The past few months have been a crazy whirlwind of nonstop travel. From Las Vegas and Atlanta to Scottsdale and Chicago, I’ve been racking up miles and jet setting all over the country. While traveling can be exhausting, I count my blessings that I have a job that takes me to amazing cities nationwide and exposes me to new and exciting experiences. I was actually speaking to a friend of mine about this a few days ago. She travels a lot for work and sometimes even gets to fly via private jet. Apparently, sometimes she even manages to squeeze a few empty leg flights into her journey so that she can fly in luxury at an affordable price! That said, despite how much I wish it would, the world doesn’t revolve around me, and whether I’m at my desk in Florida or on a plane 20,000 feet up, traveling doesn’t negate the never-ending to do list that comes with working in PR. That said, I’ve learned to adjust accordingly when a crazy travel schedule strikes. While I’m no pro, over the past few months I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade on how to get sh*t done no matter where you are. The next time you have a few business trips scheduled back to back and start to panic on how you’re going to balance it all – don’t freak out. Bookmark this blog post and take advantage of my insight.
- Bring your desk onboard. It’s 2019, which means every flight you’re on is bound to have wifi, so a five hour flight is an opportunity to crank work out. It’s not as fun as kicking back and watching a movie, but you’ll be glad you did it once you land and are wishing you have five hours of free time back. Make sure your laptop is 100% juiced up before you board (unless you’re flying American Airlines, their planes are equipped with power outlets at every seat #clutch), and be prepared with a realistic to do list of assignments that you can handle from the air. Don’t try to tackle the most difficult thing on your list, there are too many distractions. But crossing off all the little things will leave you feeling a lot less anxious before your trip even really begins.
- Ask for help. I’m still a work in progress when it comes to realizing I don’t have to be the one to do everything, but all of my travel helped me learn this lesson quickly. Flag for your teams what you’re upcoming travel schedule looks like, and if you anticipate needing help, ask for help. Get it on their radar so they, too, can adjust their schedules accordingly.
- Getting to the airport. Shout out to Lorne for this trick of the trade. Cab drivers are more likely to know shortcuts and how to evade traffic, so when it comes to getting to the airport on time, Ubers aren’t the best call. Alternatively, you could even consider driving yourself to the airport. Driving your own car to the airport can be more financially viable as well, especially if you’re driving quite a long distance to the airport. Of course, you will need to think about parking your car at the airport though. People flying from an Australian airport can always consider using Parkhound Gold Coast to find a car park space at the airport. This seems like a lot, but it can be cheaper. However, if you prefer taking an Uber, then do that!
- Experience the city you’re in. Business trips are an opportunity to explore a new city without having to splurge on a vacation. While some trips are a quick 24 hour in-and-out, others will afford you some downtime, and that’s your chance to experience what your temporary home has to offer.
- Keep essentials packed between trips. I have a travel bag with toothpaste, hair spray, and all the essentials that I need that lives in my carry on. Not having to unpack and repack the essentials is a huge help when traveling constantly.
- Pack casual clothes. When you’re exploring the city, you don’t want to be in a pencil skirt and heels (and you definetly don’t want to fly home in that).
- Pack items to help you sleep. A good night’s sleep before a big meeting is essential, but if you’re like me, falling asleep in a hotel room can be tricky. I always pack lavender essential oil, a silk eye mask, melatonin, etc.
- Find or bring healthy foods. Luckily, airports tend to have a lot of healthy options available these days. Eating junk food while traveling is the easiest option, but it also is guaranteed to make you feel lethargic and crummy, which isn’t a good way to head into interactions with clients. Forgo the potato chips and grab some almonds or a Greek yogurt.
