Business travel is, ideally, all about convenience and efficiency. Granted, many of us know that things don't always go as planned... If you've got a big (or small) business trip coming up soon, here are 5 tips to help you eliminate stress before and during your travel to ensure that your plans go as smoothly as possible.

Travel Preparation

Having a stress-free business trip starts long before the ride to the airport. The goal is to tie up potential loose ends before they have a chance to catch you off guard. Before you leave the office, be sure to print out essential documents like schedules and confirmations - this way you won’t rely solely on a feeble wifi connection or your phone’s data plan to get by. Want a useful hack to ensure easy access? Take a screenshot of your map and set it as your phone's wallpaper.

Pack Wisely

Opting for a carry-on instead of checking your luggage can save a lot of stress by having your belongings close by and not having to worry about them getting lost or sent to the wrong airport. Additionally, rolling your clothes is a smart way to keep them compact without wrinkling them. Another great tip is to stock up on reusable 3.4oz bottles that you keep filled with your travel products so that they're always ready to go and can fit into one quart sized ziplock bag. Finally don't forget the extra useful things that often don't make it into our suitcases: business cards, Tide To Go stain remover, breath mints, an extra pair of shoes, chargers for all your devices, and extra pens.

Get the Most from Your Down Time

Traveling inevitably contains many hurry-up-and-wait moments. If you find yourself sitting around even without internet access, you can go on your laptop or tablet and keep up with your tasks by saving them and processing them later. Whenever you can, look for opportunities to charge your devices because no one wants technology to die right when an important task needs to be accomplished. One useful hint to save battery is to keep your phone on airplane mode when you don't need to access the network (or be sure to carry an extra battery charging stick at all times)!

Make Smart Choices for the Long Run

If you are a frequent business traveler, you should consider always flying with the same airline so that you can gain special privileges which can really benefit you down the line. To save time going through security lines, apply (with a fee) for the TSA pre check so you can skip much of the line and avoid removing your shoes or taking your laptop out of your bag. Installing apps like TripIt (creates master itinerary), Concur (manage your travel expenses all in one place), and Skyscanner (searches flights, hotels, and car rentals and allows immediate in-app bookings) can be really useful to have on the go.

Have a Positive Attitude

Sounds like a no brainer, but many people forget this one and unconsciously look for reasons to complain. Even if things are going wrong, remember to be kind to those workers who are making your trip possible. Those individuals are likely not the sole cause of your frustration. By choosing to remain calm and treat everyone with respect, you can shape the environment around you for the better. After all, you are representing the ethics of the company you stand for.

Do you have any life-saving business trip tips? Let us know in the comments below!