There’s no such thing as a “normal job,” although many of us know what we mean by that concept. For example, even a “traditional workplace” with a relatively normal role, perhaps an HR manager in an office building, could work for anything as diverse and interesting as a weapons museum up to NASA.
That’s why it’s important to never turn your nose up at opportunity; you never know what could be around the next corner. If you’re about to join a workplace in which you have to travel often to commit to your job, you may feel a little disoriented to begin with.
Taking several flights a month, staying in different accommodations each week, and meeting people of different cultures can be an absolute luxury and privilege, but it can also be taxing and require diligent planning with your family.
Like any professional effort, it’s good to look to figures that inspire you, be that your manager or boss, someone you’ve worked with, or Jonathan Martin NFL and his insights into the most competitive markets. Once you have the passion and insight to make a success of this goal, how should you acclimate to the new experience of traveling regularly for work?
In this post, we’ll discuss that and more:
Get Used To Efficient Packaging
It’s safe to say that packing often for travel can be a drag. There’s no way around this requirement, however, unless you plan to buy new workwear in every city you visit.
It can be helpful to use easily vacuum-sealed bags to help seal certain clothes from place to place, to learn how to fold correctly, and also to split your duffle bag and main suitcase out so you can more easily wear what you need to the first day, and worry about unpacking or repacking when you settle in.
In some cases, suitcases with easier carry-compartments can give you the space needed to switch out categories of clothing, so your workwear is never tainted by a water bottle that accidentally leaked. You’ll develop your system over time, but planning can be healthy, too.
Create A Portable Workspace
Travel is fun of course, but ultimately you’re there to work. This is why it’s good to invest in a laptop or laptop stand that can be used anywhere. Fold-outs, notebooks, tablets, whatever you prefer, it’s important to have the peripherals to hand to help you.
A roll-up keyboard, for example, can easily plug into a tablet and allow you to work on documents without necessarily carrying a heavier rucksack around with you wherever you go.
You might even invest in excellent Bluetooth speakers with good microphones so you can take calls on the go. All of this helps you travel without the constant administrative drone of setting up tech devices here there and everywhere.
Receipt & Expense Management
One of the benefits of traveling for your workplace is the ability to expense payments correctly. This might be limited, of course, a company might not pay all of your food bills, but transportation, flights, and everything that matters could be included.
This is where getting very good at keeping and tracking receipts comes into play, otherwise, you will rarely be reimbursed if you can’t prove what you’ve expended.
Using an app for taking pictures and documenting receipts can be ideal, as can purchasing a wallet or purse with a section where you can organize receipts by date. This way, when you return to the office, they have no choice but to reimburse you for the valid purchases you made.
Of course, don’t be afraid to stretch your allowance a little, this is the perk of representing a brand, and you deserve to enjoy it.
Prioritize Self-Care While Traveling
Travel can be taxing even for those who have willingly paid for the experience, heading to different timezones and locations for work, perhaps continually, can be draining. That’s why it’s good to practice self-care.
Curating an exercise regimen you can easily do in your hotel room, committing to yoga poses, eating well, staying away from alcohol as much as you can, getting fresh air, and using facilities like the hotel spa can be very healthy, and keep you in a good routine.
As much as you can, it’s important to catch up on your sleep. That’s not easy if you’re moving between time zones, but without good rest, you might find yourself fraying at the edges. Memory and focus can be affected when you’re lacking sleep, and that in itself can cause you difficulties trying to do your job.
At the very least, make any difficulties or health challenges you’re facing clear, because you may get a day here or there to relax. With good travel insurance, you can always head to a local doctor for a checkup.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily acclimate, even to intensive jobs requiring constant travel.
