As you likely already know, being an entrepreneur takes a lot of hard word, and it’s also very time-consuming, which is why many entrepreneurs implement an all-star work-life balance. As a result of being very productive, entrepreneurs are always looking for better ways to utilize every hour in the day.
That is why many entrepreneurs do work while they are on a plane. In some cases, this is the perfect time to do work — well, assuming your flight isn’t flooding with turbulence and you have enough arm space to actually work, that is. You see, plane rides provide a great opportunity to get ahead of your schedule.
While many people take the entertainment route (listen to music, play phone games, watch a movie, etc.), there are an endless amount of entrepreneurs who see this time in the air as an opportunity.
Let’s get to the big question you have all been waiting for. How can entrepreneurs be successful on a plane? Let the points below be your guide.
How To Be Successful On A Plane If You Are An Entrepreneur
- Do Work
- Spend This Extra Time Preparing For Your Big Business Meeting
- Brainstorm Ways To Make Your Life Easier
- Actually Talk To People
Do Work
Why not? What else are you going to do on a plane? You can’t exercise, you can’t go to the store, you can’t make phone calls, etc. You could use this time to relax, which is what many people do, or you could use this time to get ahead of your schedule and/or competition.
Consider it a blessing that you have things to work on. After all, being on a plane can be a very boring
time, but having a ton of work can make this time fly by. Not to mention, if you are focused, then a flight can help you eliminate all of the distractions that you deal with on a day-to-day basis at the office. Really use this time to focus on your projects.
Even if it is a bit awkward on the plane (you don’t have much personal space), it’s better to do any amount of work than to have it hanging over your head the entire flight. Personal space might not be offered on a plane ride, but plug in your headphones, pull out your laptop/tablet and try to knock out some projects. At the very least, try to knock out easier tasks.
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” – Stephen King
Spend This Extra Time Preparing For Your Big Business Meeting
Are you nervous for your big business meeting?
Instead of worrying about the million different ways it can go wrong, spend this extra time preparing for your meeting. Go over your notes, make new notes, make sure your power point presentation covers everything you want to talk about, rehearse, etc.
If you are worried about a possible hole being in your presentation, then think of ways to fill that hole. You should enter your business meeting knowing there are no issues with your all-star presentation. To be honest, your presentation should be golden by the time you even step foot on the plane.
While you shouldn’t be ripping your presentation apart and filling in holes left and right, you can spend this time making minor tweaks. With that said, if your presentation is good to go and you know the ins and outs of your notes, then let it be. Don’t work on something just to work on it. In other words, if you are prepared for your big business meeting, then spend this time working on something else.
“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” – Bruce Lee
Brainstorm Ways To Make Your Life Easier
Part of having an entrepreneurial mindset is thinking of ways to make things better, to make things easier. If you are all caught up on your work, you are 100 percent ready for your business meeting and you can’t think of anything else to do, then brainstorm ways to make your life easier. This can involve a business or personal problem.
Don’t just sit on a plane and waste two to four hours (or however long your flight is). Use this time to your advantage by solving your problems, or your business’ problems.
“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” – Alan Lakein
Actually Talk To People
Drop the headphones, forget about the work (if you are ahead of your schedule, of course) and actually talk to people. Now, this doesn’t mean to go row by row and say hello to everyone you see. No, this is more simple than that.
Talk to the people who you are sitting next to. Have them tell you their life story. What is the point of all of this? Well, networking, of course, which is a big part of being an entrepreneur.
You never know who you are going to meet. You could be sitting next to a billionaire on your flight, and this person could end up being a major partner for your future company. Or, this person could simply give you advice on the problems you are currently struggling with. Or, and this is the really cool part, you might be the billionaire who someone else is sitting next to. You could end up being this person’s mentor on the flight.
The person you are sitting next to might also fit into your business’ target audience, and you can get feedback from this person. You can also see how your target audience thinks just by listening to this one person alone.
Of course, not everyone likes to chat on a flight, so just make sure the person you are sitting next to wants to talk before you drop your next great idea on them.
“Networking is marketing. Marketing yourself, marketing your uniqueness, marketing what you stand for.” – Christine Comaford
If you are a successful entrepreneur, there is a good chance you are going to be taking a ton of flights. Instead of looking at this time as dead time (time where you can’t get work done), change your mindset altogether and look at this time as the perfect opportunity to achieve success.
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