While the business world has changed dramatically over the last several years, one thing has stayed the same, and that is the need to take the occasional business trip. Whether you’re meeting with clients, taking a class, or checking out a new facility, there will always be a need for professionals to get up and go to a new place to help their company move forward.
But in our increasingly remote world, where you might spend less time in a physical office and more time in your hotel room meeting through a computer screen, you likely face increased free time. Take advantage of these calmer moments to see the sights of your new city or get a bit of R&R. Let’s talk a bit about smart business trip planning and how to take advantage of your free time while you’re away from home.
Research Ahead of Time
To maximize your productivity and relaxation during your trip, do your research before you leave to check out where you will stay, where you can go, and the mode of transportation that will take you there. While there may be plenty of attractions to see and new places to experience, you can also spend some of your free time relaxing in the pool, sitting out in the sun, or even enjoying the gym. When looking at potential lodging options, check to ensure that they have amenities that allow you to do what you enjoy.
Once you know where you’re staying, you can look for fun activities close to your hotel. Search Google Maps for museums, movie theaters, beaches, basketball courts, day spas, or anything else that you would like to visit. As you create your list of destinations, use a travel planning app like Bublup to create your itinerary. You can also use an app to log your flight information, hotel reservations, and more.
Make the most of your time by determining the best transportation mode to and from your hotel. If everything is close by, you can always walk and get some exercise, which will improve your concentration during meetings. But you might need to get a rental car or depend on public transportation. Plan your route ahead of time so you don’t waste time figuring out where to go. You can use your travel app to help in this regard as well.
Mixing Business and Pleasure
While you may be excited about having some fun, this is still a business trip, so you should ensure that you plan your fun around the work at hand. If you have a say in the matter, then consider scheduling your business meetings earlier in the day. You’ll know that you always have the rest of each day to relax and enjoy yourself.
You can plan your day around where your particular meeting is located. Look at where you’ll be for the work function and go to the attractions around that area so you don’t have to backtrack later in the trip.
If you want to make the most out of your travels, but you don’t have any ideas of what to do, consider some fun activities that many other people enjoy when traveling for work. For instance, you could rent a bike and take a two-wheel tour of the town you are visiting. This is a great chance to check out some cool shops or new restaurants that you have never tried before.
You can look online ahead of time and see if there are any concerts, plays, or movies that you have wanted to see but never got the chance. If you’re a sports fan, you can see if a game is playing at an arena in town. Sports games are a good chance to sit back, have some good food, and hang out with locals.
Take Time to Rest and Reflect
While there are likely many things to do in town, you should plan your trip accordingly to get the R&R that your body needs to stay in shape and be alert during your business meetings. Be sure to schedule each day accordingly to get your recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
If you do have a late night, plan the next day so that you get a chance to catch up on the sleep you missed by fitting in a nap. A nap shouldn’t go on forever—the best naps last for about 15-20 minutes. Any longer and you may wake up over-tired, and you could have trouble falling asleep at night. A short nap will give you the boost you need physically and mentally to enjoy the rest of the day.
Organize your day to give yourself some time to relax and reflect in the evenings. Since your meetings were in the morning and you’ve had time to process what you’ve learned, this is a good time to jot down some notes.
If you have a great idea that just can’t wait, you can use Bublup to collaborate with your coworkers and share your brilliant new strategy. You can also share the fun experiences you’ve had during your trip. Doing so is easy, and you can store all sorts of file types in Bublup, from links and notes to images and videos.
Conclusion
Organizing your free time during your business trips is just as important as setting up your meetings and work activities. Make sure you do your research, mix an adequate amount of business and pleasure, and save time to rest and reflect. Use these tips and Bublup to make it a journey to remember.
