It’s going to be a fairly big travel week so I will likely not hit the usual number of posts (although I’ll try). Travel is one of those events that demands long days to maximize the use of travel. It’s not unusual to have an 18 hour day when travelling –
- Work on the plane during after (or before) hours travel to prep for the trip.
- Wake-up and respond to emails and early phone calls.
- Prep for the day’s meetings and events with the team.
- Start meetings or on-site work.
- Working lunch.
- Continue.
- Working dinner.
- After dinner respond to emails and return missed messages.
- Finish up any work that is due out for the next day (new agendas, presentations, etc)
- Sleep.
It’s important to include networking in each aspect because when you travel you meet people that you don’t get to talk to face-to-face very often. That face-to-face time may be more critical than all the rest put together. Even when you aren’t talking about work, you’re growing relationships and getting to know those you may be working with longer term.
Balance is then remembering after a 90 hour week to take time for yourself. Not everyday has to start at 7 or end at 7. Sometimes productivity requires a random day off (or even just an afternoon away from work). You should not only expect this from yourself but also those that you work with or work for you. It’s good to encourage above-and-beyond work but that also means encouraging a return to balance.