When travelling for work, you will often find yourself in meeting after meeting. Since you are in your overseas office for a limited time, getting as much face time out of the visit as possible is crucial. This can often mean that you have time between meetings to occupy, which can be challenging if there isn’t a huge amount of time between each.
Finding something to do between meetings is vital. Many people opt to be productive during this time, but often there won’t be enough time to get tasks done. You could consider taking the opportunity to relax and refresh yourself in preparation for the next meeting. You might be limited on time, but there are still plenty of ways to fill a few minutes.
Go For A Walk
Since you’re in a different country, one of the best ways to spend your time can be to explore. You could consider going for a short walk and getting to know the area around your overseas office. Ask co-workers where the best places to see are within walking distance, and ensure you get the timing right to be back punctually for the next meeting. The exercise will also ensure that you’re energised and productive in the meetings ahead.
Talk To Your Colleagues
When a business has multiple locations, you will often interact with co-workers but never meet face to face. Visiting an overseas office can be ideal for putting faces to names and getting to know your overseas counterparts better. Consider visiting the break area and chatting with whoever you find there. The more people you get to know during your visit, the better.
Do Some Life Admin
With any travel comes a raft of logistical tasks to sort out. If you have a short break between meetings, consider planning how you’ll get to the airport for your return flight or check-in early if your airline allows. You could also check in with loved ones back home and get on top of some of the life admin you’ll need to tackle when home. Getting some important things sorted when you have time can take them off your mind and ensure you’re fully engaged in the meetings to come.
Take Five Minutes To Check Social Media
Social media is a lot of people’s go-to when killing time. It is an excellent way to catch up with loved ones back at home and learn about things to do or events coming up in the future. It is important to remember that social media can also be a huge productivity drain – which is why you should limit your time on social media to five minutes.
Browse The News
Checking out the latest news can be a smart choice for between-meeting breaks. Not only can this occupy your time, but it can also be an excellent way to ensure you’re notified of anything that may impact your return journey home. You should check the national and local news for your home country and your current location.
Try Out Meditation
Meditation can be an excellent stress buster and a great way to spend a few spare minutes. Attending meeting after meeting can become draining, so keeping your mind refreshed and relaxed is crucial. Find a quiet spot, put your headphones in, and concentrate on your breathing for a few minutes.
Play A Game On Your Smartphone
We’re never more than a click away from endless entertainment options, thanks to our smartphones. Gaming on your smartphone can be a great way to switch off for a few minutes and return to the boardroom, ready to knuckle down. You can find anything from roleplaying games to online casinos that will help you relax and kill time before the next meeting.
Learn Origami
Origami is a Japanese art of paper folding, and if there’s one thing an office has, it’s plenty of paper. There are plenty of paper folding techniques to learn, from simple folding for beginners to more complex projects. You can even delight your co-workers in the next meeting with some of your folded creations.
Do Some Online Shopping
Retail therapy is a tried and tested way to switch off and enjoy yourself. If you have some things you know you need, you could take the chance to order them now so that they’ll be there on your doorstep when you get home. You could also look at some of your favourite online shops to see if there’s anything that catches your fancy.
Research Restaurants For Dinner
One of the best things about being overseas is getting to try out all of the food options in your destination on the company’s dime. If you’re on an extended trip, then you’ll need a lot of options when evening rolls around. One great way to find places to eat is to ask your co-workers since locals almost always know the best places to grab some food.
Relax By Colouring
Colouring can be extremely relaxing – ideal for between meetings. You could consider investing in a colouring book for adults and a small travel kit of pens and pencils. If you want to conserve space, you could download a colouring app, which is perfect to fit in some colouring between meetings. There are options to suit any taste, from fashion to cars to landscapes.
Write In Your Diary
If you keep a diary, then between meetings is the perfect time to write out an entry. You could make notes about the day’s meetings, the sights you’ve seen around your overseas office, and your plans for the future. You could also incorporate the practice of gratitude into your diary by noting down several things you’re grateful for today.
Grab A Drink And Snack
If you’re in meetings all day, it can be hard to find the time for a proper meal, particularly if you don’t know how long a meeting will last. It is best to eat when you get the opportunity so that you aren’t clock watching during important meetings. When a meeting ends, consider stretching your legs and going in search of a hot drink and pastry from a local café.
