You are now free to move about the cabin. There’s no better time to explore than when you are jumping into the workforce as a young adult. It’s a time to put forth your best efforts and shine, even if you are not an expert in the field (which no one is when starting off). Same philosophy goes for traveling. Everyone starts somewhere—it’s up to you to get the most out of it and keep an open mind.
Take Advantage
Have you ever stepped off the plane in a new city and realized you know close to nothing about it? Most business travelers may relate to this scenario. If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent the days leading up to your business trip burning the midnight oil in the office, prepping for your meetings or events and will be lucky if you find any spare time to enjoy yourself. Work should always be the main priority on a business trip for obvious reasons, but if you’re given an opportunity to leave home base, I believe you should take full advantage.
Business Travel Tips
I’ve held on to a few guiding principles during my travels that set me up for success:
- Be Prepared. Everything starts with what’s in your bag. I like to run daily agendas through my head and think of all the items to pack for each day’s activities. Bringing everything you need keeps you from having to attain those things on your trip and losing valuable time.
- Be comfortable. Within reason of course. I’m a firm believer that in order to look good, you have to feel good. If you put yourself in jeans that are a little too tight or shoes that rub the wrong way, it’s going to induce stress, therefore eroding your full potential. Take the time to find pieces that look put together, but don’t compromise your comfort.
- Be confident. If you want to make the most of your trip, you have to be willing to leave everything you know behind. Starting conversations, meeting new people or even trying out a restaurant by yourself will create the environment you need for success and some great adventures. The ability to take risks and make friends will take you far in life.
Summing it all up; when it comes to travel, you reap what you sow. If you plan ahead, pack what you need and come prepared with all your work, not only will you have a successful business trip, but you will likely get to enjoy time to yourself and see what the city you’re in has to offer. To read more on packing for your trip, be sure to check out What I Pack for a Business Trip.
