Wyndham Wisdom

"Me Time" Reader Tips

Submitted by fellow travelers/readers

To balance your personal life with a demanding travel schedule, carry a picture of your loved ones with you. Also bring a book or favorite album that you love to read or listen to while soaking in the bathtub or lying in bed after a full day of business meetings.
Bring your parents and the kids and enjoy the time together.
Even if you only go away overnight, relax and reconnect with your man while catching the latest movie and munching on room-service.
Celebrate your friendships with a girls-only get-away. Many hotels and resorts offer special packages for women - check out the WOMEN ON THEIR WAY packages for great deals and specials. Nothing beats spa days, lounging at the pool and catching up with your best buddies!

Don't sweat the small stuff - like car rentals. Call the hotel in advance and ask about complimentary airport shuttles or other transportation options.
No matter how hectic things may get, try not to lose your temper. Nine times out of 10, the person you are dealing with is not directly responsible for lost reservations, bad weather, flight delays or cancellations. Treat each person as you would like to be treated - with respect, and you'll find most people are very willing to accommodate and help you.
In order to help alleviate stress, take the time to see a little bit of the surrounding area.

When you leave your husband to care for the kids, try to alleviate his load with a few small tasks. Try creating a menu for the week with easy-to-prepare meals he can microwave. A fun way to remind your family that you are thinking of them is to leave small notes in strategic places where they will find them throughout the day.
Balance Productive Days with Refreshing Days: To be at your best during the day, stay where you can rest and relax at night, plus catch up on personal priorities including your workout routine.
Be Flexible: You must learn to be flexible, take care of your own needs and schedule quality time with your family.
Be in the Moment: Be present in the moment and ask your heart to help you find the balance.
Keep those laughs coming! A great sense of humor can help balance a demanding business travel schedule with a contented personal life.
Take the time to appreciate those you love. When arriving home after working, first acknowledge those that are important to you in your household. Give them some quality time and then take 30 minutes to one hour for yourself.
Sit down twice a year with your planner and seven pieces of paper to plan out all aspects of your life: 1) Health 2) Love relationships 3) Spiritual 4) Education 5) Recreation and Entertainment 6) Relaxation 7) Career.

Schedule Something Fun While on Business Trips: Try to schedule something fun into each trip, whether it's visiting a new city, restaurant, or art gallery.
Taking Home with You: Keep things smelling fresh and feeling like home while traveling by packing a can of your favorite air freshener or fragrant candles that come in travel tins.
Aromatherapy on the Road: Make your evening bath special by packing an aromatherapy candle and a bath pillow.

Seek out friends in different locations and try to get at least 2-3 hours to tour the area.
Remember that business travel is only a means to an end. It is our personal lives that we live for and not our work lives.
Bring along a video camera (or your video/camera phone) so your children can experience the different cities and cultures that you see on your trips. Getting your children excited about each destination is not only an excellent learning experience; it will ensure your family's continued support of your career.
Before leaving for your trip, buy postcard stamps and prepare address labels for family, friends and yourself. This provides an easy way to let your loved ones know that you're thinking of them, while also serving as a way to document your travels.

If you travel to the same city often, find a hotel that you like and feel comfortable in and get to know the staff, particularly the manager and concierge. As a woman traveling alone, you will find that they can be invaluable in assisting you.
Consider packing backwards. As soon as you're finished wearing an outfit, shoes or an accessory, pack it in the suitcase. That way, you only have to pack the items you use the morning you leave.
The best thing that you can pack when going on a trip is your sense of humor. It will help you make it through missed and canceled flights, lost luggage, lost reservations and the general hassles of being on the road and away from home.