This is a collaborative post.

I’ve traveled for work sparingly - conferences and the like. I always make time to explore outside of the workday, and it’s one of the coolest things about traveling at likely no cost to yourself. But at one point I interviewed for a role with up to 25% required travel, and the thought of that made me so nervous. So for this post, I’m collaborating with some folks who have better tips than I about how to shift to having to travel for work. Read along to learn more.

Travel often seems like a fantastic perk of any job. It’s cool to get out there and explore, to see more of the world, and to be anything but chained to a desk. But the truth is that if you’re not used to traveling often, doing so can be something of an adjustment. For example, while you may love travel, heading to a new city or country means you’re not just working and then coming home, the lifestyle is mostly oriented around your working purpose.

For example, if you have to head to another state for a few days, you also have to factor in the travel days, the evenings and possibly weekends you’ll spend elsewhere, and the impact that can have on your family. Of course, doing so can also be quite freeing, and give you a sense of excitement and purpose like nothing else.

In this post, we’ll discuss how to adjust to a job that demands you travel often, not only as an ambassador for another but perhaps your own enterprise. In this post, we’ll discuss a few steps you can take to adjust to that pace going forward:



Ensure comfortable accommodations

It’s usually fine to opt for austere accommodations given you won’t be living in a place long, but the truth is that a trip becomes so much more comfortable when you have good hotel deals worked out and you feel comfortable in them each night. Many business travelers find that booking a hotel in Atlanta GA or any major city works best when you pick somewhere with a kitchen setup and enough space to spread out. Some people prefer apartments these days, but hotels often have those built-in amenities that make life easier, such as a gym or breakfast service, and they’re worth using.



Keep a reliable, accessible schedule for everyone in the family

It’s pretty common for a family to be worried about your absence even if they know where you are at all times. You can keep them in the loop and feeling connected to you with a shared calendar, but really any system that lets everyone know your movements will do the job. Your partner needs to plan their schedule too, and kids appreciate knowing when you'll be around for their important dates, for instance, if you’re coming to see their band recital after coming back on a flight.



Keep up healthy social links & be open to exploration 

It’s good to keep up healthy social links while you’re away, as some families even turn travel days into special occasions when they can. For instance, perhaps for your Wednesday becomes pizza night and you lay out all the ingredients so your kids can have fun with your partner, or Saturday morning video calls become a definitive when you’re on those longer trips. It gives you some consistency in an otherwise inconsistent schedule. Don’t worry, you’re hardly the only person having to plan efforts to keep up with their families, but you’ll have put a healthy amount of thought into it. It can also be quite healthy to go for walks or hikes or at least not feel constrained to the hotel you’re in if you have a morning free, as this keeps your busy schedule from feeling oppressive.



With this advice, we hope you can more easily adjust to a job that demands you travel.