Being Present

One of my biggest challenges, when travelling on business, is to be present with where I am and not let myself get sucked into keeping up with emails and instant messenger. Prior to coming all the way down here (Panama, to visit some of our local sales teams), I had to consciously set expectations with myself and co-workers not to schedule meetings this week so I could focus on building relationships and marketing programs. Let me tell you, it's a CHALLENGE. My co-workers are completely understanding, but I don't always stick with my own plan.

My cell phone isn't set up for international calls (thank god) so I’m off the cell grid and in “airplane mode”. I'm not tempted to turn on the TV in my hotel room because there aren't that many channels, I don’t speak Spanish, and I'm recording all my favorite shows at home. Instead, I'm visiting to the hotel gym and doing yoga in my room.

Today in the office, I spent most of the day with a sales manager who will be my main contact going forward. She's fantastic. We hit it off immediately and got to know each other better over lunch. She's also a yoga teacher, my same age and leads a similar life as me. In order to do what I came here to do, I need to BE PRESENT and listen not only to her, but to her manager and their reps about what they need, what's possible and what doesn't work here. Email can largely wait. After all, I have my "out of office" alert turned on in Outlook. Now I just need to give myself permission to be disciplined in the practice of enjoying the moment, which is MUCH easier said than done. :)

Adios and Namaste, y'all!