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Packing Liking a Pro for Business Travel

If there’s one area of business travel I needed a crash course early on, it was packing like a pro for business travel.

Now, this is ironic because I grew up with a father who traveled and was a master at the art of packing. Not a square inch was wasted on the Buckley family vacation. Each item fit like a puzzle piece and my father passed that mad skill on to me as well. It was the opposite of Clark Griswold in the movie, Vacation, packing their family truckster.

But when I first started traveling, I was a chronic over-packer. I don’t like to be caught off guard and as a result I always took too much.

Over time, I watched other road warriors and just worked to improve this area of efficiency for business travel.

There’s a science but also an art to packing and we’re going to break down the difference and the importance of each one.

What you’ll use to pack is the science.

What you bring beyond the essentials and how you pack is the art.

Now, this article focuses on the new business traveler, but you would be surprised how many tips even a seasoned road warrior can learn by having an open mind and being willing to improve.

Packing Like A Pro for Business Travel

There are two major elements to business travel packing:

1. Luggage – aka: Carry On

There are seasoned road warriors who won’t check their bag even if they had to give up their spouse or child. It’s a non-negotiable.

Some do all the time for the freedom of not pulling a bag or worrying about bin space.

Some are forced to because of what they need to bring for work to do their job.

The point is learning to maximize a carry-on bag every chance you can. It’s always easier to add than to minimize.

Get the essentials down first.

A few articles ago I listed myself preferred carry-on called the Genius Pack G4 22″ Carry On Spinner Luggage.

It’s designed for the business traveler: from the durability to the packing compartments. It’s costly, around $250 but worth every penny for me since I take it everywhere on every trip.

The key is finding something you like that enables you to be more efficient. If there’s a place to spend money on you, it’s right here.

2. Work Bag

This is where anything work-related goes and your second allowed carry-on.

Typical elements:

  • Laptop
  • Tablet
  • Chargers
  • Anything paper-related such as presentations, files, etc.
  • Headphones
  • Pens / Highlighters

Then there are two different road warrior camps or schools of thought here of what kind of work bag works for them:

  • Backpack

This is for the more casual business traveler or who cares more about functionality.

Backpacks are notoriously known for compartments. The one I’ve used is the eBags Pro Slim Laptop Backpack and prices range between $70-$85 on Amazon depending on color.

What I love about this backpack is what’s called the junk drawer and allows for the ideal place for chargers and plugs. It also has a number of sleek and spacious compartments.

Depending on the type of trip, I will use this backpack.

  • Traditional Computer Bag

The more corporate traveler or simply those who dress up more for their travels lean towards the traditional computer bag.

This is where I’ve landed most of my business travel career.

I prefer the compartments of the backpack but my role/look is definitely the computer bag.

I’ve also struggled to find “the ideal computer bag” and have tried so many through the years.

Currently, I’m using a leather Wilson’s bag that has a number of great compartments and ideal for me right now.

One last comment on your work bag choice. Either way, make sure it has a strap that allows you to easily attach your backpack or computer work bag to your carry-on. You need it to be seamless and easy.

Next major consideration: Packing Lists.

Create a Packing List especially when you’re starting out for two reasons:

1. To not forget anything
2. To determine what you need and don’t need

Categories For Your Packing List. This list was provided from JetSet Genius and a good list to work from:

  • Toiletries
  • Liquids
  • Medications & Vitamins
  • Tech & Office
  • Casual Clothes
  • Business Clothes
  • Sleep
  • Fitness
  • Pool or Beach Trips
  • International Trips
  • Special Events

My suggestion is to use my list for a while then create your own that fits you exactly.

Let’s reference key accessories for a moment:

Key Accessories

  • Headphones – you may be a Bose or Beats fan. You may prefer in-ear or over the ear. No matter what you choose, don’t skimp in this area. I highly recommend Noise-Canceling Technology as well.
  • Power strip – this may seem unusual or even a luxury but I’ve had many a time where I’ve needed to charge at the airport, restaurant, or hotel lobby and the one outlet within a mile is already in use. A power strip that “shares the wealth” is the perfect solution. I found one called the NtonPower Travel Power Strip that has 2 Outlets, and 3 USB Ports. It’s a 15 inches Wrapped Short Extension Cord for only $17 on Amazon.

Key Elite Road Warrior Accessories

  • Water Bottle – I don’t want to keep using disposable plastic water bottles, so this reusable one is a must. I can always bring it on the plane with me, and keep hydrated.
  • Flat Kiddos – an absolute must in my work computer bag that I can pull out at any point on my trip to take a picture of my Flat Kiddos. This has made a MAJOR difference staying connected with my kids in a creative way on the road
  • Frame the Fam Pics – I have two 5×7 frames in my carry-on and I pull them out when I unpack in my hotel. One is of me and my wife, the 2nd is a fam pic. I put them in two places in my hotel room to remind me of what is important at all times. Quick tip: take the glass out of the frame. #BadPersonalExperience
  • Not Forgotten Journal – if there’s one choice that I made on the road, it’s to take just 2 minutes a day to write something, anything, just not nothing to my wife to let her know she’s not forgotten while I’m on the road. I put this NFJ in my carry-on so even on a busy day, I can pull it out on the plane and write her something in just two minutes.

Let me leave you with four pro tips to pack like a pro for business travel.

Pro Tips

  • Packing Cubes – use packing cubes to maximize space. You’d be surprised how much you can get in a carry-on bag if you pack properly.
  • Laundry aids – detergent pod/dryer sheet – I try to stay at as many hotels with full amenities like a kitchen and washer/dryer so any time I can wash a quick load and keep my carry-on fresh all the better. And if I know my hotel arrangements, I can pack fewer items. So taking a couple of detergent pods and dryer sheets is a great choice for space
  • Shout gel stain pen – you’re bound at some point to get a stain on a great shirt, jacket, or pants and the longer it stays, the harder it is to get out so I carry with me a Shout gel pen to blot out my sin asap. I put it in the quart size bag with my detergent pods and dryer sheets. Minimal space, maximum benefit.
  • Double essentials (chargers / toiletries) – One of my biggest errors that went on for far too long was forgetting at least one thing every single trip. My computer charger, phone charger, tooth brush, and on and on and on. Then someone suggested “double the essentials.” At first, I just thought about the cost until I realized I had already doubled almost everything because I had forgotten it before!

So, I’ve now doubled absolutely everything I possibly can and just leave it in my carry-on:

  • Computer charger
  • Phone charger
  • Computer mouse
  • Toiletries – tooth brush / toothpaste / floss / hair cream / deoderant / essential oils
  • Workout Clothes – shoes / shorts / shirts / socks

Action Plan:

1. Determine if you’re a Backpack or Computer Bag kind of road warrior and upgrade as necessary
2. Pick up a copy of my packing list at EliteRoadWarrior.com/095
3. Double everything essential you can
4. Purchase key accessories such as packing cubes, power strip, etc.
5. Purchase Elite Road Warrior accessories here.

You Got This!

References

7 Early Warning Signs for Companies to Avoid Business Travel Burnout:

Top Ten Business Travel Hacks Guide:

 

Five Decisions You Must Make at Every Restaurant on the Road

One of the best parts of being a business traveler is the food experience.

It’s great not having to cook or clean up.

Then there’s the ability to chose the type of food you want:

  • Steak
  • Seafood
  • Italian
  • Mexican
  • Thai
  • …and the list goes on.

But wait, there’s more!

Then you get to choose what you want to order off the menu.

Oh the choices.
Oh the temptations!

And the best part of all? You’re not paying for it!

Or at least not yet, right?!

The nights you’re with a customer or client or team dinner, there are no limits.

Choose that appetizer or wine you’ve always wanted to try but never could afford.

Order that top-shelf liquor – heck, make it a double!

But on the company card, of course.

Bring it on!

Yet there is a cost. A heavy cost. And too many road warriors literally carry that cost with them all over their body from flight to board room to hotel. The travel triangle. The weight is literally weighing them down and the scale only goes up.

However, each decision can be easier if you view eating out on the road with the following lenses:

  • Food is Fuel
  • Fuel is Energy

This mindset is critical because it’s not based on the here and now “oh that looks or smells good” but on how I will feel later when we oftentimes need the energy.

The energy to….

  • Finish that proposal
  • Review the presentation
  • Get to bed at a decent time

I not only made the wrong decisions for years, I had the weight to prove it.

You’ve heard of the Freshman 15.
Then there’s the Travel 20.
And being the over-achiever I was on the road, I doubled it and earned what I call “the Entitled 40”

The reality is I could justify my choices and behaviors all day long and night for that matter.

And who was going to argue with me? The business traveler who struggling with the same issues? They’re my biggest supporter!

The point is you need to come to a point in your Road Life where you begin to think about your health along with your work.

We focus too much on the work aspect of the road in general when our health and our home life suffer just as much if not more.

This is why Elite Road Warrior has three focus areas:

  • Work
  • Health
  • Home Life

You do have choices.

And your choices have consequences.

I used to be the guy who said,

“Wow, that looks good. Oh, that looks good, I’ll try that too.”

“Another drink, please?”

“Look at that dessert! I’ll just try a bite”…. until it’s gone.

Leader of the pack! So, I get the battle of eating out on the road ALL-THE-TIME.

I’ve since lost the Entitled 40 in pounds and have kept it off.

I’ve stopped “getting by” on the road and chosen to “get better” and that means every time you eat out on the road.

There is hope and you can learn to leverage the road to get better. And I’m here to be your guide.

All five key decisions are in full effect the most at dinner when we’re much more relaxed potentially after a long travel day or a stressful day on the road but these apply to lunch too.

Five Key Decisions You Must Make at Every Restaurant on the Road

These five decisions are naturally in order. They shouldn’t surprise you but somehow we act surprised when the server comes by and asks us these five questions.

Every.
Single.
Time.

And the nicer the restaurant, the more choices you’ll have right before your very eyes, oftentimes even presented to you on a literal silver platter.

Decision One – What I Will Drink

At dinner time, “the entitled me” always seems to show up ready to go no matter how last night went if you know what I mean.

And depending on if ‘I’m alone for dinner with my laptop lover or entertaining guests or being entertained, I enjoy the wine part of the “wine and dine”.

This is where the slippery slope begins and we have to “know thyself.”

For me, the more I drink, the sloppier I become on my nutrition, especially after a long day.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Always and I mean always order a glass of water if one is not already provided for you. Then here’s the key: drink as much as you can to start. Why?
    • Most of us are more dehydrated than we even think so getting some water into your system is always a smart decision
    • 2. Water fills us up and hopefully detours us from over-eating
    • Join the Free WMP – water match program so whatever drink you do order, make sure you match it 1:1 with water. This will keep you hydrated the rest of the night and especially save you from waking up overly-parched and feeling like you’ve swallowed cotton balls that seem to multiply throughout the night
  • Think about what you’re really drinking and how much you plan to or should drink. Are you going to stay with one type of drink or hop all over the place? For me, when I start hopping, I start paying for it and I don’t mean the tab. Through the years, I’ve become a vodka tonic guy and it’s served me well.

Decision Two – Will I Order an Appetizer

This decision doesn’t come far behind the 1st decision of What I Will Drink.

I never order an appetizer when I’m by myself but somehow am overly tempted with other people.

It’s like each person is waiting for the other one to say “no thanks” or “sure, what looks good to you?”

The appetizer can be the “gotcha” to the meal. When I give in to something especially unhealthy, I get lazy at everything after that point.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Always pre-decide – this means don’t base your decision on what looks and/or smells good. If you do, you’re going down like a Mike Tyson punch.
  • If you choose, eat the cleaner and greener appetizer.
  • If you’re a moderator, which means you can take just one bite and stop, stick to the plan
  • If you’re an abstainer, which means if you start, hide the women and children, it’s going to get ugly quick and the appetizer will disappear, Know Thyself, and don’t start.
  • Order a dark green salad – this is my go-to-choice for a few reasons:
    1. I avoid the tempting and fattening appetizer
    2. It allows me to get in healthy clean greens – just be smart with the toppings and dressings

Remember, Clean and Green is the 2nd element of FUEL after Continually Hydrate. So, use this time to get the good stuff in early – meaning the clean and green stuff.

Decision Three – What Is My Main Course

Ah, the featured presentation. This is why we’re here eating out, well, at least as far as food is concerned.

And depending on the restaurant, this may not be top-secret. If you’re at a chophouse, duh. If you’re at a seafood place, you get the point.

There are two main choices here:

  1. The main course needs to be Clean – look for the cleanest meat possible whether beef, chicken, eggs. If it’s really clean, it will list “grass-fed or organic” which means this is your easiest choice. If not, your 2nd main choice becomes all the more important
  2. What goes ON the main course – we can make a great clean decision with the main course then go five steps backward by all the heavy sauces, etc.

You may fight back and say, “but that’s what gives it all the flavor! And there is truth to it. But it doesn’t mean going ALL or Nothing.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Always do your research – most restaurants now have online menus, so do some intel. Why? Avoid impulse choosing.
  • Put the sauce on the side – sometimes when it’s doused all over the place, you’re forced to eat ALL of it. But if you can just try it, maybe it’s not as good as advertised. Sometimes just a dip here and there is all you need and a better choice in the long run.
  • Add First Then Reverse – first and foremost, get the healthy in. Start there if this is not natural yet and feels like too big of an ask. Add the good stuff in first then begin reversing by taking the bad stuff off. For example, the sauces all over the meat or salad.

Decision Four – What Are My Side Dishes

This may seem like a default decision from your choice of the main dish. But not always.

You can go rogue and choose a side other than what the menu suggests or compels you to choose.

And most restaurants will allow you to easily make the change and sometimes with a very small upcharge. Not a big deal and worth the cost to eat clean and green.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Always have at least one vegetable and preferably with not a ton of processing – steamed broccoli/asparagus / green beans, sautéed spinach, cauliflower, etc.
  • Choose a sweet potato over a baked potato or fries
  • Choose double veggies – another way to sneak in more “Green” of the clean and green.
  • Take a healthy side to go – I do this very often since almost every hotel I stay at has at least a mini-fridge and a microwave.

Decision Five – If I Will Have Dessert

You know they always ask if you want dessert, and if you’re not prepared, you go back to the awkward moment of deciding on the spot.

I tell this story in the Elite Road Warrior book about how at a dinner of 12, a one-pound brownie with a gallon of ice cream covered in whipped cream came out and after hundreds and hundreds of dollars were put on the table as a bet of who could eat it, I took on the challenge (mind you, this was during my Entitled 40 days…).

Impressively and sadly, I finished it then couldn’t digest it, lie down, or sleep for 48 hours. Brutal. Stupid (at least I donated the money).

All that to say, I’ve been the freak in the freak show so I understand the power of decision five: If I will have dessert.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Learn to say “no” upfront so others know where you stand
  • Know if you’re a moderator or abstainer – I know the “wanna be moderators” whose “just a bite” is the gift that keeps on giving or should I say taking. I’ve eaten with you people.
  • Choose a fruit bowl – this is my go-to when I want something sweet but not go down heavy with the dessert. I love anything berries and you can’t go wrong.
  • Carry dark chocolate with you – my wife and I are huge Trader Joe dark chocolate lovers. I carry a bar with me – far healthier choice and less ugly in the long run.

If you follow these five decisions you must make at every restaurant on the road in the healthiest form, you will win with nutrition in business travel.

And you will have the energy to prove it along with fewer pounds to carry.

I get you because I am you!

References

10 Business Travel Hacks Guide

7 Early Warning Signs for Companies to Avoid Business Travel Burnout

How an Unexpected Surgery Has Exposed Struggles in my Life

This article will be unusual for a few reasons:
1. It discusses my off-road life
2. It’s personal
3. It’s something I’ve never experienced and challenges the six energy habits

I’m known as a very healthy guy and work hard to keep this elite status both on the road and at home.
Then 2020 hit. If Covid-19 wasn’t disruptive enough in every area of life, 2020 was brutal on the health side in the Buck Fam.

In May, my 9-year old was severely burned and it was one of the scariest moments of my life as I wondered if my son would have skin damage for the remainder of his life. He’s come a long way amidst this scare and time will tell on the long-term scarring.

Then I had a colonoscopy and a scope done due to unknown stomach issues. Another rough health stretch that required going in-and-out of the hospital.

Over the summer, I severely bruised my rib and pulled some muscles playing with the kids that required X-rays and an MRI and dramatically affected my summer.  #RoughHealthStretch

Until….
I had the mother of all falls. And due to the severely bruised rib and pulled muscles, I instantly protected my ribs at the cost of my shoulder. For weeks, I just pushed through it and it kept getting worse. Then… my 4-year old flew through the air with the greatest of ease from a retaining wall and absolutely finished the job on my left shoulder.

The next day something pops and a few days later, I’m getting an MRI. If the technician’s face had words, it was “you have no idea what you’re in for buddy.” 24 hours later I’m seeing a specialist at Northwestern Medicine in the Chicago land area who told me I had multiple tears in my rotator cuff. Within 36 hours, I meet with the surgeon, and my surgery was made for the next possible surgery slot.

Now, if you’ve ever had “one of those surgeries” everyone has a story for, you know what I’m talking about and this is definitely in that category. At this point, I listen, smile, or read the text, and just say thank you.

Surgery happened a few days ago,

Exposed Struggle #1 – I’m getting little to no movement

Movement creates energy.

First taken away was my ability to lift any weights after the initial injury which was an immediate red flag that something was wrong. After the 2nd blow, I lost the ability to do any cardio due to the pounding on the shoulder.

This has left me to standing and walking which as you know, “something, anything is better than nothing.”

But I’m feeling the loss of Run More and Lift More in Energy Habit One: MOVE.

Post-surgery, I’m having to spend a ton of time icing so my stand time has decreased as well.

Physical therapy starts soon and it will be three months of intensity – bring it on.

I know this will be the longest of my exposed struggles due to the nature of the injury but each day feels like a month at this point.

Word to Myself: Walk Away – I need to increase my walk time every chance I get every single day and no matter what the weather

Exposed Struggle #2 – I’m unstructured and unproductive

I was able to get work done pre-surgery up until the back-to-back tests and doctor appointments but I had no idea how much I would be scattered and unmotivated post-surgery.

My pain has been higher than planned and for the first time I’m balancing lack of meds and pain with clarity or more meds, less pain, and cloudy. #NotAFan

I don’t have my normal morning routines because my nights are absolutely brutal. Even though I took off work and I’m playing it day-by-day, each day just feels like a meandering of nothing really getting done.

And for someone who is a high achiever and loves seeing results, there is more pain than just my shoulder shooting pains!

I get it. I’m days after a surgery that majorly affects my day-to-day life. But I’m already done with feeling like I’m wasting hours and now, days.

Word to Myself: Get a Plan – I need to start with my morning routine to begin my day with structure and then choose one major thing I can accomplish every single day.

 

Exposed Struggle #3 – I’m a night owl again

By nature, I come alive in the evening especially if I stay up past 10:00 pm. Something in my body ignites and I’m ready to go another round or two.

I used to stay up late all the time. I can blame the NBA and MLB playoffs which usually are my fall mistress but it’s far more than just some games that I don’t have a dog in the fight. My family goes to bed and I’m clocking hour after hour of awake time which I used to be “that guy.”

Word to Myself: Sleep with your wife! I need to go to bed with my wife no matter what even if it takes me forever to crash. I need to put a “kibosh” on this loose bedtime which is never good.

 

Exposed Struggle #4 – I’m lazy on my eating

My meds have affected my appetite so I’m all over the place of what and when I’m eating.

Then you add the exposed struggle of becoming a night owl again. And what did I do when I stayed up late before? Trashed a perfectly good eating day in a matter of moments with the late-night cravings.

I cannot depend on those around me to make good choices for me. Unfortunately, when I’m not working out, I’m lazier on my diet but I cannot let this one go especially with being down for three months of intense physical therapy.

I know better and need to get a new hot streak going in the right direction eating healthier.

Word to Myself: MTHC (Make the Healthiest Choice) – I need to continually hydrate more along with eat cleaner and greener

 

Exposed Struggle #5 – I’m not sleeping

Between us girls, the roughest part of my post-surgery recovery has been sleeping (or the lack thereof). I’m like a pet taking multiple short naps through the night. And it’s absolutely killing me. It affects my early morning routine which I mentioned, and then it affects my structure and productivity, already mentioned.

I have this gadget called the “ultra sling” which keeps my arm in a certain position for my rotator cuff to heal after multiple tears that had to be re-attached. I get it and understand it but I struggle so much during the night time.

It was recommended to sleep in a recliner but again, that’s the nap spot and I’m just not comfortable there all night every night. I prefer my bed.

And as a result, I may be in my own bed, then the recliner, then the guest bed all in one night and it’s killing me, smalls!

Word to Myself: Don’t make it worse – I need to make the best of the rest I get knowing it will eventually get better

Exposed Struggle #6 – I’m drinking at home like I’m entertaining on the road

This one has been already in the works with Covid and all of the changes that have challenged my family and especially me the past six months.

But I’ve succumbed to drinking to make me feel better and this is a slippery slope at best. I’m not in a good place and drinking all the time like I’m entertaining on the road is not the answer.

I’m drinking less amounts but the frequency needs to be addressed.

I’m not a good example in this area for my kids and this needs to matter to me more especially right now since everyone is home all of the time.

Word to Myself: Lay off the Sauce – I need to “be dried out” during the week. No excuses.

These side exposed struggles have exposed three primary emotions I’m experiencing on a consistent basis:

  • Frustration – I can’t move as I’ve always done. I literally cannot move my arm and it’s paralyzing and frustrating to need so much help and struggle on so many simple tasks like taking a shower, getting dressed, really anything that requires two hands
  •  Anxiety – I’ve never had a limb so damaged and affect my life and it’s created this rare emotion in me. I’m anxious around people. I feel trapped in the sling especially at night and it’s revealed a level of anxiousness that is concerning to me.
  • Depression – I’ve not been one to stay discouraged or depressed for long but all of the financial and health blows my family and I have suffered this year have put me in a place where I’m fighting this demon. It’s also feeding some of these struggles such as not eating well, not wanting to go for a walk, not caring if I’m structured or productive, and definitely drinking too often.

I need to be honest, I hate admitting these struggles but I want to be real to you in the good and the bad. This unexpected injury and now surgery exposed these struggles and deep emotions that are overwhelming but part of my journey right now especially being off the road.

I hope you found my vulnerability sincere and refreshing. As my brother has taught me for decades, “this too shall pass.” I’ve been through worse and will choose to grow through it not just go through it.

I’m blessed to have close friends and a counselor to process these struggles and emotions which is absolutely critical right now in my life. I want to help you become and remain an Elite Road Warriar today to eliminate burnout and exceed results.

You Got This!

References

10 Business Travel Hacks Guide

7 Early Warning Signs for Companies to Avoid Business Travel Burnout

Seven Things I Do On Every Flight

This article is brought to you by the book, Beyond Travel by Marcey Rader. An absolute must-read for a business traveler from my mentor and now friend.

 

Most business travelers have one thing in common and that is they’re on an airplane. But how they use their time on the flight is where things change.

How we use our time is a very personal thing. Not convinced? Tell someone they’re not using their time wisely and just wait for THAT response.

I suggest stepping back or getting ready for the inner defense attorney in them to come pouring out.

And since I’m a student of road warriors as a business travel performance expert, I’m always watching, listening, and learning how they spend their time.

One of the best labs for this observation is the airplane, imagine that.

You can tell who is on the plane for business travel and who is there for leisure.

The ones that stand out as the business traveler use their time doing three primary things:
1. To Work
2. To Watch Something
3. To Sleep

They sleep because they’re exhausted before they even land at their destination on the very 1st day of the trip, We know how THAT story goes, and it’s not the ideal way to start your Anchor Day.

I’m often either asked how I spend my time on a plane and/or those around me comment on my use of time on the flight.

Let me give you a money PRO TIP this early in the article.

Create Your Flight Plan.

A pilot has a flight plan and so should you. Both take you from one place to the other.

This is the exact opposite of most road warriors.

Again, what do they do?

Work
Watch Something
Sleep

Some multi-task and are somehow able to do all three at the same time… but do none of them well.

Have you seen that guy or girl? Is that you?

If it’s an early flight, they’re knocked out before the flight even takes off.

When they awaken from their coma nap with award mocking, I mean marvelous hair, they crack open their laptop and randomly go at it.

Then they get bored and start to watch something.

That’s more of a Flight “C’mon Man” than a Flight Plan.

And I’ve found there are four arguments with business travelers on whose time it really is on a flight:

  1. The company time – no matter what time you’re on a flight (I’ve worked for companies like that and despised it by the way)
  2. The company’s time during normal business hours (and is there such a thing on the road?)
  3. The company and your time as long as you get your work done
  4. YOUR time and only your time unless you choose to use YOUR time for work – after all, business and personal hours are easily blurred on the road

No matter where you stand on the four arguments, the point is you need a plan and I propose…

The Elite Road Warrior Flight Plan which has the following three elements:

  1. What you’re going to do
  2. The order you’re going to do it
  3. Approximate times

The moral of the story here, Road Warriors, is whatever you do, you do on purpose.

If you work, you know…

  1. What you’re going to do
  2. The order you’re going to do it
  3. Approximate times

If it’s a blend (between work and your time), you know…

  1. What you’re going to do
  2. The order you’re going to do it
  3. Approximate times

If it’s only your time…

  1. What you’re going to do
  2. The order you’re going to do it
  3. Approximate times

Why is this so important? Because how we use our time is how we spend our lives, and this includes a flight especially if you fly a ton as I do.

Elite road warriors use their time wisely in their Work, their Health, and their Home Life, the three focus areas.

And it starts with one of my favorite locations to do Focus Work.

  • It’s where the phone doesn’t ring.
  • Someone can’t swing by my office.
  • I can choose to be online or offline.

The following things everyone can do on every single flight no matter if it’s an hour, across the country, or across the ocean.

What changes? The length and frequency.

The longer the flight, the longer each of the following may occur and just how often I choose to do them.

The important point here is what they are.

And remember, our Flight Plan exists of:

  1.  What you’re going to do
  2.  The order you’re going to do it
  3. Approximate times

It’s asking this very critical question:

Where Do I Want This Time to Take Me in the End?

When you land, how did you use your time?

Here are Seven Things I Do On Every Flight

1. Read / Listen

The 1st thing I do every single time is read/listen to a book.

Why first?

Personally, I just can’t get any work done because of all the interruptions of people boarding the plane, getting by me since I prefer the aisle to get up to stand, stretch, and walk.

So, through the years I’ve learned that if I don’t read first thing, I rarely get to it later on, but that’s just me.

I find it also calms my mind and puts me in a place of personal or professional development which is energy habit #5.

Prioritize the important not urgent first.

To be clear, my reading time is boarding time after I find my seat and get situated until once I reach 10K feet. My goal is to have read/listen time.

This part of the flight will always happen: I have to find my seat, everyone else has to find theirs, and they will announce when we hit 10K feet. So, leverage this predictable time to get your read/listen to on.

Challenge: If you’ve not read the Elite Road Warrior book, I challenge you to get it, and dedicate this boarding to 10K time to read the book.

2. Drink Water

Most people avoid water on the plane for a couple of reasons:
1. They say they don’t want to have to get up to go to the bathroom but then will have two cokes or an adult beverage or three.
2. They just don’t drink water normally when they’re on the ground and it’s just not part of their Road Routine.

The reality is you should double your amount of water on the plane. Huh? Why?
When you are on a plane, you’re basically flying in a sky desert, according to Life Hacker, where the humidity hovers around 10- 20%, which is less than the Sahara Desert, crazy enough.
This is due to the plane’s air circulation, or lack thereof.
Compare that to normal humidity, which is between 30-60%, and it’s no wonder you’re more dehydrated on a plane, which is why you often feel a little more fatigued, have headaches, and nausea when flying.
On a plane, if you were to bring a soaking wet washcloth onto the plane, within 90 minutes, it will be completely dry!
According to Dr. Peter Hackett, the director of the Institute for Altitude Medicine, you should drink about 8 ounces of water for every hour you’re in the air. So just plan on drinking twice as much water on a plane when you’re flying.
The last thing I do before boarding the plane is head to the bathroom and try to go (I hear my father say, “Son, just push and try anyway!”), then I fill up my water bottle. It’s the times when I don’t and rely on drink service that we hit turbulence for six hours on a two-hour flight and the flight attendant can’t get up – or can they? Hmm.
And did you know every airline has at least this one thing in common? Free Refills on water.

So, I chug water often and let it do its magic.

Challenge: Drink about 8 ounces of water for every hour you’re in the air.

3. Think Space

What is Think Space? Taking time to think and put your thoughts on paper.

It’s the key element of Process the Thoughts which is the 2nd part of the Invest in You Formula of energy habit 5: Develop.

Why take time for Think Space?

Personally, my brain is always and I mean always going. I need time to get what’s in there, out of there.

I’ve always been good at the 1st part of the Invest in You Formula of Sharpening the Mind by putting things in but not getting things out. Hence the need for Think Space.

What do I use?

The Elite Road Warrior Journal which has two sections: one for Think Space and one for Monitor the Heart (journaling)

How long do I take? Depends on the flight but anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes.

What do I think about?

You name it.

Sometimes it’s just free form. I just open it up and go wherever my mind takes me. And since it’s scary in there, what I think or write about may be all over the place.

But usually 5 minutes or so into Think Space, my mind starts to settle and I think about something specific and process it.

Ideas:

  • Your trip
  • Follow-up
  • Your goals
  • How to connect with family/friends

The point here is leveraging the peace and quiet in the air and creating time to think.

I have a blog post about Think Space along with an entire chapter in the Elite Road Warrior book for more details, examples, etc.

Challenge: plan just 5 minutes to do nothing but think on your next flight and write it down, preferably in the Elite Road Warrior branded journal – just sayin

4. Stand and Stretch

Believe it or not, you’re actually almost completely at the mercy of the seat belt light or everyone else’s sedentary behavior. 30-60 seconds to stand and stretch makes a huge difference every 30 minutes.

Why? Your body gets tight especially the older you are. And your mind gets tired.

I define a break as Move the Body and Rest the Mind. And a break can be a micro-break of 30-60 seconds. Perfect time to stand and stretch.

If you don’t stand and stretch consistently, you’ll be surprised quickly by just how much this one act will do for you on a flight to go back and do whatever you’re doing.

Challenge: commit to take just one stand and stretch break during your next flight

5. Work

This one goes back to the four arguments of whose time is it really on a flight.

If and when I work, I try to leverage this unique time:

  • No phone calls
  • No work chat or texts
  • No stop by your office to chat
  • No WiFi if you want to – if I want to be officially “off the grid”, I can be and ain’t nobody can do anything about it

My guidelines for working on a plane:

  • Have Rules – how long
  • Have a Plan – high leverage tasks
  • Have focus

This can be Deep Work time. If you abide by the guidelines, you can knock out this Time Block of focused, deep work time to make some serious progress.

6. Walk

Every hour or more I get up and am free to move about the cabin as they say.

My water kicks in and it’s go time and I mean literally. It’s a great reminder to stand, stretch, and walk.

I always choose the bathroom in the furthest direction. Why? Get more walking and potentially stand and stretch time if I have to wait.

Again, going back to the definition of a break. Move the Body and Rest the Mind, a walk no matter where you walk is a great catalyst to do both and then come back even more refreshed to get back to the task at hand.

Challenge: commit and take at least one stroll down the aisle during your next flight (if you did #2, drink water, this may just be your trigger reminder)

7. Meditate

Once we’re about to land and the cabin is getting cleaned/ seat trays in their full and upright position, I use this time as a trigger to meditate.

I don’t get down in a lotus position and make a scene to go Zen on everyone. But I do take a few moments to meditate after I put all my gear away.

Why? Get in the right headspace.

I want to get where I’m going prepared, focused, and in the right state of mind.

And this is done by mindfulness.

You can hear more about it on the Elite Road Warrior Podcast episode #27 on why meditation didn’t work for me on the road… (which is a hook title, FYI) so I’m a big believer in the benefits of taking time on a flight to meditate and get my head in the right place.

Because, at least for me, once that plane lands and I stand, it’s go time. To work or head home. Either way, I want to be mindful.

Challenge: take just one minute to try and meditate once your flight begins to descend to become mindful of what’s next after the flight

Honorable Mentions – let me give you three

  1. Watch Something

The default and in the top two tasks most do on a plane.

If and when I watch something, this is my time to binge-watch something. Breaking Bad was my show and now it’s Bosch from Amazon Prime.

Sometimes, especially on a late flight on the way home, it’s nice to zone out to a show or a movie.

There’s nothing wrong with it but to me, it’s a reward once I get my Flight Plan high leveraged tasks complete.

2.   Talk To Your Neighbor

The irony here is one of the unwritten rules of a business traveler on a flight is applying the DND international symbol – putting on the Do Not Disturb headphones then not making contact.

But sometimes it’s nice to talk to someone – you never know where it could lead. My last keynote came from someone I sat next to on a flight!

3.     Develop

Learn something beyond a book/audiobook.

Lastly, I want to prove to you the power of a Flight Plan in action with focused work.

The Elite Road Warrior book was written over a nine-month period of time by committing to this very plan of the seven things I do on every flight. I prepared myself by reading, drinking water, and standing/stretching/walking to stay sharp to write flight after flight after flight.

This can be done Road Warriors and if you’ve read or listened to my book, you’ve benefited from it too!

So, wherever you are on the road, do something, anything, just not nothing to master the business travel life.

Go and get your Flight Plan on today.

You Got This!

References

7 Early Warning Signs for Companies to Avoid Business Travel Burnout:

 Top Ten Business Travel Hacks Guide:

 

Seven Mistakes New Business Travelers Do Wrong and How to Avoid Them

Becoming a new business traveler is exciting. It’s like finally getting your license and starting your car up by yourself and going for a drive all by yourself for the first time. #NewfoundFreedom

But business travel has these secret handshakes that seemingly everyone else knows but nobody chose to show you as the new guy or new girl on the road.

As a result, so many business travelers make certain mistakes over and over that can and should be avoided. If only someone cared enough to pull the road warrior rookie aside to show these needed and simple handshake moves. And that’s the exact reason for this article.

I’m here to “help a brotha and a sista out” and give you that chance to succeed quicker and more effectively.

There’s nothing wrong with being a Rookie Road Warrior; we all started there at some point. So, let’s get the rookie green color off right now and get you up to speed.

Seven Mistakes New Business Travelers Do Wrong and How to Avoid Them

Mistake #1 – Not signing up for TSA PreCheck

Before you even step foot in an airport, the first thing you should do is get your TSA PreCheck knocked out and ready.

Why? Time. Unless you prefer to wait with “the commoners” who travel once a year for vacation or an occasional trip, you want to be in the TSA PreCheck lane.

Personally, I’m not a fan of the following:

  • Whipping my belt off feeling like I’m undressing in public
  • Walking on dirty floors with my socks
  • Having to pull my electronics out of my bag

With TSA PreCheck none of the above will apply to you.
It also reduces traveler friction which is anything that causes added stress within a business travel day whether self-induced or part of the joy of business travel.

I remember one time hitting unexpected traffic to the airport and was in the busyness vortex of hurry/worry/scurry. I walked into the airport in San Diego and the normal security line looked like the line for a new Disneyland ride.

If I had to stand in that line, I was sunk. But I walked right up to TSA and was at my gate ten minutes later. Whew! After a long week of travel, I just wanted to get home.

These situations happen often and TSA PreCheck will save you over and over.
You can learn about TSA Precheck here

Quick Tip: If you travel across the US borders, (north eh to Oh Canada or south, no Espanol to Mexico) consider Global Entry. You can look into that here.

Mistake #2 – Not getting your passport now

You may be getting or currently have a region for your role at the moment, so why even bother right now with getting a passport? Here are a few reasons:

1. You never know when you may be asked to cross the border or the water

Early on, I had landed a good size contract and was asked if I could do Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver in two weeks. If I didn’t have my passport, I would’ve missed this great opportunity (along with three hockey games!). But I was given the advice to get my passport right away and all was good.

2. It’s another valid proof of identification

One time I had misplaced my wallet and I was having a road warrior freakout session (C’mon now, you know you’ve had your fair share too!) and I was getting my money’s worth out of the session. I hadn’t gone through security yet and was short on time due to Chicago traffic on my way to the airport. I calmed down instantly when I remembered one thing: I had my passport with me. I breezed through security (TSA PreCheck avoiding mistake #1), went to my gate, and realized I did have it in my bag after all.

Moral of the story: it’s better to have it and not need it than wish you had it and don’t.

Get your passport process going right now so you have it when you really need it.

Quick Tip: Don’t leave your passport at home but always carry it with you in case you need it for another proof of identification.

Mistake #3 – Not using a packing list

When you first start traveling, it’s a challenge to know what you even need to bring let alone forget items that you know you’ll need. It’s guesswork at best.

Early on, I would forget random things: a belt, workout socks, a phone or computer charger, hair gel, and on and on and on.
It was frustrating, inconvenient, and to be honest, avoidable. Once I started working off a packing list, my packing went quicker and my forgetfulness nearly disappeared. My only regret was not using this simple tool sooner.

I used the following categories:

  • Toiletries
  • Dress wear
  • Casual wear (which included workout clothes)
  • Workbag (computer to chargers)
  • Unique for this trip – am I going to a special dinner? The beach?

Then I put in details of what would fit under each of these categories.
Lastly, I asked “Is this item absolutely necessary?” to make sure everything could fit in my carry-on.

Quick Tip: have duplicates of as many items as possible that can stay in your carry-on bag. It was worth the investment and shrunk my packing list to more specialty items depending on my location.

Mistake #4- Checking a bag

This mistake applies to the hoarder whether male or female. If you’re nervous you’re going to not have enough with you, then this mistake applies to you.

I’ve also witnessed this firsthand traveling with a newer female business traveler who has to have numerous outfits and every pair of shoes. I get it but I don’t want to travel with you and wait with you for your bag that looks like you’re on vacation.

Checking a bag is one more way for something to go wrong. The times I check my bag, Murphy’s brother, Mark, is doing bag handling and Murphy was messing with Mark and letting him know I was going to Omaha, not Atlanta.

This is definitely a rookie mistake and sucks up valuable time and leaves you open to travel friction.

Now, there are times when I’ve been gone on a long trip overseas or that last 5 or more days. Then yes, checking a bag makes sense. But this is the exception, not the rule.

Pony up and find carry-on luggage that can work for you that is made for a business traveler.

Personally, I’m using the Genius Pack G4 22″ Carry On Spinner Luggage

Quick Tip: Use packing cubes to maximize space. You’d be surprised how much you can get in a carry-on bag if you pack properly. Here are the ones I use.

Mistake #5 – Drinking too much at business events

I see this guy way too often at business social events or at a customer dinner.  And most of the time, he’s young and green (aka a new business traveler).

He’s not used to good wine or top-shelf liquor and especially anything that is free and seemingly unlimited. As a result, he becomes “that guy”.

It also happens to someone who wants to fit in and “drink with the big boys” when this always ends poorly. I’ve seen this with women business travelers and it’s a brutal next morning.

A few years ago, Ted tried to keep up with the big boys and was a lightweight drinker at best. After two shots, he became the life of the party or should I say the death of the party, and had to be driven back to his hotel early and get his car the next day. He’s now known as “two-shot Teddy” and his legacy lives on.

Quick Tip: Stick with the advice given to me by a CEO very early on in my road warrior career: “Always drink one drink less than your customer and one more glass of water. Be memorable without becoming ’that guy’ at the event.” If you feel the alcohol catching up with you, have your next drink be water or a non-alcoholic drink that looks like a drink. No one will notice and honestly, no one really cares.

Mistake #6 – Working all the time on a business trip

This mistake is understandable and seems to yield immediate results so it’s encouraged and even rewarded.

You may feel you have to work all the time on the road just to keep up. Or when you’re new to the road, you want to prove to your boss you can handle it.

Your company may subtly influence you to work all the time because they own your time on the road.

You find yourself working on an early flight out of town and the last flight home.  If you work for this type of company, they care more about your results than they care about you.

I can guarantee one end result every single time if you fall prey to this mistake: BURNOUT.

Your results will end up inconsistent because you’ll move quickly through the Exhaustion Cycle:

Busy = Can’t Stop Now and I feel hurried
Beatdown = Can’t Take This and I feel stress
Burnout = Can’t Keep Going and I feel done

You can learn more about the Exhaustion Cycle in the article “Why you may be living in the Exhaustion Cycle.”

Your evenings should be your choice of what to do. This was my #1 mistake and burned me out to the point of complete exhaustion and shut me down for far too long.

Quick Tip: Have a hard stop of when you will start work and when you will end work and you’ll be surprised how much you get done within these time restraints. I reserve the 1st two hours of my morning to focus on 5 of the 6 energy habits to allow me to do the last remaining energy habit of PERFORM at the highest level and you can too.

Mistake #7 – Not maximizing your destination

I was flying from Chicago to San Antonio and an older, seasoned road warrior started asking me questions about how I travel. I have to admit as a rookie road warrior, I was trying to impress him. Guess how that went? I told him about how I lived in the travel triangle: airport/boardroom/hotel. I bragged how I worked through dinner and stayed up late. “This is my time to work without interruptions,” I bragged.

When I took a breath (which was somewhere between St. Louis and the Texas border), he said very calmly but clearly: “Son, let me give you a piece of advice. Stop doing travel that way. You never know when you’re going to be in that city again, or even on the road on business travel for that matter, so take time for downtime.”

He told me to see the River Walk in San Antonio. Eat the local foods in the area, see the site-seeing locations, and soak it in. He ended by saying I would be more productive in the long run and it would make my travel so much more enjoyable. I politely said thanks and licked my wounds for the remainder of my flight, thinking about this unusual but enlightening conversation for me.

Guess what I did? I went to the River Walk in San Antonio and I walked by the Alamo (so I could remember it). As a result of the unexpected, influential conversation, I’ve continued his counsel for years and years, in city after city (and I have the pictures to prove it!).

In Elite Road Warrior, we call this “Downtime – time to be, not to be on.” Too often we live in the Travel Triangle = Airport / Conference Room / Hotel Room. Every city looks the same because we don’t see anything.

Make time to maximize your destination and get out of the Travel Triangle and leverage some much-needed downtime.

Quick Tip: Do some research and find something in that city you can look forward to doing (site-seeing, going to a ballgame or museum, dining at a popular local restaurant).

I want to give credit to Jet Set Genius Podcast and an ace of a friend, Brad Kammlah, for inspiring many of these notes on road warrior mistakes.

The goal here is to help young or just new business travelers to avoid mistakes that cost you time, energy, and possibly even your reputation early on and if adhered to, will put you on the path of becoming an elite road warrior.

Resources

7 Early Warning Signs for Companies to Avoid Business Travel Burnout

Top Ten Business Travel Hacks Guide