We often picture lawyers sitting in their office, hidden behind a big pile of documents and paperwork that they have to review. With this image in mind, a lawyer’s job might seem quite static and boring. Traveling is not the kind of activity that we’d usually associate with this profession.
That might have been the case in the past, but times have changed and the legal profession has changed with them. These days, a lot of lawyers spend more time on the road than in their quiet offices. Their work responsibilities take them out of their usual environment and into the great big world more often than you think. Whether it’s for a conference or a case they’re working on, traveling has become a common task for many lawyers.
However, just because they have become accustomed to it doesn’t mean that traveling as a lawyer is free of challenges. There are many issues that can arise along the way, especially if you’re a busy professional with multiple clients based in many different locations.
So, if you’re a lawyer who’s always on the move and has to travel often for work purposes, here are some tips that can make your life a lot easier.
Take advantage of airline reward programs
For lawyers who only have to travel short distances, the car may be a suitable transportation method. However, for those who travel between cities, or countries, flying is the best or only option. In general, flying is better than driving for business travel, as it can save you time and effort. It’s also a lot more convenient, allowing you to relax or get some more work done until you get to your destination.
So, if you’ve become a regular at the airport, you can take advantage of airline reward programs. Almost all major airlines have some kind of loyalty program to reward their regular customers for choosing to fly with them. These programs can help you save money when you fly and provide a number of other benefits such as in-flight facilities, convenient check-ins, free seat reservation, class upgrades, etc.
Plan your trips in advance
If you’ve just found out that you have to fly out the next day, it can be quite difficult to get your plans in order. However, last-minute trips are more of a rare occurrence, rather than the way you are used to traveling. In general, you already know the date of your trip well in advance, so you have more than enough time to plan your journey.
A good rule of thumb is to avoid flying out over the weekend, whenever possible, so you don’t have to deal with large crowds and enjoy a more peaceful travel experience. Also, try to pack lightly and travel without checked baggage, as this will help you save time at the airport, save money, reduce stress, and give you more freedom of movement.
Take your gadgets with you
If there’s one category of items that you must absolutely take with you, apart from the necessary travel documents and work-related materials, that’s your tech gadgets. Digitalization has made its way into the legal field as well, making things easier for both lawyers and their clients. Nowadays, people have plenty of online resources and tools such as Review of Solicitors at their disposal to find or review lawyers and help them make informed decisions.
Similarly, lawyers have a plethora of programs and tools they can use to organize their work and keep in touch with their clients, no matter where they are in the world. As a lawyer who’s also half digital nomad, you have to get in the habit of taking your tech devices such as laptops, tablets, headphones, adapters, or chargers with you wherever you go.
Navigate airports and borders like a pro
Even if you plan your trip carefully and you try to avoid peak travel times, you’ll still have to deal with the crowds every now and then. Airports are usually very busy places, so there’s no way around it at times.
While there’s not much you can do about the frustration caused by large crowds, you can avoid further annoyance by staying alert and not losing sight of your belongings while you’re navigating the airport. The last thing you want is to have someone steal your phone or wallet as you’re on your way to an important meeting.
Focus on your health
Traveling for pleasure can do wonders for your mental and physical health. Traveling for work, on the other hand, can have the exact opposite effect. Apart from the fact that you have to stay on top of your job responsibilities, you also have to deal with the extra pressure of changing your work environment for a short while.
It comes as no surprise that a lot of professionals experience high levels of stress and anxiety during business trips. That’s why you should not neglect your health while you’re traveling. Stay hydrated, pay attention to what you eat, and try to get a good night’s sleep so you can be productive during the day.
Have some fun
Who says that a business trip has to be all work and no fun? If you’re only going away for a day or two, you may not have enough time to explore your travel destination. But if your trip extends and you have to spend a week or more in a different city or country, it would be a shame not to sneak in a bit of sightseeing and relaxation.
Going on a stroll through the city at the end of the day and taking the time to get to know the places you’re visiting can turn a dull business trip into a wonderful adventure.
These are just some of the tips you can use to make your business trips more pleasant and comfortable. If you keep an open mind, every business travel experience can help you grow both personally and professionally.
