The Moment: Travel 'Transitions'

Dear Anne Marie: I travel a lot in my current position, which is fine; it's the time when I first get back to the office that's a problem. I can't get back into the swing of things. In addition, everyone is waiting to talk to me and, of course, everything is urgent! What can I do?
    —Eric M.

Dear Eric: It sounds like you are a flexible, adaptable guy who likes being on the move. You enjoy the challenge and stimulation that travel offers: meeting new people, novel experiences and a constantly changing environment.

Managing The Moment

The "Moment to Manage" is your feeling of edginess. Travel offers you a welcome relief from daily routines and responsibilities. Like a kid let out of school, you experience freedom from normal constraints. Returning to the office requires you to once again operate within those constraints. This can leave you feeling 'penned in' which makes you restless, edgy and impatient.

The Game Plan

First, give yourself a 'transition' day. You are a human being, not a machine. Give yourself the time you need to shift gears from being in travel mode to being in the office. Let your first day back have some of the flow and spontaneity that you enjoy so much when traveling.

Second, have a plan for meeting people's needs. Resisting people's appeals for attention will not make them go away; it will only make them push harder. Start your first day back in your office doing something that allows you to be interrupted (like checking e-mail). Stop and give your full attention to anyone who approaches you with an "urgent" issue. In the long run, this will save you time.

Third, adopt the attitude you want to have. You are having trouble getting back into the swing of things at work, which is understandable. What you want is to feel focused and in control. Adopt that attitude even though you don't feel it yet. In this way you will be feeding the solution instead of the problem!

Fourth, don't make a big deal out of feeling awkward. So you are out of sorts your first day back from travel. It feels awkward, kind of like wearing a pair of pants one size too small. It sure is uncomfortable but its not going to kill you. Learn to notice the discomfort and then shift your focus to something else.

Finally, appreciate the diversity your job offers you. Rather than lament how tough it is to return to the office, focus instead on how lucky you are to have such a fun and interesting job. The discomfort of transitioning from travel to office is a small price to pay for a job so rich in opportunity.