As a hardened traveler we’re sure you’re well aware that there are no shortage of unplanned circumstances that can and will be thrown your way to keep you from looking and performing your best out on the road. The keys to keeping it together is all in the planning, or as they say, the devil is in the details, and these 5 essential strategies will keep your best foot forward in a new cities where you have no idea which direction forward is.

Know Where You Need to Be and How to Get There
In this day and age where we don’t need much to navigate places we’ve never been other than an address and a smartphone, it’s easy to take comfort in relying on technology to guide us. But when the unthinkable happens, taking the time the day before to map out where you’re going and how to get there will save you the panic of feeling helpless in an unfamiliar place and showing up to the meeting 5 minutes late huffing, puffing, and apologizing.

Keep Your Contacts Updated on Your Travel Itinerary
Take the time to organize your business trip schedule before you leave. Include flight times, the address of your Corporate housing apartment, and whatever other scheduled plans you may have. Sharing this itinerary through a Google Calender or a Microsoft Office Doc will allow your colleagues to be aware of where you will be and when should any scheduling changes need to be made. An added bonus of the shared itinerary is it makes knocking out commandment #1 second nature, and will force even the most scatterbrained of us to take the time to organize.

Bring a Back Up of Everything You May Need
While the Internet seems to be available just about everywhere we may be be, it is foolish to assume it will always be there if we need it. Bringing along a flashdrive with any important resources you may need, from contact lists to meeting materials, will keep you prepared in the event of any unforeseen circumstances. You may never need it, but the one time you forget the phone charger at home, or your laptop crashes the morning of a big meeting, you will be able to roll with the punches and adjust accordingly (and hopefully think back on where you read this fantastic advice!)

Rest and Eat Well
The stress of a hectic travel schedule and living out of a suitcase for days at a time can take the spark out of the sparkiest of us and chowing down on greasy fast-food after a few drinks at the local happy hour can put a slouch in the shoulders when it’s time to be on point the next day. Take the time to get to bed early with something healthy in your belly when you’ve got a big day ahead. That extra hour of sleep, or choosing broccoli instead of beer might just be the key to making it through that last hour of the 6 hour meeting alert and aware rather than, ahem, “resting your eyes.”

Maintain Your Focus, Be on Point
Never forget, whatever your purpose may be, that you’ve been entrusted to represent the face of your company/organization out there in the world. It is your responsibility, nay, your call of duty, to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep that image looking sharp and leaving a positive impression. We all know the power an e-mail from a superior praising your astute, professional rapport can have. Similarly, we all know the power an e-mail from a superior with a lukewarm review can have too. Keep in mind, the world is already small, and only getting smaller. You may not remember every name or face, but making a positive effort to treat those around you well can be the key to them remembering yours.

Images Courtesy of:
SMH.com.au
Agogified.com
Travelpod.com