The Travel Routine of Routine Travel

We all have a routine. When we’re home that routine is…well…our routine. When my kids were growing up, getting them to and from sports, school activities and other events required careful coordination and planning.

For our sanity and survival, we developed a system to make things effective and easier and quite frankly, less stressful.

Travel is a part of my life professionally and personally. I’m sure some of you can relate. Which is why I want to start sharing some of my tips and techniques for making business travel a healthier and happier experience in areas that can positively impact perspective and productivity. Because what I’ve come to learn, through a lot of trial and error, is the importance of developing systems to maintain my personal routines regarding health, fitness, food and well-being while traveling. In developing these routines, it was clear how much healthier, productive, focused and relaxed I was, whether traveling for work or vacation.

The Starting Point

Let’s face it, any routine we have at home can be easily disrupted while traveling. There are many variables and many potential excuses. Beyond that, some of the things we do at home, we simply don’t do while we’re on the road. In order to master the routine of routine travel, you have to be, in a word, purposeful. Developing good habits doesn’t happen accidentally.

It’s also fair to say that routines, like many of the devices, resources and technology to support them, have evolved over time and will no doubt continue to do so. Establishing routine while traveling today is easier than it was thirty years ago.

My commitment for travel routine began as a casual interest largely driven from the intent of convenience and comfort while on the road. It became a more serious interest when I found every element of my routine completely disrupted by travel, rather than being complimented and supported. When it came to travel, there was no novelty, there was faux healthy eating, there was a little exercise, there was pseudo sleep and there were times I felt like 3 a.m. was 3 p.m. and caffeine was the connector.

Interestingly, I’m a variety kind of guy. I like different experiences. My wife and I rarely go on vacation in the same place, Hawaii excluded, and together we set a pace for exploring and doing things that at times seems a bit crazy. I quickly learned that whether for business or pleasure, routine is a plus and it doesn’t mean that it has to make things…well…routine.

So occasionally, I’m going to explore the travel routine of routine travel on topics such as exercise, healthy eating, coffee, sleeping, communicating and connecting, building friendships, scheduling, flying, driving, etc..

If you travel regularly, you also know that virtually every trip offers a story. These are the stories of funny, frustrating, serious, odd and unique scenarios. When my kids were young and I’d come home and share some of these stories, one of their favorite lines would be “no way.” My response to them would be the same as it is today, “Dad can’t make this stuff up. I’m not that good.” Like the time I spent an entire night outside the hotel because of a fire alarm. Or, the time the last person to get on the plane threw up on me during take-off. Or, the time someone asked for my autograph thinking I was someone else.

For now, think about these #thoughtstarters:

• Which element of your routine is the most difficult to deal with when disrupted? 
• Do you tend to embrace travel or avoid it?
• How do you make your routines feel less routine?