How to Make Your Next Business Trip Hassle-Free

The word “consultant” is synonymous with travel these days. No matter the industry in which you provide services—if you consult for a living, then you can expect to spend plenty of time away from home.

While travel comes with its share of benefits and perks, frequent business trips can leave even the most dedicated jet-setter feeling frazzled. Work-life balance is difficult to achieve even from familiar surroundings, so when you’re always on the go, you need some reliable strategies to help keep you centered.

Here are three tips on how to stay balanced when you are a traveling consultant:

Choose your “home base” wisely

Consultants top the charts when it comes to needs for frequent short-term stays. As a businessperson on the road, whether you’re visiting a client or working out of a satellite office, the success of your trip hinges largely on your accommodations. Trying to work from cramped quarters without vital services in limited settings can leave you tired and frustrated before the day even starts. Short-term furnished apartments can offer traveling consultants ideal flexible alternatives to suit their needs and budgets. Whether you’re traveling to New York, Boston, or around the globe, a serviced apartment comes with amenities that will make you feel at home, from fully equipped kitchens and baths, to free high-speed Internet, to perks like car service for business travelers—not to mention close proximity to business meeting centers, health clubs, and public transportation.

Take small breaks—frequently

Consulting is known for its “work hard, play hard” mentality. Such intensity often carries over to the travel part of the job, with client meetings, working meals, and professional events booked from morning until night. On days when taking an hour or even 30 minutes to regroup seems impossible, look for opportunities to sneak in a little downtime. Walking to your next appointment, ducking into a cafe for a breather, or reading for pleasure on the train can all provide 5 to 10 minutes off-schedule, which can improve your energy levels and help restore a sense of balance throughout the day.

Prioritize motion

Frequent business travel often means plenty of sitting, whether in cabs, airplane cabins, or conference rooms. You need to get your heart pumping and your blood flowing for optimum physical and mental health, and to stay at the top of your game during difficult negotiations. If you find yourself chair-bound for longer than 60 minutes, make a point of moving your body, no matter how limited your options may be in that moment. If you have a long car ride, pull over to stretch and walk. In meetings that drag on, stand up at the table to stretch your legs, or reach your arms above your head and out to the side. When traveling by plane or train, get up and stroll the aisle. At the end of a cross-country journey, visit the gym for a short workout before retiring rather than flopping into bed to watch TV. While it may not seem like much, something is always better than nothing when it comes to physical activity.

Learn how Furnished Quarters can help plan your next business trip

Whether you are an occasional or frequent consultant traveling for business Furnished Quarters can help you plan your accommodations during your next trip. Learn more about our corporate housing and serviced apartment options and speak with us about short-term apartments tailored to the consulting industry; call us at 800-255-8117!