Go Get the Results

I remember when I used to work in the Olympic Movement and I would come back home from somewhere and my mother would excitedly ask me over the telephone, “Well?  How was (insert country here)?”  In other words, she wanted to hear all about the sights.

The thing is that business trips are just that.  Almost to a fault I have always traveled with that mindset.  I almost have to force myself to go do something that’s just relaxing and enjoyable.

The fact of the matter is, I’m the boss.  I run the agency.  I have authorized the spending for myself to be out there pressing the flesh and following a plan that will bring results.  It’s not a sightseeing trip disguised as work just so that I can write it off as a business expense.  Lots of people do that and I hope you’re not one of them.

Travel looks glamorous to those who don’t do it.  They assume that it’s all fun and sunshine and pictures and going to the tourist spots.  It’s a bit of a trap, in fact.

For people sitting at home getting angry because, “Wow, must be nice.  (Insert name here) is in (location),” their mental health takes a beating because they’re comparing themselves to what they see on social media.  The fact is, that person whose photos you’re seeing?  Here’s why there’s a potential trap on their side of the equation too.

What you might not consider as you steam over seeing them posting out of town photos yet again is that maybe they’re living beyond their means.  Perhaps the happiest entity in all this is the credit card company because that frequent traveler is overextending themselves.

Let’s face it.  There’s an obvious sense of entitlement out there these days.  But that could lead to financial ruin.

So, travel, but remember that the more successful your business trips are, the better chance your personal life will be and then you can afford some of the finer things in life.

Now before you call me a hypocrite and point to the frequent trips that I make to the likes of Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, and Miami, remind yourself that I am a Member of the Recording Academy and those are major entertainment capitals.  Now Hear This, Inc. was founded on serving music clients and, although the agency has expanded greatly over the years, there very much is still a real presence for us in the music industry.

And then, of course, is the weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast featuring interviews with guests who are having success in entertainment, primarily music.

How can you challenge yourself to make sure the trip is, in fact, business focused?  Here are two simple tasks that will implement a level of accountability – especially if you are your own boss.

The first step comes almost before you even book the trip!  Write down what you aim to accomplish during your time away.  Don’t just think about it for a minute or two or five.  Actually write out the list.  I’m headed to Los Angeles in early August, and my list was compiled before I booked the flights, the hotel, or the rental car.  It was my way of substantiating going back out there again.  You have to have a plan.  You can’t just take the Indiana Jones approach of making it up as you go along.  If you fall into that trap, you’ll either find yourself sitting around your hotel room a lot or turning into the tourist that I’m trying to help you avoid becoming.

The next step, to be done once you return, is going to sound a bit extreme but will help you feel better about what you just did.  It involves writing again and is what you might call a trip report.  Even if you’re the one calling the shots, write up something as though you were submitting it to someone you answer to.  This document should describe what was accomplished (including what the benefits were of having gone) and then what the follow-ups will be.  (Pro tip: Give yourself a due date for completing it by and make that deadline sooner than later so you don't forget entries that should be on there.)

Remember that we’re in a day and age where videoconferences are so common that some people might measure that against your travel.  “Couldn’t you have just met with the person over Zoom?”  That’s the question that will be asked, but (a) I can’t imagine going on a business trip only to meet with one person, and (b) if there is a specific in-person event anchoring the trip, then obviously, no, it couldn’t have been done over Zoom.

When you’re back from your trip and your so-called friend asks you in a snide tone of voice how your trip was, tell them how great your business is doing.

A Member of the Recording Academy, I have been helping indie music artists, authors, actors, entrepreneurs, podcasters, filmmakers, small business owners, and more for over twenty years. What challenges are you having in your creator career that I can lend some insight to?  Connect with me so you can take advantage of all my experience, and I can help and keep you moving forward.