleep well wherever you go. Eat healthy to provide your body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs, and book hotels that have a gym so you can get some exercise if needed.
When booking hotels and flights, use a travel platform, such as GetGoing. This way, you can search according to the criteria that are important to you and make sure that you have all the amenities on the road that will help you get through the day with plenty of energy and vigor.
Want to learn more about how GetGoing can help you be more productive on the road or need more road warrior tips and tricks? Contact us.