Business travel is one of those necessities, especially when you own your own business. You may find that you are traveling quite often and, unfortunately, have a lot of free time on your hands in the evenings or during a weekend overstay. For many business travelers, it’s simply not possible to bring families along. As such, the tolls of traveling can wear you down. It is not uncommon to get lonely when you are away for even short periods of time.
There are ways you can combat this loneliness when traveling on business. Some of them may lead you to discover new friends or learn a little bit more about the culture where you are visiting.
1. Use Video Conferencing to Keep in Touch
Most business travelers carry a laptop with them. It is their lifeblood back to the business.
One easy way to keep in touch with family and friends while on the road is to use the webcam on your laptop or tablet so you can video conference with them to catch up on life back home and share with them some of your traveling stories. There is something special about not only being able to hear the voices of the people on the other end of the phone, but also to see them as well. In a sense it gives the feeling that they are just in the next room or right there beside you.
Most devices these days have built-in cameras. But if yours doesn’t, add a webcam. Webcams can be had for under $100 and all the popular instant messaging programs and Skype support them.
Another benefit to videoconferencing is that you can hold meetings with people back in the office should the need arise. Again, there is something about putting a face to a conversation that makes it stick!
2. Experience Life — Wherever You Are
Don’t put your life on hold simply because you’re not on your home turf. If you find you are going to be in an area for a while, take the opportunity to learn more about the culture and local activities. Often business hotels are filled with people just like you — sitting around in the evenings with very little to do. Strike up a conversation with someone and ask the concierge about local attractions that might interest you or a group of people.
Many business hotels nowadays are arranging social events in the evenings, such as group outings to a local ballpark or museum. They are not only wonderful ways to get out and enjoy some of the culture of the area, but they can also be a great chance to network with others. You never know who you will run into.
Case in point: it is a well known fact that Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are both avid card players and participate frequently in both local tournaments and online games. Just imagine being able to talk to one of those guys in a relaxed atmosphere!
3. Perform Some Due Diligence
When in Rome … check out the competition! Use the time you spend somewhere to visit businesses similar to yours when the opportunity arises. It is a great way to get a feel for the competition or to see what trends are happening in your business segment that you might not be aware of. Pick up the phone book in your hotel room and “let your fingers do the walking” as you find what types of businesses similar to yours are in the local area.
4. Be of Service to Your Customers and in Touch with Your Industry
Traveling is also a great opportunity to pay courtesy calls to customers who may live in the area, or to pay a visit to a company that you do business with. Many times, depending on the type of service or product your business provides, customers can be thrilled to get a personal “house call.” Be sure to arrange these types of visits well in advance so you can plan out your time.
The same goes for visiting other businesses you work with or buy items from. You can often build up a personal relationship with them by paying a call when you are in the area. That can likewise pay great dividends down the road in the form of discounts, special offers and customer referrals.
5. Engage in Personal Development
Take some time out for your personal growth and to nurture your creativity. Use your down time when traveling to build your personal and life skills. It may be a great time to take along those DVDs you bought of a personal development seminar, or to finish reading a book you’ve put off for so long. Take that telecourse or download some audio podcasts to your mp3 player. There may even be local events you can attend that focus on a particular topic you are interested in.
Use the power of networking and the Internet to do your research beforehand. You will find that more often than not in larger cities you can fill your free time up nicely and help advance your life and your business at the same time!
Business travel doesn’t have to be a lonely time. Spend your time wisely. Plan ahead and make some time for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.
How have you found ways to rid yourself of isolation while away from home?
Loneliness Photo via Shutterstock
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About the Author: Husband, Father, Friend, Lifestyle Coach, Author, Educator, and Entrepreneur, David B. Bohl is the creator of Slow Down FAST. For more information go to Slow Down Fast.
Solo Business Marketing
For me, there’s never enough time to do all that I want to accomplish while traveling.
Before leaving the office, I plan where I’ll visit during my down time by visiting the area’s travel and tourism sites. When I arrive, I can always find those so-called “throw away” papers on countertops and newsstands, which are filled with events and activities.
My camera’s always by my side so I can capture marketing ideas to share with clients and my blog readers.
With all of that, I believe that loneliness is a feeling I don’t experience because of my marital status. At the end there’s someone waiting for me at home. A traveler who happens to be single may feel much differently about life as she moves between states and countries.
Shannon
Great suggestions! I used to travel extensively for work and checking out the area was one of the things I did to not feel isolated – visit parks, malls, museums, and neighborhoods. You never know where you may end up living in the future or you may find a terrific vacation location for the family!
Amanda
Although I do not travel with my business, these sound like some really good tips. I agree with “Solo” that it probably really helps to have someone to share your experiences with when you get home.
EJMalyn
Enjoying that personal time for yourself makes that business time more enjoyable and less stressful.
Patrick Badstibner
This is a very good post, I would enhance number five, though.
As a business coach I am utterly amazed at the amount of small business owners who do not do this. Whether they travel or not, the biggest investment a small business person can make is an investment in himself. This comes through the age old habit of studying and acquring knowledge.
Though perhaps the reason why most don’t lies somewhere in the understanding of the “secret”. Which I know I am still trying to find the truth in.
Pat
Martin Lindeskog
David B. Bohl: Do you travel a lot? Do you know the average times “on the road” for executives and other business people?
Ruby
I’d have to agree with Shanon in that visiting the local area would make you feel more “at home” in your new location. And number 5 is important. You can really make use of the solo time by working on “self.” I like to research the area first, pick a neat attraction to go visit, and then have that little special excursion to look forward to.
Shama Hyder
Here are my tips!
1) Make a local friend. With resources like Facebook and Twitter, this is easy to do! Find someone in a new city before you go there.
2) Keep a journal. This will pay off 10-fold.
3) If you have a blog, keep writing! Don’t break routine. Share your travel experiences with your readers. This will make it feel more like “home.”
Shama Hyder:
I agree with your points.
1) Find a MeetUp meeting. In the future, check out the local Blue Chip Café & Business Center!
2) Write a travel journal and post parts of it online, e.g. on VirtualTourist.
3) Invite guest bloggers. See my example from Hungary: http://egoist.blogspot.com/2005/08/midweek-sampler-guest-bloggers.html
All the Best,
Martin Lindeskog – American in Spirit
Gothenburg, Sweden.
P.S. I have ordered your free ebook on marketing.
David – Twitter is a great way to keep in touch with friends and join in on a group conversation. There’s always someone around who is twitting something interesting or can give you ideas of what to do in a new city.
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