For many businesses, traveling solo on business is simply unavoidable due to the relationships that are forged, and the ability to have face time with colleagues, associates, and clients on the ground. While technology has come a long way and we can now talk with people around the world without ever leaving the office, it’s unlikely that business travel will ever be replaced completely with video conferencing.
But traveling solo on business can be a lonely experience. During the day you’ll probably find yourself busy in meetings, but as the day comes to close you may find yourself alone in your hotel room and missing your family.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make the time fly, and you’ll be back with your loved ones before you know it:
Dine Out
It can be tempting to order room service and watch bad tv, but this is likely to make the time go even slower and increase your loneliness. Before you leave, choose a restaurant or two that has excellent ratings and enjoy some fine dining. If you’re not the type of person who likes to dine alone, choose a venue which has live music, sit at the bar so you can talk to other solo diners and bartenders, or arrange to have dinner with a client or colleague.
Explore the city
Sightseeing alone may not sound like fun, and if you’re sure you won’t enjoy time by yourself consider joining a group tour. If you arrive early in the morning and don’t have meetings until the next day, getting out and exploring the city in the afternoon can stave off jetlag and give you a chance to enjoy your time away. There are usually plenty of local attractions that you can visit after 5pm so you won’t have to go back to your hotel room after work.
Stay Fit
Working out can help you with jetlag and will keep you in shape while you’re traveling. Scope out the gym in your hotel before you arrive and be sure to bring sneakers and gym clothes. You can even join a gym which has multiple locations so you can use that membership and keep your workout routine. Another great option is to go for a walk or run early in the morning so you can get those endorphins flowing and get an idea of where everything is in the city.
Meet New People
Every city has at least a few events happening on any day of the week, so make an effort to meet new people and see what’s going on. Check couchsurfing.com and meetup.com and you’ll be able to meet both locals and other visitors to the city while experiencing something different while you’re away from home.
It’s natural to want to spend some time unwinding and relaxing alone after a long day of meetings, but this can actually be more draining after a day or two of traveling alone. If you take the time to explore local attractions, events, and restaurants you’ll find that your business trips will be more productive and enjoyable than ever before.
