In the world of business, the only way to keep up with the Joneses is to up your game by continuing to improve your skills. Another constant in the world of business is the constant need to be flexible. That means being flexible with your time, your family life, and the amount of traveling that is required of you.
So, how’s a budding businessman or woman supposed to keep up with the evolving demands of the career? Below are three ways that you can utilize that downtime in the hotel room or hanging out at the airport during a layover to bring your business ingenuity up to par and keep it there.
Brush Up on the Basics
You are on the road again. This time, you are headed to conduct the meetings with other companies that may set your business on a collision course with success. Before you get started, you notice you have a few hours to kill. Some dedicated business people will use this time wisely to prepare. One way of doing this is by listening to some inspirational business podcasts to ensure you’re in the right frame of mind for a meeting. People can always visit a website like Likewise (check this out here) for podcast recommendations. That should help business people to find the best ones for them.
Instead of wasting this time sleeping or knocking around a town you’re not familiar with anyway, why not take the time to brush on some basics? If you are a CPA in training and you know your test is just around the corner, take this opportunity to review for your assessment. Have you been with the company awhile?
Read up on what the newest business trends are. There may be something your company could take advantage of. Maybe you just need to clear up some discrepancies in your etiquette with other corporations. As they say. . . there’s an app for that.
Stress Management
One of the biggest demons of any high-end business job is the stress it involves. Merciless deadlines and bosses, tactless co-workers, pressure to “close the deal,” and the lack of time for family, friends, and relaxation can severely drain you and damage your ability to do your job well.
This is the one time we will tell you that it is ok to sleep while on the job. While you are enjoying a trip at your company’s expense, take that leisure time to catch a nap or allow your brain to vegetate while watching your favorite television show.
You could take a trip to the local comedy club or enjoy a fine dinner. Whatever you choose, it’s important to find time to destress. Doing so will improve your creativity and motivate you to perform at your best.
Improve Time Management
“There’s just not enough hours in the day,” is a common saying among business men and women, alike. No matter how much we do, say, or plan, there never seems to be enough time to get it all done and that’s just the business end of it.
Often, we lack the much-needed time with our families, the opportunity to hang out with close friends, and the option to partake in some necessary alone time. While you are waiting on that connecting flight to board, grab a pen and paper and write down all the things you feel you need time for in a 24-hour period.
Then, much like you would budget your money, prioritize how you spend your time and allot a set amount of time to each event. Make sure to give those things which are most important, such as family and that alone time, the most attention. If these are not well taken care of first, everything else will suffer.
Who says the only thing you can accomplish on a business trip is a good merger?! Use these tips for building the best business skills you can and keeping up with the changing trends.