Speaking of Jack Kerouac, according to Alan Bisbort in Beatniks: a guide to an American subculture, Kerouac himself, in his signature generation defining work On the Road promoted the idea of what it means to be part of the ‘beat generation’ as having an indigenous sense of ‘beatific’ or bliss. Cross this with the literal sense of “tired and beaten down” and this becomes a mantra of ironic proportions for many professionals traveling the world on business.
The once-removed perception by infrequent travelers is sometimes that of bliss towards the glamorous world of 100% travel, however, this is not necessarily the reality for this elite class of weary business travelers. But there is wisdom to be gained through the process of living your life at the mercy of your checked baggage.
- Get enough sleep: Ear plugs, not the fancy noise blocker ones, I’m talking the little squishy ones you can pull from your pocket in a NY minute. Book a window seat, order a drink with no ice so you can down it, crush the cup, stick it in the seat back pocket and go back to sleep. Also, don’t stay up all night in your hotel room, turn off your computer and go to sleep.
- Connect with others: Talk to strangers, even the interesting characters if safety is not an issue. But be cautious while on an airplane unless you have started decent to your destination airport already, lest you get into an awkward situation with a seat mate who won’t shut up. But also don’t shy away from an engaging conversation with a kindred spirit which will be immediately identifiable.
- Know when to relax: You don’t always need to pack every little thing, that’s what retail stores are for, don’t sweat it.
- Master your martyrdom: Flying in on a Sunday evening usually gets you the best rental car selection, if it’s a holiday week, even better! If you have to fly home on a Friday, never schedule for the last flight of the evening.
- Maintain control: Getting drunk and loud on airplanes and airport bars is for amateurs, not professionals. Be ‘on-your-game’ when appropriate, but it’s also important to know when you are on ‘your-time’.
- Keep a sense of personal security: Don’t blurt out every little detail of your itinerary to some stranger, especially true for women. Make up something if you have to in order to get out of an awkward situation.
- Be safe: If you drive a manual transmission while at home, remember when driving a rental car with an automatic transmission, the brake pedal is not the clutch.
- Find ritual: Find peace in something that may be annoying to others. For example, I always watch the safety demonstration and thank the pilot upon leaving the plane.
- Know your surroundings: Make note of gas stations near the airport, key landmarks. Get the rental car map, take the 90 seconds to identify major highways, figure out which way is north and remember it’s really difficult to read maps while driving in the dark.
- Have patience: Not many people can divest at the speed and efficiency that you can in the airport security line.
- Don’t forget who you are: You don’t always have to wear your ‘uniform’ to the airport: t-shirt, shorts and flip flops work too, besides it’s easier to get thru security that way.
- Indulge your sense of humor: Attempting to book the Concorde for a cross country business trip (a $4,995 flight in 1999) might be an example.
- Keep it simple: Check your luggage, waiting to get your baggage is forced time by yourself and for yourself with your thoughts. Carry a small flexible bag/duffle in case you need to take extra weight out of your checked bag.
- Blind trust is necessary at times: The airline will typically track and deliver your luggage to the correct country and state and city and airport and baggage carrousel—except when they don’t.
- To adventure is to be human: Print out directions to your destination beforehand. Skip the GPS, the old fashioned way is much more fun! But have a few go-to cubical bound people/friends/spouse/assistant with internet and a phone call away for back-up. This is exceptionally fun in a foreign country.
- Always be prepared: Extra Ear Plugs. Empty water bottle to bring through security. Extra phone charger because you will leave one in your hotel by accident. Ibuprophen, Excedrin, Rolaids. A three outlet adapter plug – no more wandering looking for an open outlet because you brought your own.
This will eventually best levitra price lead to erectile dysfunction that takes away the power of penetrative sex. generic viagra cheap Visit an experienced doctor today who’ also an expert in treating sexual dysfunctions in both men and women. Men who are unable to afford expensive cialis samples drugs need not lose heart as they still can find alternate options to overcome your premature ejaculation problem. Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor and works by preventing the action of a chemical in the body called phosphodiesterase type 5.The dose should be taken at least 30 minutes before sexual activity. cost low viagra
And most importantly:
Cultivate and nurture your comfort zone: Do what you need to do to be comfortable. If you are starving and really want the $13 yogurt parfait, buy it. Airport chair massages can really make a difference. Just because you are on the road does not mean you are not a real person living your life, it just means you have to be creative in fitting your personal life and commitments within your work schedule. Excuse yourself from meetings to take calls from your spouse, partner, son or daughter, nobody will ever know.
Years of successful adaptation in unfamiliar surroundings and their corresponding planes trains and automobiles can surreptitiously hard wire one’s urban survival skills. But maintaining perspective throughout the seemingly endless travel is important. For on the road, the beaten down path of business travel, if you stay connected to your home environment, and yourself, at the same level as you do your work commitments, you just may find your bliss after all, right where you left it.
About Pack Systems
Speak Your Mind