You have seen them, they all look alike, the regular ‘road warrior’ with their determined expression, wrinkle proof suit and pulling a beaten up carry on bag…whether you travel a little or a lot with your company there are a good deal of ways you may boost your personal productivity when you travel. These before, for the duration of and after schemes will support you maximise your time, limit your stress and overall increase your travel productivity.
Before You Travel
Buy the tools – you wouldn’t build a house without the right tools, travel is no different. To be a procreative traveler you want to ascertain you have a assortment of tools to aid the ease and productivity of your trip. Tools to consider purchasing are quality luggage, Ipod, noise cancelling earphones, soft briefcase and GPS system.
20-22 inch Carry On expandable luggage – I like Briggs and Riley, it is durable, light weight, expandable, self healing and well made. Check out http://www.briggsandriley.com. These are permitted in the US and other countries as carry on baggage. When you are buying luggage look for features such as pull along, strong wheels, stability foot on the bottom (in case it gets too heavy), external zippers (to hold travel documentation and the Ziploc toiletry bag) and likewise make sure the pop up handle is a ‘one pull’ action.
IPOD or MP3 – this is not a luxury, this is a requisite for any travel. I have a invented a selection of play lists, including one with very relaxing music so that when it is time to sleep I may turn to this group and fall asleep.
Noise canceling earphones – these are a little bit of a luxury, but I wouldn’t travel anyplace without them. My husband antecedently flew a great deal of long global flights and he turned me onto this outstanding invention. I prefer the Sony little ear bud type and take them where ever I go http://www.sony.com
Briefcase – I like a soft tote briefcase that allows me to include personal and work related items. My favourite is from Coakley Business Class (sorry guys these are just for women) and they are the best travel briefcase I have ever found (and you may use it everyday!) [http://www.coakleybusinessclass.com]. For the gentleman, try the soft Samsonite one, it has outstanding suspension in the shoulder strap. When looking for a brief case also make sure it has the feature to be competent to slide it over your carry on luggage (many have a soft strap or a zippered section to concede you to do this).
GPS (Global Positioning System) – this was the best gift I ever got! They are now getting littler and littler and are perfective to plug into your rental car when you arrive in another city. Also when we were in Italy last year we downloaded the European maps and it was outstanding fun to get around tiny little towns. I have named mine ‘Bella’ – she keeps me company when I am driving late at night or in a city where I don’t know my way.
Consider costume – When you are regularly on the road I suggest a few systems to aid make your life more comfortable for both packing and arriving looking together.
Travel Outfit – Create your own travel outfit, yes it may be the same each time. Mine is a pair of black pants, black top (I have a short sleeve one for summer and a long sleeve one for cooler months), pantyhose and a pair of black patent leather flat slip on shoes. I wear the same silver jewellery with it all and I know when I arrive at the security line I don’t have to remove anything (except my shoes) – that is why pantyhose (or socks) are good when you have to take off your shoes. The fabric of this outfit doesn’t crease and is comfortable (which makes a huge dissimilar on those long flights).
Airport shoes – think with regards to the quality and make of the shoes you wear to the airport. I suggest slip ons of a good deal of description so you are not awkwardly attempting to tie up laces or straps. Also make sure they are comfortable and well made as you oftentimes have to walk long distances amid gates or to the parking area.
Carry a pashmina – for the ladies, I commend you invest in a dark coloured pashmina that has numerous uses. On the plane it is a great blanket (and so a heap of airlines in the US don’t supply pillows and blankets). When I rent a car it becomes a booster seat for me (he he). When I have to sit on an airport floor (yes I have done that living here in the US) it is outstanding to place on the floor … oh and yes I may wear it if I need to keep warm.
Jewellery – wearing the same silver jewellery when I travel I know I may wear it the next day and I may walk through the screening area without having to remove it. It simplifies the procedure and speeds up the line.
Belts – if possible, don’t wear an outfit that requires a belt as it is only one more item of costume you have to remove at the airport line.
Productive Packing – there are a good deal of views on what to pack and I find the most procreative way for me is having a series of pre-packed bags. This includes luggage, carry on plane survival kit, brief case, make up and toiletry bags.
Pre-packed luggage contents includes:
Ziploc toiletry bag
Underwear
First support items (band aids, safety pins and head pain tablets)
Make up bag
Gym gear
Clothes brush (I have a long haired cat and her fur seems to make it is way throughout the world with me)
Book of interest
Cell Phone charger
Laptop power pack
Stamped stationery (note cards and envelopes)
Carry on plane survival kit contents include:
Ipod
Noise cancelling earphones
Spare battery for noise cancelling earphones
Lip balm
Eye mask (for those long flights)
Pen
Eye drops
Travel size toothbrush and toothpaste
Breath mints
Make up kit – ladies if you travel a lot I suggest you buy a full set of make up and make up brushes and tools and keep them in a discerned make up bag so you never have to go looking for something and you never forget something on your trips.
Ziploc Toiletry Bag contents include travel sized:
Decanted shower gel
Skin care
Hair care products
Travel sized perfume or aftershave (most brands now supply a littler size compliant with airline safety standards)
Toothpaste
Spare contact lenses
Many section stores and pharmacies carry a range of travel sized products. I was fascinated when I was in Sephoria in Times Square lately that the selling near the payment counter had changed significantly and provided 50+ selections of regular band merchandise in travel sized commodious containers.
Plastic helps – My friend Camille was an airline goddess for numerous years and gave me this great tip, using the plastic you receive from your arid cleaners around your clothes helps keep away from creases.
Duplicate copies – to be more procreative (and for a few extra dollars) consider laying out capital in duplicates of everything you travel with. If you are a regular traveler, having a pre-packed bag will concede you to leave with minimum detect and save time and stress before any trip. On your list of items to buy you could include:
Toiletries available in travel size
Brushes – make up brushes, hair brushes or combs
Cell phone charger
Laptop power pack
Make up
Stamps and stationery
Spare items i.e. pantyhose, costume brush.
Choose your seat – I like to sit in an aisle seat so I may get in and out and I don’t feel cramped by others. For longer flights (especially the red eye), my friend Shawn books the window seat so you may lean versus the window to sleep, choose your seat wisely. If you have an option of an exit row choose this seat as it gives you more leg room. You may like to check out http://www.seatguru.com – it is a outstanding internetlocation to see precisely what your seat will be on most major airlines.
Pre-print your boarding pass – whenever possible go online 24 hours before you fly and select your seat and print your boarding pass. This will save you time in the long lines at the airport check in and likewise support you find the seat you want.
Join airline clubs – if you fly many times to same cities join the airline programs of those major airlines so you may likewise gather ordinary flyer miles for all your travels. You may be capable to use them for a fun trip with those you care for later on.
Join airline lounges – if you fly with the same carrier regularly to invest in a membership for that lounge so you have a quiet place to snack, get changed or to catch up on reading. I noticed in Australia this was a great use of cash and well worth it nonetheless in the US the gates and lounges are so disseminate out and there are so a good deal of choices to travel with dissimilar airlines this hasn’t been a suitable investment for me here, notwithstanding if you fly the same airline each time it might be worth it for you.
Create a one page itinerary – create a one page template that includes your confirmation codes of all flight details, hotel and rental car information. Include on this template all your general flyer clubs and associations likewise so that if you arrive and they haven’t included this in your booking you may quickly get credit for your travel.
During Your Travel
Allow extra 30 minutes – add at least 30 minutes onto any amount of time you think it will take you to get to the airport or park. This further and added time will save you stress if you are stuck in traffic, can’t find a car space or the security line is longer than you expected. If you have pre-packed a book or magazine you may use that 30 minutes to read or to connect with a friend or client.
Know the Parking Garage – if you steadily travel on the same airline, recognise the shuttle system or design of the car park so you may get in and out quickly.
Take your ticket – when you receive a parking receipt/ticket on your arrival place it in the same compartment of your bag or briefcase so you recognise where to find it upon your return.
Write the parking space on your ticket – in the US the parking garages are so big that I always write the colour and space on my parking receipt so that when I arrive back after a few days away (often late at night), I may quickly find my car and not waste time wandering around the parking garage.
Ground transport observe – when you enter an airport, observe where the taxis, rental car shuttles or parking garages are. This will save you time when you return and grant you to quickly make your way to the next place.
Regular rental – Use the same rental company each time you travel will likewise boost your productivity because you will suppose a sure general each time you fly. You might likewise consider joining their frequent client program too. I like using Enterprise because they are lowcost and likewise each time you arrive they look so happy to see you and they pay attention to little details including water bottles in the car and likewise pre-printed local lists of radio stations and areas of interest.
Play music – by creating dissimilar play lists on your IPOD you will receive pleasure from your travel more if you may listen to music and block out the noise around you. This is effective in the airport lounge, at the gate and on the plane. You might likewise like to include a CD in your packing checklist for the rental car.
Getting through security – there are assorted tips to aid you get through the line faster:
Wear an outfit that doesn’t require any remotion of items or have any metal.
Place your cell phone and keys into your briefcase or purse before entering the security line.
Keep your Ziploc bag of toiletries in an outside zippered compartment for quick access.
Get your laptop out of your briefcase before you reach your place in line.
Place your laptop, shoes and toiletries in one container on the security screen belt.
Keep your boarding pass and photo identification in your hands.
Check in or carry on – I always carry on luggage (up to a five day business trip), I have learnt to pack well and have invested in a minimum number of outfits. I think there is so much time wasted waiting for luggage (not to mention the concern it may not arrive with you!) wherever possible try and carry on luggage for your business travel.
Laptop … or not – if your trip doesn’t require you to take your laptop, leave it at home. It is one less thing to juggle through security and numerous laptops add substantial weight to your briefcase. Leave it behind if you can. If you have to take it with you consider buying a smaller, light weight model one that is easy to use and you may remainder in little places. You do pay more for smaller, lighter models but it is cash well spent.
Keep a reading file – as you gather articles, newsprints or journals you want to read, take them with you when you travel. Each week I receive the Philadelphia Business Journal and I take it with me on the plane to read and enjoy. It is a paper that keeps my interest and little sufficient it doesn’t crowd the person besides me.
Buy bottled water – percentage of my procedure as soon as I get through the security line is to head to the nearest store to buy 2 bottles of water. During the flight it is necessary to drink water to keep you hydrated, two bottles allows me to drink before the plane arrives (has been helpful when there are big delays) and for the duration of the flight.
Eat healthful – some airlines don’t supply quality feed on board so try to find healthful solutions within the airport to satisfy your hunger. You may likewise like to buy something to eat on board for longer flights so you are snacking on healthful items. I like to travel with a bag of almonds and pecans so that I always have a yummy (and healthy) snack available. AS you are flying from the same airport each week, become intimate with the feed offerings inside the terminal so you may quickly find something you take pleasure in eating.
Hotel procedure – no matter what time I arrive at a new hotel I have the same routine. I open my suitcase, remove my suit and hang it on a hanger. If it has assembled little creases in the travel I take it into the bathroom, hang it up and turn on the hot shower to develop a ‘steam room effect’ and this removes any creases. Now for my Australian readers who are experiencing a drought right now that seems very wasteful so you may want to hang these clothes while you are showering the next day to keep away from water waste. You might like to take this prospect to iron your clothes instead. I then plug in my laptop, set up my cell phone charger, set my alarm and pull out the documents or reading for the next day. By having the same routine each time you will be generative and not forget indispensable details (and you save time in the morning also).
Exercise – if you don’t have a gym in the hotel consider either taking a walk outside at the beginning of your day or exercising in your room. I oftentimes place a towel on the floor and then do a series of stretches, yoga, sit ups and push ups. You may establish a routine specially for travel that doesn’t require any instrumentation i.e. push ups, sit ups, squats and any yoga.
Call a client – you oftentimes have down time in the airport so it is a great time to reconnect with a client or colleague. I use this time to touch base with primary persons in my life and it becomes percentage of my business development time.
Be strategic – time in hotel rooms may be lonely or unproductive so I use this time to design new products, review my business plan, catch up on reading and design new models or programs for my business. Some of my best ideas have come while sitting in my hotel room – use this time for scheme and thought space rather of turning on the TV to keep your company.
Stay connected – when you arrive at your emplacement notify an individual essential to you. I like to call my husband when I have arrived in my hotel so he knows I am safe and sound and I get to listen his voice. Calling your family or friend is a great way for you to keep connected on the road.
Write thank you notes – because I carry stamped stationery with me when I travel, I use the flight home to write notes to persons I met for the duration of my trip. When I arrive my next destination I post them. It is a great way to reconnect with persons after you have met them and is a generative use of flight time.
After Your Travel
Know the most immediate route home – understand the quickest and least traffic congested way to get out of the airport so you may be home with those you care for in the smallest amount of time. Where I live there are 2 major ways home and if you take the defective one at a great deal of peculiar times for the duration of the day it may add up to an hour to your ride home (not so much fun after a long flight) so recognise which ways are best at dissimilar times for the duration of the day.
Unpack speedily – if you arrive home early enough, unpack your bag, refill any necessary toiletry items and allocate clothes for washing or arid cleaning.
Refill and replace – update any items in your ‘pre-packed’ toiletries or luggage that need attention to save you time for future trips. Note any further and added items you may have forgotten on this trip and place them in your luggage so you don’t forget them next time.
Debrief your trip – recall any items you missed, observe things that you enjoyed or frustrated you and make the changes that are within your control. Each time you travel you may learn something new that will aid you save time or save you feeling of annoyance at being hindered or criticized for your next travel experience.
Thank your team – if you have an assistant, let them recognise what went well regarding the trip and any enhancements you would like to make for your next trip. Thank your travel agent for the trip planning and likewise let them know if something didn’t go well and talk about how to repair it for the next trip. Thank your client for the probability to work with them. If you experienced great service at some point in the trip take the time to email or write a thank you note to that organisation. The simple art of thanking humans is ofttimes overlooked but is one of the most powerful things you may do to boost your productivity and make someone else’s day!
Gather your receipts – there is so much paperwork collected on trips including boarding passes, rental agreements, and feed and hotel receipts. Keep this in a central place when you travel (I take a clear plastic folder for this very intention each time I travel). When you arrive home speedily sort through the paper, action business cards and file any receipts or keep them isolated for your clients. Process all your paper within 24 hours.
Action business cards – if you have met new people for the duration of your generative trip take the time to now action those cards. You might like to write a ‘nice to meet you’ note, scan them and add them to your database and write a note for any follow up action required. Following this routine diligently each time you travel will stay clear from piles of business cards gathering on your desk (reminding you of action you haven’t taken!)
Be thankful – if you are travelling for business it means you have a successful occupation that is supporting you and your family. Stop hating it and get started enjoying it. Giving thanks for the probability to see new places, meet new people and part your experience is a privilege.
Change your language around travel, take delight in it, hug it and you will be more productive! Next time you see another road warrior smile at them and let them recognise you understand. You may be more generative each time you travel by applying these before, for the duration of and after you travel strategies… now where am I off to tomorrow?
Not very sturdy!!!
These ROCK!
The worst sound quality I have ever purchased. UPDATE: I WAS WRONG.