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Business travel sounds glamorous. You get to visit a far away place and put it on an expense account. But, ask anyone who travels for work and they will tell you it’s not as glamorous as it seems. Many business travelers feel lonely when they’re working on the road. However, business travel doesn’t have to be lonely or stressful. Here are a few things you can do to make your time away from home comfortable and fun.
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Don’t Work in Your Room
Working alone in your room can make you feel lonely and isolated. Instead, find other locations in your hotel where you might feel less isolated such as the guest business center, hotel lobby or even a nearby coffee shop. Working with a little activity and white noise around you may feel more like your normal work location.
Keep in Touch with People Back Home
Make quick calls to friends and family when you’re traveling. You can do this while in transit, as well as before or after your work day. Use texts or pictures to stay connected. Also, using Skype or FaceTime to see your loved ones’ faces can give you a big comfort boost.
Go Sightseeing
If you are traveling to a place you have not been to before, and especially if it is a “tourist destination”, find some time to enjoy what’s unique about the place you’re visiting. Many cities and regions have landmarks, local attractions, museums, shopping malls and parks to visit. Take pictures to share with your friends and family back home, and so you can remember some of the fun time from your business trip.
Bring Someone With You
Ask a companion to join you on your trip when you can. If you know people in the place you will travel to, meet up with those friends and family in the area. While you typically cannot include your companion’s expenses on your expense account, the time you share with others may be worth the cost.
Make the Most of Your Time Alone
Read a book, watch a movie, go to a local show or attend an event. Also, simply going to bed early will help you catch up on missed sleep or adjust to a time-zone change.
Create a Routine
The hardest part of a prolonged business trip is the disruption to your normal routine. While your work day may be hectic, try to keep to the same work start and end times. Make sure you plan your meals at about the same time each day, especially breakfast and dinner. Wake up and go to sleep at the same times each day. Schedule a block of non-work personal time. Having a routine while traveling on business will help minimize the disruption your trip may cause.
Even the most seasoned road warrior can find it challenging when traveling for business. With just a little preparation and planning, you can minimize any challenges you encounter and you might just have a little fun.
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David Schuchman
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