Ask anyone who travels for business and they’ll tell you it’s nothing like traveling for pleasure. Sure, there’s the expense account and the occasional nice meal. But quick sandwiches on airplanes and 14-hour work days are also part of the package. My former boss and mentor, Chuck Donofrio, had a very different view of business travel. He always carried hiking shoes in his bag, just in case an opportunity to check out the local fauna presented itself. I joined him on one of those excursions in Santa Fe and it was well worth the distraction.
Last week, I went to Minnesota to visit a new client. When I noticed one of the hotels near my client’s office in St. Paul was adjacent to the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge, I packed my sneakers along with my heels. Instead of just ordering room service breakfast and working from my room before my meeting (my normal routine), I crossed the street and descended into the refuge. The weather was cool and there was a light drizzle (I forgot to pack a sweat jacket). As I walked along, I focused on breathing in the fresh air and keeping an eye out for any sign of wildlife. During the entire hour-long journey, I thought of Chuck and wished he were with me to identify the birds I saw. I did manage to spot an American Goldfinch, but I really wanted to know about the huge bird I saw swooping into the valley.
I went back to the hotel and prepared for my meeting feeling grounded and refreshed. And knowing I won’t forget the sweat jacket on my next trip.