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How to make the most of your travel time

When you are a frequent business traveler, you understand that even short flights can take up a lot of valuable time. Think about how long it takes to travel to and from the airport, check in, go through security, wait for your flight to board, and even wait for your luggage.

While travel may be necessary for your company, it may be difficult to actually get anything done during the limbo time before and after your flight. Focusing on anything substantial may be impossible.

Tips for being your most productive self while you travel

So, it is important for you to figure out ways to be as effective as possible while in transit. We’ve compiled a few tips that may just help you accomplish this feat.

Here are some ways to increase your productivity during your next flight and be in the best shape possible for that business meeting when you land:

Hydration and Fueling

Staying hydrated at high altitudes is extremely important. It helps keep you awake and prevents you from getting sick. Bring plenty of water with you on the flight and don’t be shy about asking for more if you run out. It is also a good idea to bring your own snacks or meal. Try to keep it simple and healthy and avoid salty offerings.

Prepare yourself for no internet access

Even though onboard WiFi is getting better, it is still a good idea to be prepared for spotty or non-existent internet access on your flight. It is usually easy to download documents that you can work on without being connected. You can also likely draft emails to be sent when you land and re-establish a connection.

Charge before you board

This one may seem like a no-brainer. Make sure that all of your electronic devices, like your laptop, tablet, and phone, are fully charged before you board. In the rush of travel it is often easy to neglect to do this one simple task. To help you remember, make it a part of your packing checklist or add it to your electronic calendar. You may also find it useful to bring a power strip along with you. You can charge in the terminal and may even help out a fellow passenger in need of some juice.

Be friendly

You never know who might be sitting next to at the boarding gate or on the flight. This is especially true if you’re flying in business or first class. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and make small talk. They could be a potential networking contact, customer, client, business partner, mentor, or even friend. Make sure to keep business cards handy to solidify your new connections.

Move around

Like staying hydrated and eating well, exercise will do your body good while you travel. Before you board walk around the terminal, stretch, or climb some stairs. Throughout the flight, walk up and down the aisles to keep your circulation flowing. These little things will keep you feeling refreshed and focused.

Take care of busy work ahead of time

We all have daily work that is a necessary part of our lives and jobs. Things like filling out reports and reorganizing your calendar. It is a good idea to complete that work before you begin traveling. If you don’t have those little tasks to worry about, you can actually spend what time you have focusing on important projects or tasks.

Set and prioritize goals

Before you embark on your trip, take time to think about what you actually hope to accomplish while you are traveling. Beyond that, decide which tasks you want to tackle first. It is usually a good idea to focus on the most difficult or time-consuming as soon as possible while you are awake and energized. Check off the items you have completed as you go. This will help keep you organized and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Calculate your time

After you have set and prioritized your goals, think about how much time it will take you to accomplish each task. Once you do that, create a pattern of work that makes the most of your time and gives you breaks in between. For example, you may decide to work for 40 minutes and then take a 10 minute break. It is easier to stay focused if you have a plan of action.

Keep calm

Maybe you are stressed about the upcoming meeting or sales pitch you will be facing on this trip or maybe you are just a nervous flyer (even seasoned business travel vets can be jittery on planes). Whatever the cause of your anxiety, it is best to try to relax and stay calm. Close your eyes, take some deep breaths, listen to soothing music, or even meditate if you are feeling an attack of nerves.

Power down periodically

If you are on a long haul flight you can’t expect to keep up a steady stream of productive work for the entire time. If you feel yourself start to get tired or your mind starts to drift, step away from your work. Turn off the laptop and occupy yourself with something mindless. Watch a movie, read a novel, try a crossword or sudoku puzzle, or even take a nap. It is perfectly acceptable to rest and recharge.

These are just a few tips to help you be as productive as possible on your next business trips. Do have any tips that work well for you? Please share them in the comments section!

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