A work trip is about more than reaching your destination, checking off a to-do, and heading home. There’s a lot of responsibility involved, some time management to be implemented, and a lot that could be achieved.
Making the most of your time away is important for several reasons, so some strategic planning is essential.
Here are our top nine tips to help you max out your productivity even when you’re not in the office.
1: Pick Comfortable and Convenient Accommodation
First of all, staying somewhere that you’ll be comfortable is important. Your accommodation is not only where you’ll unwind at the end of the day, but it’s also a spot where you’ll need to focus and get some hard work done in between meetings and events.
Pick a place with a good Wi-Fi connection and a comfortable, distraction-free work zone. A great option is to use short term rentals when visiting Toronto or other large cities, as these provide you the comfort of being in your own space. Look for a space that has a comfortable desk, and if your trip will be long, you’ll want to unpack your clothing so you’re not living out of a suitcase for weeks on end.
2: Don’t Burn Out
Work trips are, more often than not, absolutely packed with meeting upon meeting, drinks after work with clients, and even industry events you may need to attend. This is all very important and even exciting, but remember that you need to rest, too.
Try to schedule your trip in a way that allows you some downtime each day. Avoid planning networking dinners for every night of your trip, and instead allow yourself an evening or two to just wind down and relax in your hotel room. This sounds simple, but it will play an important role in keeping your energy and mood up!
3: Establish and Maintain Routines
One of the best ways to be efficient on your trip is to stick to your usual routine as closely as possible. Keep a consistent work schedule, wake up early, don’t stay up too late, and keep a schedule for meals, exercise, and downtime. A routine is often what helps us stay productive in our regular work and personal lives, and doing your best to keep it up while you’re travelling is important.
This will help you stay focused and ensure that your brain doesn’t slip into thinking you’re on vacation!
4: Plan Ahead
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Simply hopping on a flight and taking every moment as it comes might be a fine way to approach a vacation, but it’s certainly not a recommended strategy for a business trip.
Instead, take the time to plan everything carefully as far in advance as you can. Organize your accommodation and travel plans so you know everything is booked and ready for you. Plan and schedule all your meetings, think about potential clients or other connections you might be able to meet up with while you’re traveling, and create an itinerary for your trip. Include some exploration and leisure time, too!
5: Efficient Time Management Strategies
Of course, when you’re on a work trip, your schedule is likely to be packed full of meetings, networking events, and perhaps even some sneaky leisure activities. This is where having good time management skills is crucial, so you’re able to fit it all in without burning out or dropping the ball.
Make sure your days are properly scheduled and well thought out. Use time-blocking techniques, set reminders on your calendar, and make sure to account for commute times and other setbacks in your day.
6: Stay Connected with Tech
When you’re away from the office, you can easily become disconnected with what’s happening in your regular work life, and this can have annoying consequences for your return home.
Avoid coming back to an overflowing inbox and a host of issues to resolve by staying connected while you’re away. Being on a work trip sounds like the perfect excuse to shut your laptop and leave everything to handle when you get back, but this would be shooting yourself in the foot! Spend some time each morning or evening checking emails and messages.
7: Minimize Distractions
When you’re away from home in a new city, there’s so much to explore and do. You might not feel like working at all! While it’s okay (and even encouraged) to make the most of your time traveling to explore, it’s also important that you focus on the purpose of your trip.
You can minimize distractions by scheduling carefully to account for both work and personal time. During work hours, keep your eye on the prize with the knowledge that you’ll be able to relax and have fun later on and explore new and wonderful places to live.
8: Stay Healthy and Energized
Energy management matters, and we all know that travel can mess with our usual eating, exercise, and sleep habits. This, in turn, can drain us of much-needed energy when we’re working.
Do your best to stick to a healthy routine like you would at home. Keep up your regular exercise as much as possible. If you don’t have access to your usual equipment, try hotel room workouts or a morning jog before work.
You should also take care to pick nutritious options whenever possible. This can be tough when you’re dining out or relying on takeout, but do the best you can, stay hydrated, and avoid over-caffeinating!
9: Balance Networking and Personal Time
Finally, remember that you can work in incredible networking opportunities when traveling for business. You’ll be meeting new people and making important connections on your trip.
If you’re looking forward to a drink or a nice dinner after work, consider turning this personal time into a networking opportunity by inviting colleagues out with you to explore and wind down after intense meetings. This will give you a chance to get to know one another better and build strong relationships.
