How to Maximize Productivity During Summer Business Travel

Ahh, summertime. It really can be a double-edged sword. For business travelers used to living in multi-season climates, the warmth of the summer sun is a breath of fresh air that makes business travel a bit more pleasurable. For those who are used to warmer climates, the dog days of summer can really make it hard to work. No matter how you slice it, the summer productivity slump is real. At a time when it’s so easy to let your mind wander and get off-task, it is important to remember some key tips to maximizing productivity so you can still get some work done while enjoying the nice weather. Keep reading to learn how you can stay on-task during your next corporate travel trip. 

Schedule Down Time. It may seem counterintuitive, but scheduling downtime can serve as a reward that will help you focus and complete your tasks more efficiently. If you’re at a business conference but have to get some work done after your sessions, set aside time to complete that work — and plan a reward for completing it. Whether it’s dining alfresco or going for a morning walk to explore the sunshine and sights before temps start to climb, scheduling a reward can be a good incentive to get things done in a specific timeframe while travelling for work. 

Stay Busy. Things in motion tend to stay in motion, and that applies to work on business trips as well. While having some free time is great for relaxing, it can easily send you into vacation-mode when you have work to do. Plan your day so that you’ve got work that can easily be completed. It will keep you productive and make you feel more accomplished, too, which makes your scheduled down time that much sweeter. 

Communicate. Staying in the loop with your coworkers and managers in the office can help you stay grounded during summer business travel. Talk to your manager about what your expectations are during your business trip so that you know exactly what work needs to be completed and when. This can help you stay productive without the stress of thinking you have more or less than what actually needs to be completed.

Prioritize. If there are tasks that you dread doing, the summer heat can turn that molehill into a mountain. Knock out the least desirable tasks first and then progress into more enjoyable work. Not only will this allow you to quickly move on to other tasks, but you will ensure that you aren’t forever procrastinating getting that job done, especially when time is limited on corporate travel trips. At the end of the day, you will end up (hopefully) with more accomplished than if you would have otherwise.

Use a Travel Management Company. Seriously, having someone else take the time to book the most efficient travel can mean the difference between rushing from meeting to meeting and having some time to breathe in between. Travel management companies are experts at finding the best flights and accommodations at the best prices, saving you the work of having to book that on top of getting your daily activities completed. If your company isn’t currently using a travel management company, talk to your manager to see if it is something that can be worked into the budget. 

Hopefully, these tips will help you fight the summer slump and be more productive during your next business travel excursion! Have some tips that we might have missed? Let us and other business travelers know in the comments!

Written by: Stephanie I.