Guaranteed Ways to Make Your Business Trip Less Boring

Introduction

 

The world’s leading business hubs happen to also be the best travel destinations: London, New York, Beijing. Despite that, when told to go there for a client meeting or conference, most people will treat it like it is a boring chore.

 

Part of this could be due to advice that’s usually associated with business travel like sticking strictly to one’s schedule, hunting for Wi-Fi, staying in an extremely safe hotel, and being careful until the trip is over. Having spent the better part of the last 10 years managing remote teams, I know of some of the best ways to spend your business trip and make it as lively as holiday travel. I don’t need to tell you that you need a top-notch airport car service.

Even I will admit that it’s not always a bed of roses to go on a business trip. There are days I struggled to sustain my excitement and adventure. After some time though, you will realize that it’s the adventure that sustains you. While it’s understandable that most executives aren’t in a position to pick the city of their travel and move around the world the best way they would like to, something that still baffles me is why a lot of them look at business trips as a chore. There is no question that spending time far from family, jet lag, and lost luggage can be a drag. Still, traveling should be among the best parts of working. Here are some tips to make your work travel less boring and more fun.

 

Extend your stay

 

The term bleisure is gaining a lot of traction these days. It’s a portmanteau word that is derived from two words, business and pleasure. Thanks to jobs becoming more flexible and business travels being more common, the trend has taken off. Book a car service to airport early enough so you don’t have to go through last-minute hassles.

 

Experienced travelers advise that extending your stay is the best way to balance leisure and work. Arrive at your destination at least one day earlier and try to acclimatize and get engrossed in the local culture. Another alternative is to stay behind a few more days to disconnect from your business chores. Whatever option you choose, there is no denying that taking time to tour your surrounding is the best way to ensure you look forward to your next trip. 

 

Treat yourself

 

Another way to make your trip fun is by treating yourself. You need to have that thing that you always look forward to. It could be that you like scheduling a massage or savoring the best parts of any city you travel to. The trick is to try something that will sustain your traveling enthusiasm. Part of this treatment includes using a luxurious airport car service company. It will also give you something to look forward to. 

 

However big or small, the activity should make sense for you. Just ensure that it does not distract you from the purpose of your trip. Also, as long as you don’t feel guilty indulging in that activity, you are good to go. 

 

Be a Tourist

 

Now, not everywhere you will go to will be the most stunning place you’ve ever visited. Still, everywhere has something to see, even if it’s just the local culture or a roadside attraction. The trick is to team up with the locals and find out where the best pizza place in town is. Another alternative would be to stroll in the neighborhoods checking out the architecture. Other suggestions include stopping into a comic store or antique shops or hiking a local trail with your host. In short, there is always something that you can look forward to on your next trip.

 

Get out of the city

 

It could mean you add an extra afternoon or day to your trip. However, if possible, it’s best to venture out of the city and take in a bit of the country. This not only guarantees that you will see something new but also helps you to clear your head. 

 

In case of time doesn’t allow touring the countryside, you could think of finding a park. Leaving the office and spending some time out in nature can be a magical way to reboot. There are people who swear that they’ve thought of the best ideas while just strolling lazily at a park.

 

Stay Offline

 

I deliberately avoid the in-flight Wi-Fi not because it is slow or expensive, but because I use this time to do deep work. I spend it downloading my emails and working through tough ones while I’m offline. It’s just incredible how much I’m able to accomplish by cutting off social media and its distractions.

 

I had a friend who took this even further. She was in Mexico City for six months and did so without a local SIM card. She didn’t just manage to survive without mobile internet. More importantly, it made her so productive that she plans to keep this habit after she moves there next year permanently. Through cutting out distracting texts, calls, and social media, she provided herself with something many business travelers don’t, and this is predictable time off.

 

According to research by Leslie Perlow, a Harvard Business School professor, in conjunction with Jessica Porter, a women’s leadership expert, built-in breaks promote open communication, professional development, and work quality.

 

To handle something urgent that might crop up while you are on the trip, consider hiring a virtual assistant. Ask them to review your messages and have the urgent ones separated. You could also use your VA as your local guide. Therefore, instead of hiring someone from a freelance site like Upwork, look for a VA that lives in the area you intend to travel to. While this means that you hire different VAs for different trips, it doesn’t take much training to make reservations and sort emails, which is all the VAs do. Spending a few more hours showing your VA what you want them to do is a small sacrifice considering that you also get a travel advisor.

 

In case it’s expensive for you to hire a VA, figure out if you can find some help from your host. I remember asking my Romanian client about his favorite things to do and restaurants. It was not just a massive ice breaker, but it also allowed me to discover local places I never would have otherwise found out about. 

 

Conclusion

 

The secret to making your business travel less boring is to treat each trip as a time for adventure. Avoid social media distractions, take a day to explore and do nothing else, and mingle with the locals. Others might think it’s the perfect recipe for losing your job. Chances are that it might actually make you much more productive.

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