BUSINESS TRAVELING, ¿BLESSING OR CURSE?

Business Traveling, ¿Blessing or curse?

By William Gaber

When visitng an airport I used to observe busy executive travelers always on a hurry, well dressed, walking or rather running with a look of certainty on their faces, to me,  an  intimidating and attractive group that would hop on a plane and start working on their laptops (80´s version) and close them with the landing notice. I was just out of my MBA and they seemed like the definition of success, there for  I started looking for a job that required traveling basically so I could be part of this “executive traveling world”. Beware what you wish for it might come true!

A few months later I was the regional manager for a temporal services personnel company with 11 branches in 10 different states all over Mexico, traveling was definitely part of my job description. I felt I was incredibly lucky and learnt a lot of practical things about traveling while I did so to 3 different cities in one week, living out of a suitcase.

In my current activity I travel a lot less and I am deeply thankful for it! some years alter my MBA (not many) I have learn the joy of traveling for pleasure and unveil the secrets of a happy executive traveler these are some tips from my own “meandering experience”:

Relationships are like plants, water them! Frequent flyers tend to spend less time with their love ones, use your “on air time” to focus on the job, and get back to Herat when you done. Do not neglect your personal relationships; technology helps nowadays can help a lot, use it.

I am without a doubt a great eater, frequent flying allows you one of the easiest pleasures in life: eat. Beware eating every novelty in every place you travel to is not only bad for your looks; it can also be dangerous to you health. Eating disorders and lack of exercise are common problems in frequent flyers. Eating healthy and exercising guarantees high energy levels, concentration and a good health.

There is no place like home, how ever being away from home doesn’t mean you have to be restless or suffer sleep depravation, make sure to always get a good rest, taking care of your self means taking care of business, is the difference between closing or not a deal. Your productivity is directly related to your sleep hours.

Business traveling gives your the opportunity to meet new places, people and cultures, establishing new relationships for the future, learning new ways to expand and do business.

Particularly I have come to terms with airplanes, being ON AIR is a blessing, a magnificent and quiet space where there is no phone ringing and I can seat back read, write and relax in my small space in time away from “Earthly” pressure.

One of my favorite benefits (since, like many, I rather travel for pleasure) are by far the many frequent flyer programs and benefits offered by airlines, car rentals and hotels all over the World. Accumulated miles come in handy for family vacations, all you have to do is make sure you keep your health, your job and your family.