Today, women make up a about 50 percent of people who travel for their work; this may not sound too impressive as we are half the population, but a few decades ago, this figure was around five percent, so we have come a long way baby. Traveling for work can be exciting, but for many of us, it is a regular occurrence and can get quite exhausting. Finding ways to make the process easier and more enjoyable is crucial to surviving this sometimes grueling professional task. Here are just a few tips to help you do just that.
Packing
Packing can be quite the pain when it comes to business trips. While not fair, women are judged much more on their appearance, regardless of their business acumen. But, if you want to do the job, you have to play the game, so looking good is important.
While it may be tempting to pack multiple outfits for each day you are there, going minimal is good for a few reasons. If you can fit everything in a carry-on, you save precious time by not having to wait for your checked luggage to come round the carousel.
Focus on neutral colors that go well with each other to minimize the number of items you need to pack. Throw in a couple of black or beige pants or skirts that you can wear a couple of times, and mix and match them with a few different tops. You only need a couple of suit jackets as well. If all these neutral, plain outfits feel a bit bland, have no fear. A few accessories, like a patterned scarf, or some nice earrings can give your outfit some pop.
When it comes to shoes, you can definitely get away with just bringing one dressy pair for your business dealings.
And here is a little trick to freshen up any items that may get more than one wear—put a bit of vodka in a spray bottle and give the clothes a nice spritz. It will soak up any odors, and leave your clothes nice and fresh.
Safety
Again, not fair, but the reality is, women on their own are much more vulnerable than their male counterparts, and we have to think about things they don’t. So, you need to be smart about your safety. As a frequent international traveler, I cannot stress enough the importance of familiarizing yourself with the local culture and customs if you will be going abroad. While women in the US still have their challenges when it comes to equality, we have it pretty darn good compared to some other places.
While a man here might not blink an eye if you wear a sleeveless shirt or a skirt above the knee, it could get you some very unwanted attention in other locales. Women being openly harassed, even in very public places, is commonplace in many areas of the world. Make sure you jot down emergency numbers, and the location of the police station.
No matter where you are in the world, walk with confidence no matter how hopelessly lost you may be. You might also consider forgoing hotels for short-term housing arrangements; you can easily find furnished apartments in Washington DC, Bangkok, Los Angeles, New Delhi, and pretty much any other major city in the world that cater to the business traveler. These types of facilities tend to be more secure than hotels, not to mention much more comfortable.
Preventing Business Trips from Turning into Guilt Trips
Considering that a majority of adults have children, and a large number of women with children work outside the home, I venture to guess a lot of you reading this have families. And, you probably struggle with working-mom-guilt, Especially if you travel a lot. But, there are ways to ease it a bit. First and foremost, it is important to remember that this job is supporting your family, and helping you provide the type of life you want to give to your children.
Take advantage of the myriad technology that lets us get in touch in an instant—though, it may be a good idea to check in with your spouse or whoever is watching the kids to see if it is a good time to call. If your child is not in a great mood at the moment, talking to you may make him feel worse than better. Take a copy of that bedtime story and read it over Skype. When possible, see if you can bring your children along—maybe you have a relative nearby who can watch them during meetings and other work stuff.
