USA TODAY International Edition
Using the wait time
Don’t let waiting time be wasted time, says Jason Womack; turn it into opportunities,
San Diego- based frequent flier Saul Klein started traveling 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 traveling,” he says, “but not as much in recent years.”
Klein and other travelers who seek to better use their down travel time may want to look to some of the strategies employed by frequent flier 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 traveling, is well- practiced 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- flier 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.
Here are some of Womack’s other tips.
Before departure:
- Become a packing minimalist. Leave at home unnecessary items and clothes you never wear while traveling. This will save time packing, unpacking and finding the things you need on the road. 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. Also, have a duplicate set of toiletries.
- 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 traveling home. Bring charging cords in carry- on.
- 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. If you show up early, use the “bonus time” to work.
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. Don’t waste time doing your expenses after a trip searching for receipts.
Traveling to and from airports:
uuse 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.
Take advantage of “bonus time” that comes from a flight delay or a client who’s late to a meeting. Use the time to reply to e- mails, make phone calls, review materials for another meeting or project, confirm appointments or draft business responses.
- 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. Get inspired and learn new ideas at the TED ( Technology Entertainment and Design) website, www.ted.com, or by viewing other educational or informational podcasts like it. If you read or listen to something that might interest a client or a colleague, refer them to it.
- Sit in an aisle seat. You can exit a plane quicker, get to the lavatory more quickly and access items in the overhead bin more easily.
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. Determine whether it’s faster to drive, use public transportation or walk to them.
- 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 billboards of shows you want to see.
Take a picture of your hotel room number, so you don’t have to wander around or return to the front desk.
Similarly, take a picture of the car you’ve rented and its license plate, so you can find it quickly among other vehicles. In a parking garage, take a picture of the floor name or number and that of the space.