4 tips for frequent business travellers

Occasionally, an EA's life includes regular travel. While getting to see new places is enjoyable, in order to ensure that your trip goes well you need to make sure you're prepared. Here are four tips to help you make regular travel a breeze.

1. Create a packing list

It's all too easy to forget something when you're tired or packing last minute. One of the first things you should do is create a packing list - it takes the effort out of packing and helps make sure you always have everything you need.

2. Pack light

Many people find this tip a difficult one to follow, but in the long run it's well worth the effort. If you can reduce your luggage to a carry on, not only does it make getting on a flight a lot easier and less stressful, but you also don't have to worry about lugging around a heavy bag once you've reached your destination.

3. Have a travel bag prepped

If you have all your travel necessities packed and prepared to go already, this can save you a lot of time and trouble. For example, it's easy to have your travel toiletries and any plug adaptors already packed, as well as a few pairs of spare clothes you can use for any journey.

4. Stay hydrated

Flying dehydrates you. When you land, this can mean you don't feel as at the top of your game as you'd like. To minimise this, drink more water than you might usually. Consider taking hand cream or face moisturiser on the plane with you as well, if you suffer from dry skin.

How to edit your own writing

Being able to accurately and clearly communicate through the written word is important, especially within a business setting. One of the easiest ways to improve your writing skills is to simply take the time to read back over and edit your own work. Here are three tricks to try to help you improve your writing abilities.

1. Take a break

If you have the time to spare, step away from your work for a short while. This space can help you come back to it with fresh eyes.

2. Read it aloud

Reading what you've written out loud slows you down, allowing you to better spot any potential errors. Additionally, if you're stumbling over sentences it's a good indication that you need to re-write them. The best writing should roll off your tongue.

3. Read it as if you didn't write it

As much as possible, forget that you know what you're trying to say. Instead, simply read what's actually there and draw your conclusions from that. Are you getting the message you intended to convey? Or have you not actually communicated your point?

Cutting down on phone time

In the digital age, it's all too easy and common to find your time eaten up with staring at your phone. Between using it for work, to keeping in contact with friends and family or simply for entertainment, the hours can quickly stack up. If you're wanting to spend less time looking down, here are a few tips to help you cut back on your phone usage.

1. Delete and re-shuffle

Much of people's mindless scrolling on their phones simply comes from habit. Luckily, something as simple as re-organising your phone can help break any routines you have. Try deleting any apps that you really don't need, and hiding ones like Facebook or Instagram on another screen where it's not instantly accessible. Turn off notifications as well - this way you won't get reminded of the app while you're busy living life.

Another option here is to change the colours on your phone to grayscale. Not only is it jarring enough to make you stop and consider what you're doing on your phone, it also removes some of the enjoyment that bright, attractive colours give you, which helps keep you hooked to your screen. You can do this through the settings on your phone.

2. Consider an app blocker

It's possible to install an app that either blocks you from using your phone, or denies access to specific time wasters, for given periods of time.This is a great option if you struggle with self-discipline, as it takes it out of your hands entirely.

3. Use your free time

The best way to break your phone habit entirely is to create a new routine that fills up your free time. This way you're less likely to slip back into old habits when you're bored - instead you'll find your time taken up with things you actually enjoy and that are adding value to your life.

Combating focus killers

Everyone has had days where it feels like you attention never settles on one thing longer than for a few seconds. It can make completing work impossible, as well as being frustrating and tiring. What are some of the common reasons that you can't focus, and how can you minimise their impact?

1. You're multitasking

It's easy to do. Everything feels like it needs to be done now, and you end up flicking between tasks as if they're hot potatoes you can't keep hold of for too long. What can you do about it?

Try and take control of your environment. Put headphones on if you can to minimise external distractions. Close all tabs except ones necessary to a single task on your computer, and hide your phone away out of easy reach.

Create a priority list to work on as well. This gives you clear direction for where your attention is needed most. Don't let yourself start anything new until each task is marked off, and only check items like emails in between each job.

2. You're tired

A lack of sleep can leave your brain fuzzy and unwilling to focus. However, brewing the strongest coffee your taste buds can handle isn't the right answer. Until you can get that good night's sleep, here are a few things that might help you overcome tiredness:

• Go for a walk. Fresh air and exercise can help clear the cobwebs from your brain.

• Have a glass of water. Sometimes, the effects of dehydration and sleep deprivation are one and the same. You might find out that it's not a good night's sleep that you need, but plain old H2O.

Challenging your negative self-talk

Self-talk is a powerful influence on how people feel. After all, your own thoughts are what you hear most consistently. While people could use this to their advantage, often times they're not even aware that they're participating in self-talk. This opens the door for negative thoughts.

Understanding what you're doing helps you fight the negativity and stop it influencing how you're feeling. One way to combat pessimistic self-talk is to actively recognise and challenge it. For example, if you heard a close friend talking about themselves in the way that you're treating yourself, would you let them? More likely, you'd remind them why their doubts are unfounded, and help them figure out a way forward.

It's also important not to judge yourself for negative thoughts, or anxiety. Everyone deals with doubt and worry - it's not something you should feel guilty about. Instead, it's more important to focus on how you're going to change your self-talk into something more positive.

Reducing the amount of negative self-talk you have to deal with is likely to leave you feeling better and more positive about your ability to take on challenges.