Returning to work after a business trip can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. In this article, experts, including a founder and a CEO, share eight invaluable strategies to ease the transition. The first insight emphasizes the importance of carving out time for debriefing, while the final tip recommends starting with a power hour. Discover all eight expert strategies to make your post-trip return as smooth as possible.
- Carve Out Time for Debriefing
- Focus on Top Three Tasks
- Ease Back with Simple Tasks
- Review Handwritten Notes
- Set Aside Catch-Up Time
- Prioritize Emails and Tasks
- Schedule a Buffer Day
- Start with a Power Hour
Carve Out Time for Debriefing
After returning from a business trip, one strategy I follow to ensure a smooth transition back to work is to carve out dedicated time for a debriefing session with my team.
During my early days as the founder of a legal process outsourcing company, I found that jumping straight into meetings or emails often left me feeling scattered and overwhelmed. Now, I set aside the first half-day back to reconnect with my team, where we review key takeaways from the trip, discuss any urgent matters, and outline priorities moving forward.
For instance, after attending a recent industry conference, I gathered my team to share insights and ideas I’d gathered, which sparked invigorating discussions on how we could implement new strategies.
This practice not only helps me process my experiences but also keeps everyone aligned and motivated. It’s a powerful way to foster collaboration and ensure that we’re all on the same page as we dive back into our projects.
Aseem Jha
Founder, Legal Consulting Pro
Focus on Top Three Tasks
When I return from a business trip, I always start by focusing on my “Top Three” tasks for the week—those that are most urgent or strategically important. This helps me cut through the post-trip chaos and avoid getting bogged down by smaller, less important tasks. I quickly learned that by zeroing in on just three key priorities, I can give them the attention they need and keep things moving forward without distractions.
This simple strategy has been a game changer for me, helping me regain focus, avoid burnout, and make real progress right away. If you’re looking for a way to stay on track, I highly recommend trying this approach. It helps you manage your workload more efficiently and builds momentum to tackle bigger goals.
Brian Staver
CEO, NetPayAdvance
Ease Back with Simple Tasks
Getting straight into high-stakes work after a trip tends to render adjusting back to the office more difficult. Instead, I prefer to ease back in by tackling simpler, less demanding tasks on my first day. I might organize my desk, catch up on emails that don’t require much thought, or plan out my meetings for the week. This helps me get back into the groove without feeling overwhelmed. It also gives me time to process everything from the trip and reflect on any new insights. By starting with small tasks, I can slowly build momentum, making the transition smoother and avoiding burnout. It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference in how I get back to work.
Matt Gehring
Chief Marketing Officer, Dutch
Review Handwritten Notes
After a business trip, I set aside my first morning back to review my handwritten notes—something I started doing years ago when a crucial idea almost got lost in a digital shuffle. Sitting with a coffee and revisiting those notes helps me reconnect with the trip’s purpose and plan actionable steps. It’s my way of turning travel insights into progress without diving straight into the noise.
Dinesh Agarwal
Founder, CEO, RecurPost
Set Aside Catch-Up Time
One strategy that helps me transition smoothly back to work after a business trip is setting aside an hour or two on my first day back solely for catching up. Instead of jumping straight into meetings or tackling emails as they come, I use this time to review notes from the trip, prioritize any action items, and go through key emails or updates.
This short but focused catch-up period allows me to organize my thoughts, set clear priorities, and feel prepared before diving into the usual workflow. It’s a simple step, but it helps me reorient without feeling overwhelmed, ensuring I can jump back into tasks with a clear, refreshed perspective.
Blake Beesley
Operations and Technology Manager, Pacific Plumbing Systems
Prioritize Emails and Tasks
One strategy I find incredibly effective is setting aside time on my first day back to review and prioritize my emails and tasks. I like to create a detailed to-do list that outlines urgent matters and any follow-ups needed from meetings while I was away. This helps me regain clarity and focus quickly. I also recommend scheduling brief catch-up meetings with my team to get updates on ongoing projects and share insights from the trip. It fosters collaboration and ensures everyone is aligned moving forward.
Michael Hayden
Accountant | Business Owner, MH Services
Schedule a Buffer Day
One effective strategy I use to ease back into work after a business trip is scheduling a buffer day before returning to the office. This day allows me to recover, get organized, and transition smoothly back into my routine.
Returning home at least a day early gives me time to rest, catch up on sleep, and recharge after the physical and mental strain of travel. I use the day to handle personal tasks like unpacking, laundry, and errands, so they don’t interfere with my focus when I’m back at work.
The buffer day also helps me mentally shift from travel mode to work mode. It’s a chance to reflect on the trip, organize my thoughts, and start prioritizing what needs my attention. I might spend a short time reviewing emails-not diving fully into work, but enough to feel prepared and less overwhelmed when I return.
Travel often means long periods of sitting, so I make time for light exercise or a walk to reset both my body and mind.
This simple strategy keeps me refreshed, organized, and ready to tackle my responsibilities, making the return to work far less stressful and much more productive.
Jay Yue
Growth, Wanderboat
Start with a Power Hour
I call it “Power Hour!” Dedicate your first hour back to tackling the small but urgent tasks-checking emails, organizing notes, and sketching out your day’s focus. This quick reset makes the whole workload feel manageable and sets you up to dive into big projects with clarity and momentum.
Tom Molnar
Operations Manager, Fit Design
