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Being a professional business traveler for over 12 years, I know what it means to rush through airports, sit on planes (and miss them) or to spend time (that I don’t have) in cabs on my way to meetings.
In my younger years I’ve learned how to dress properly to arrive in style to every airport and meeting. Today I can say, after all – I’ve got to know what real “style” means. Besides the perfect knit-free outfit and flawless make-up after a 8h travel with several stops and new climate zones… for me a great style means, showing up organized, calm and aware of what you’re saying and doing, simply: focused. This actually is the best accessory you can have, when attending an important business meeting or traveling for/with business. It’s your healthy state of mind, that matters the and that shines through the most. Wearing the nicest outfits and beautiful make-up (although you should, when you can) won’t prevent you from showing how stressed you are , when you’re not properly prepared for your trip or meeting. Here is my favorite routine, that I’ve put together in 10 notes on my checklist, which I always do before every important business trip. That’s the way, that makes even business trips turn me into feeling calm and relaxed – as relaxed as being on a little boat tour by sunset. 😉
Know what your trip is about, set a goal that you want to focus on during the trip and stick everything else around the goal.
When it comes to airplanes, drivers and hotels I have to admit, I book 5 star service, whenever possible. You simply know, that the comfort of luxurious travel is so much worth, when rushing from one meeting to another. 5 star providers such as hotel personnel or driver service exactly know how to make your life easier and you don’t have to worry about room service taking so long or about a cab driver that is lost in town.
Plan your meetings smart. Make yourself an overview of the locations your meetings are at. Have enough time before and after, to get there, to arrive being prepared and knowing what you want. It’s a key to successful meetings.
Make sure you plan some free time between meetings or at the end of the workday. To distract your mind from work or stress for a little while, is the best you can do. You then need it most, when you have no time for it.
Life is about opportunities, chances, coincidences and new encounters. Especially when traveling, it happens quite often. To make the most of life’s unexpected events, you must be prepared to be spontaneous. Prepared and organized, that no matter what happens during the trip, it won’t affect your schedule or important deadlines. Try to have your major tasks done before traveling. Don’t take any last minute work on trips. You might miss a great opportunity.
Plan your outfits and your hair styles. Make sure you’re well prepared for walks, business meetings, a gala dinner and casual coffee catch-ups. If you travel with expensive jewelry, watches or bags, keep them in your hand luggage or your handbag. Always keep an SOS Outfit in your hand luggage, if you have something super important coming up. Make sure you’ve got all you need with you and that you don’t have to trust the last-minute airport-shopping, cause you never know which terminal you might end up at. I’ve seen airport terminals with no shops at all. 😉
Write a to do-list before getting on the business trip, for what you want to get done during traveling and for everything else that’s on your mind. Even if you won’t be able to fulfill your list, you will be less stressed, because you brought it to paper. And you won’t forget about it.
Writing down notes, o-do’s, basically everything that’s on your mind, is the best way to take thoughts off your mind. To relax your mind and to calm down. On the other hand, I take notes on all my travels of thoughts and things that inspire me and that’s how most of my ideas for creative projects are made of.
With Montblanc’s  Augmented Paper, I’ve found the perfect accessory for my travels and for the daily life. It combines my love for writing on paper with my busy digital life. You start on paper and…
The fantastic gadget makes your handwritten notes showing up on your Montblanc App inside your phone. They are accessible and editable  wherever you are – having them saved on your smartphone inside your pocket, without the need of carrying your notebook.
Photographer: Thomas Buchwalder Notebook & Pen: Montblanc Augmented Paper Set Boat: Ganz Boats, Evolution 77
Founded in 2014, re-launched in 2019 – by Nel-Olivia Waga. It is an international luxury lifestyle blog, that features stories under the aspect of a conscious mindset. It collaborates with leading brands and specialists who share the idea of generating a positive impact in the world. Based in Zurich and London, it covers local hotspots and global trends around sustainability, innovation, well-being, health, beauty, travel, time, art, business and charity.
Nel-Olivia Waga is the Founder & Publisher of HER/etiquette. She is a Brand Consultant, an Author and Entrepreneur, most passionate about well-being, travel, nature and art. Her work can regularly be seen in her column on FORBES. Her consultancy YMPACT LAB, creates innovative marketing projects for luxury brands based on passion, purpose and sustainable impact.
#ConsciousLuxury is the theme of HER/etiquette. We combine luxury lifestyle with consciousness. Each story we share, is underlined with values. The purpose and innovation of the brands we collaborate with, are as important to us, as their initiatives towards ethical craftsmanship, sustainability, holistic health and social responsibility.
This is our first step in contributing to the global movement of creating a more positive impact in the world – and in you.
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