Traveling for business might sound like a challenge, but it can actually be exactly the right move for your business growth. Whether you are a business owner or an employee, you might even find that you are much more successful when you travel than when you were at home. Meeting business partners face to face is often a much more satisfactory way of improving work relationships.
There are a number of different tips that make business travel easier for those involved, and traveling light has to be one of the best. Most of the time, you will only need your carry-on luggage, and that will save you time at the airport and make it easier to get around once you arrive. If you think you couldn’t possibly fit everything you need into your small carry-on bag, here are some techniques that will help you pack light.
You Won’t Need Everything
It can be hard to cut down on the number of items you have to take with you on a business trip. Or rather, the number of items you think you have to take with you. This, of course, is a big difference and something that it’s important to remember. You really don’t need as much as you think you will.
If you make a travel packing list before you go, this problem will soon be over. Write down everything you intend to take with you. Then, go through the list again and cross off anything that isn’t required. When you’re looking at the list in black and white, this will be much easier. Just think about what you won’t be able to find when you arrive, and you’ll realize that, apart from your clothes, a few toiletries, and a laptop, you don’t need much else at all.
Pack Darker Colors
It might sound strange to suggest that one way to travel light is to pack darker clothing; after all, how does that make a difference to how much you have to take with you? In fact, it does make a difference, and it could be the difference that means you can do away with your large suitcase and just take a small bag with you on your trip.
You should only pack darker colors because you can wear darker clothes more times without having to wash them than lighter clothes, especially white clothing. If you get your dark shirt or pants dirty, the color will help hide the mark, and you won’t need to get changed, plus you can wear the same thing more than once – thus, you’ll need to take fewer clothing items with you.
Bundle Your Clothing
When you bundle your clothing, you don’t have to shove everything into a bag in a mess and hope it’s not too creased when you get to wherever you’re going. This is not what this kind of bundling means. This kind of bundling is a way of packing that provides you with more space in your bag. That way, you can fit more into a smaller bag should you need to.
The key is to wear the bulkiest items you are taking with you on your journey. That would include your jacket, jeans, anything heavy and large. The rest of your clothing can be rolled up rather than folded and carefully bundled together. You’ll be amazed at how much room this gives you.