Frequent business travel can be both exhilarating and exhausting, often leading to burnout. In this Q&A, CEOs and founders share their personal experiences and tips for overcoming these challenges. Discover how to integrate personal passions into business trips and learn the importance of building keystone habits for balance and productivity. With a total of seven expert insights, this article provides valuable advice to keep frequent travelers motivated and healthy.
- Integrate Personal Passions Into Business Trips
- Set Clear Boundaries for Self-Care
- Maintain a Consistent Self-Care Routine
- Dedicate an Hour of Downtime Daily
- Prioritize Self-Care and Stay Organized
- Build Keystone Habits for Balance and Productivity
- Break Work Into Small Tasks During Transit
Integrate Personal Passions Into Business Trips
As a car detailing expert with a busy schedule, frequent travel can be taxing, but I’ve found that integrating personal passions into my trips helps combat burnout. For instance, whenever I travel for a business meeting, I carve out time to explore local car shows or detailing trends in the area. It keeps me connected to what I love while giving me a refreshing change of pace. This practice transforms work trips into an opportunity to recharge creatively.
Another strategy is to create a travel routine that feels like home. I bring along small comforts—like my favorite coffee blend or a neck pillow I always use—which keeps me grounded even in unfamiliar settings. Additionally, I set clear boundaries, ensuring I allocate time to unwind instead of being constantly plugged into work. When you’re passionate about your business, it’s tempting to work non-stop, but balance is essential to maintain long-term motivation.
Finally, I remind myself of the “why” behind the travel. Every meeting, workshop, or conference contributes to growing my brand and improving customer satisfaction. Reflecting on the larger goal has helped me stay positive and find fulfillment in the grind, even during the toughest schedules.
Ryan Farook
Owner, Ryans Mobile Car Detailing
Set Clear Boundaries for Self-Care
One key tip for overcoming burnout during frequent business travels is setting clear boundaries and prioritizing self-care. As the founder of a legal process outsourcing company, I’ve had my fair share of back-to-back trips, where constant travel can easily lead to exhaustion.
Early on, I realized that if I didn’t carve out time for myself, both mentally and physically, the fatigue would catch up. I started blocking out an hour each evening during trips to go for a walk or simply read a book—something that had nothing to do with work.
This small ritual not only helped recharge my energy but also kept my focus sharp. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to sacrifice well-being to be productive; sometimes, a little downtime can lead to greater motivation and creativity.
Aseem Jha
Founder, Legal Consulting Pro
Maintain a Consistent Self-Care Routine
A consistent self-care routine is one practical tip for overcoming burnout and staying motivated during frequent business travels. Incorporating short, daily rituals into my travel schedule made a significant difference. For instance, I prioritize setting aside time each morning for a brief workout or meditation session, regardless of where I am.
This practice helps me maintain my physical health and provides a mental reset before diving into the Day’s meetings and activities. Additionally, I make it a point to explore local environments, even if just for a short walk or visit to a nearby cafe. This allows me to break the monotony of travel and connect with new places, which keeps my spirits high.
By committing to these small yet impactful routines, I’ve managed stress better and stayed focused on my goals, turning potentially draining travel experiences into opportunities for personal growth and rejuvenation.
Sheraz Ali
Founder & CEO, HARO Links Builder
Dedicate an Hour of Downtime Daily
Working in the motorsport industry, I’m on the road most weekends, travelling across the UK and occasionally further into Europe to attend races and meet with clients. To manage burnout, my top tip is to dedicate a specific hour of downtime each day when I’m not allowed to work!
During my “hour off,” I typically take a bath, read a book—preferably not about motorsport—and enjoy a cup of tea (very British of me!). This slight but deliberate pause gives me a sense of routine in a fast-paced motorsport schedule, gives me something to look forward to, and always leaves me feeling refreshed, recharged and ready to go again!
Danny Stanford-Ravet
Managing Director, Racing Owl Motorsport
Prioritize Self-Care and Stay Organized
Frequent business travel can definitely lead to burnout, especially in the fast-paced fashion industry. One tip I’ve found helpful is prioritizing self-care and staying organized. For example, during a busy travel schedule, I make sure to carve out time for small but meaningful activities, like a quick workout or reading a book, to recharge.
I also use time management tools to keep my tasks organized and prevent feeling overwhelmed. Setting clear goals for each trip helps me stay focused and avoid burnout from juggling too many tasks.
A personal experience: during a hectic fashion event in New York, I felt exhausted, but I scheduled breaks to walk around and enjoy the city, which helped reset my mindset. Taking care of your mental and physical well-being, even during travel, is essential to staying motivated and avoiding burnout.
Kirti Poonia
Founder, Caimera
Build Keystone Habits for Balance and Productivity
Keystone habits are the foundational routines that set the tone for other positive behaviors, helping to maintain balance and productivity even in challenging circumstances like frequent business travel. These habits are especially valuable when the demands of work and constant movement threaten to drain your energy. For me, one critical keystone habit is prioritizing physical well-being during flights. Wearing compression socks and drinking more water than I think I need are simple but effective steps I take to stay hydrated and reduce the effects of jet lag. These small practices help keep my body energized, making it easier to navigate the stress of travel.
Another keystone habit I rely on is taking intentional moments throughout the day to pause and ground myself. This involves stepping back to reflect on my goals, review my schedule, and, most importantly, prioritize self-care. These moments allow me to reset and prevent the autopilot mode that often comes with juggling work and travel. Without these grounding practices, it’s easy to lose focus and quickly burn out. By building these keystone habits into my routine, I’ve been able to stay motivated, maintain my energy, and approach frequent business travel with greater resilience and clarity.
Mike Veny
CEO & Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist®, Mike Veny, Inc.
Break Work Into Small Tasks During Transit
When I travel for business, I make the most of my transit time by breaking my work into small tasks. While waiting at the airport or during a flight, I focus on things like reviewing documents, drafting emails, or jotting down ideas.
This keeps me productive without feeling overwhelmed and frees up my time later for rest or personal activities. It’s a simple way to stay on top of work and avoid burnout while traveling.
Dinesh Agarwal
Founder, CEO, RecurPost
