Lots of ways to turn idle time on road into opportunity
SAN DIEGO – Based frequent flyer Saul Klein started travelling 22 years ago and estimates he has spent more than 17,500 hours — at least two years — waiting around.
He counts among his waiting time standing in security lines, checking in for flights and hotels, waiting to board or get off planes, and waiting for luggage and car rental shuttles.
Yes, the time maybe could be better spent. But strategies to reduce the amount of wasted time or take advantage of down time have “become old and boring,” says Klein, a senior vice- president in the software development industry.
“I used to read a lot while travelling,” he says, “but not as much in recent years.”
Klein and other travellers who seek to better use their down travel time may want to look to some of the strategies employed by frequent flyer Jason Womack, a productivity and performance adviser and author of a new book, Your Best Just Got Better: Work Smarter, Think Bigger, Make More.
Womack, who flew on 140 flights last year and trains for triathlons and long- distance races while travelling, is wellpractised at knowing how to eliminate wasted time during trips — so much so that he almost welcomes flight delays and the time spent waiting around.
“The real trick is to turn these pockets of time into opportunities to get real work done,” says Womack of Ojai, Calif. “Not only does it alleviate the stress of the delays, but it allows you to remain productive. I call it doing what I have to do so that I can do what I want to do later.”
Becoming a preferred airline, hotel and car rental customer is the first step toward saving and maximizing time, he says. Such status may provide priority boarding for a flight, expedited check- in at the hotel and rental car counter, and quicker service to resolve a problem if something goes wrong.
If you can afford the annual fee or can use frequent- flyer miles for one, Womack recommends an airline club membership.
“You can have a quieter, calmer place to be the most productive at an airport,” he says.
Top tips
Before departure: • Become a packing minimalist. Leave at home unnecessary items and clothes you never wear while travelling. The minute you return from a trip, pack your bag for the next trip, and you’re ready to go.
• Own duplicate items. Save time not having to undo and redo your office setup by having a duplicate set of power chargers for phone, laptop and other tech devices.
• Charge it. Create a list of equipment you travel with, and charge all of it the night before you leave home. Do the same thing in your hotel room the night before travelling home.
• Master your gadgets. Learn all the benefits of your smartphones, laptops and tablets. Their apps and software can save on work flow and travel time. Use apps that help find places to eat, provide directions or enable check- ins for flights.
• Anticipate problems. The key to a successful trip isn’t only being as productive as possible, but staying healthy mentally. Reduce anxiety by leaving earlier than necessary for flights and meetings. Finding a pharmacy can be time- consuming, so always travel with pain relievers, adhesive bandages and cold medicine.
• Make sure your itinerary is in your cellphone. This ensures easy access to phone and confirmation numbers for hotel, rental car and flights.
• Manage receipts. Whether it’s a special briefcase compartment or an envelope in a wallet or purse, create a system for managing receipts. .
Travelling to and from airports:
• Use time wisely. Keep a list of people you need to call handy and give them a ring while you’re in a taxi. Or use the ride to brainstorm about a client you’ll be meeting or to plan a future meeting. If you’re driving, queue up a podcast you’ve been meaning to listen to. At airports or on planes: • Always be ready. Your travel time will be sprinkled with 15 minutes or longer that will be wasted if you aren’t prepared. Bring stationery and stamps, and send someone a note or a thank- you card.
If notes “aren’t your thing,” return clients’ calls, amend a meeting agenda or catch up on reading.
• Learn something new. Keep a folder of articles you want to read in your carry- on. Watch a video tutorial for a new software program. At your destination: • Make plans. Before you arrive at a hotel, do some Internet research or call the concierge to find out the best routes to your meetings, entertainment venues and nearby restaurants.
• Use cellphone as a camera. Instead of searching for pen and paper, take a picture of items you want to buy or check the prices for online, restaurants you want to visit or shows you want to see.