Planes, trains and automobiles.
With a recent move back to the east coast, I’ll be traveling back and forth to Phoenix. Each quarter the valley of the sun will welcome me back along with my clients and colleagues. In preparation, I asked a few colleagues of mine who travel for work their traveling pro tips. Here are tips from road warriors themselves on business travel.
I always make sure that I’m available to my family when I’m traveling 7am to 7pm no matter where I am. No matter if I’m with a client, I always try to answer and talk. It helps to stay close and positive when there is great distance between dad and family. It truly helps us deal with the constant travel needed for my job.
Randy Tavares
Regional Sales Director
Alpha Technologies
Keep a toiletry bag stocked with things like over the counter meds, razor, sewing kit, tweezers, nail file, etc. Buy duplicates so you can keep it packed. Liquids go in a different bag.
Michelle Faust
Marketing Strategist
Rhino Online Strategies
I have several Ziploc bags in my suitcase. Guaranteed there will be a spill on something that I want to contain until I can properly clean it. If not a spill, an important document that needs to stay pristine. Electronics that need an extra layer of protection in my bag. Sometimes just a receptacle of my trash on the go. Extra plastic bags always come in handy.
Margo Crawford
Productivity Coach
Wave Productivity
To battle dehydration due to many hours in the air, I carry a refreshing hydration mist to spray onto my face during the flight- I prefer the one from Kiehl’s which comes in a travel size as well.
Katja Lehmann
Global Health Care Consultant
BD
When I travel, and run out of an item in my toiletry bag, I write a little note on one of those pieces of paper in hotel rooms so I will see it the next time I pack. That way I don’t have to take inventory, I can just check my note to see what needs to be replenished.
Alicia Rampulla, PhD
Senior Program Specialist and Regional Farm to Preschool Lead, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA)
If you travel once a month or more — get TSA pre-check. Keep your shoes on and your fluids in your bag. It’s so worth it.
Personally, I eliminate as many extra bags that hang off me as possible. No purse or extra things to carry. Just one carry on that is my clothes, carry on supplies and small purse/wallet. This leaves my hands free and having only one thing to keep track of.
Pack small supply bag with items you may need but likely forget to pack. Mine includes – nail file, tweezers, band aid, Advil or pain medicine, and essential oils. More on that next.
Essential oils. At minimum, a bottle of peppermint. Can be used to wake up, clear nausea/motion sickness or just relax. If you are traveling a lot, I recommend taking a small diffuser. For our trip around the world it was the first thing we unpacked when we got into a new space. Made it smell good and feel a bit like home.
Slippers. Nothing like ending a long day on your feet with some comfort and warmth.
iPad loaded with good music for the plane, latest update of the NY Times and some new downloads on Netflix.
Beth Stiner
Vice President
Strategic Development and Consulting at Innovative Connections, Inc.
As Beth mentioned above, she and her family spent a whole year on the road traveling throughout the world. An amazing trip for them. Lucky to have followed their journey on Facebook.
All of these people log many hours on a plane. They are all true road warriors! Add your business travel tip in the comment section below. Share your stories to make everyone’s trips successful ones.
Margo Crawford is a Productivity Coach and Professional Organizer with Wave Productivity. She works with entrepreneurs, small business owners and business professionals to help them get more focused, organized and productive in their workplace. She coaches by phone nationally and in person in Phoenix, Providence and Boston. If you want to get more organized in your office call 602-677-8275 or email [email protected].