o handle. But ponder this; if you have heard the story about the guy that used to dance in his toll booth so he didn’t have to ‘die’ for eight hours every day, then you can start to relate to all those security people and what they have to go through each day. Their job is not too fun because they have to stand there all day watching other people going different and exciting places. And because most people are not practicing the right response, these guys have to listen to all the grumbling going on. So this is your chance to change someone’s perspective, liven their day, make someone happy. Put a big smile on your face, look directly at the people and say hello. Speak to them! Wouldn’t that make you feel good? And imagine how you could have changed not only the day for those security peopIf you have traveled much at all you have seen the articles each year on Road Warriors. These people travel thousands of miles each year and have some great stories to tell. But even if you are only a mini road warrior and maybe only travel 50,000 or 100,000 miles you still have the stories, challenges, and stresses of those travel miles. This is for you (and for the true road warriors – you are welcome to ‘listen’ too).

Many of you know the theory of E+R=O (Event plus your response equals the outcome of how you feel). You also know that there are some real challenges when traveling. But using the above theory we are going to see how we can come up against five biggest headaches in traveling and still find the joy within them.

Starting from the top, the first thing we come up against is getting to the airport. A lot of people find the complication of getting in and out of the airport because they drive their own cars. Then they have the additional high cost of parking in or near the terminal. Also they have to lug their suitcases either to a shuttle that takes them from the parking to the airport or walk from the terminal and drag the luggage from where they parked inside. You can take all that annoyance and put it aside. What I am suggesting is that you take the shuttle that will pick you up right in front of your home and deliver you directly in front of the terminal doors. It is cheaper than parking if you are gone for three days or more. And even though they may take a few minutes longer than driving directly, the drive can be more than worth it. For one thing you do not have to drive in traffic which can be so frustrating. The best thing is you share this ride with others. If you have not thought of it before, let me bring some ideas to your attention now. When you share a ride with others there are many bonuses. Sometimes it will be as simple as having a great conversation. Other times it can be a way to share great business ideas, get you known by more people, and even create a business partnership or a new client. It may be that you just make a new friend. The possibilities are endless and you do not want to pass up on this wonderful opportunity.

Second thing is the lines at the counter or the check-in computers. Nobody likes lines but again if you use the E+R=O theory; you will know you can wait around and get irritated which is one response or you can take it as an opportunity. Think about it, you are all sharing the same experience. Everyone is trying to get their ticket or get their luggage checked in. That creates a connection in itself. So make someone’s day and let them go ahead of you just to see their faces light up. Take the time to watch other people. That can be such an experience. How often do you get to see children excited about flying or going on vacation? Where else can you see whole families hugging, holding, and expressing their love for one another? You have to open yourself up to enjoy the encounters life can bring.

Next you have to go through security. My, that can be quite an event. So you have to strip off some of your items like shoes and coats and belts. No big deal that is easy enough to handle. But ponder this; if you have heard the story about the guy that used to dance in his toll booth so he didn’t have to ‘die’ for eight hours every day, then you can start to relate to all those security people and what they have to go through each day. Their job is not too fun because they have to stand there all day watching other people going different and exciting places. And because most people are not practicing the right response, these guys have to listen to all the grumbling going on. So this is your chance to change someone’s perspective, liven their day, make someone happy. Put a big smile on your face, look directly at the people and say hello. Speak to them! Wouldn’t that make you feel good? And imagine how you could have changed not only the day for those security peopl

gainst is getting to the airport. A lot of people find the complication of getting in and out of the airport because they drive their own cars. Then they have the additional high cost of parking in or near the terminal. Also they have to lug their suitcases either to a shuttle that takes them from the parking to the airport or walk from the terminal and drag the luggage from where they parked inside. You can take all that annoyance and put it aside. What I am suggesting is that you take the shuttle that will pick you up right in front of your home and deliver you directly in front of the terminal doors. It is cheaper than parking if you are gone for three days or more. And even though they may take a few minutes longer than driving directly, the drive can be more than worth it. For one thing you do not have to drive in traffic which can be so frustrating. The best thing is you share this ride with others. If you have not thought of it before, let me bring some ideas to your attention now. When you share a ride with others there are many bonuses. Sometimes it will be as simple as having a great conversation. Other times it can be a way to share great business ideas, get you known by more people, and even create a business partnership or a new client. It may be that you just make a new friend. The possibilities are endless and you do not want to pass up on this wonderful opportunity.

Second thing is the lines at the counter or the check-in computers. Nobody likes lines but again if you use the E+R=O theory; you will know you can wait around and get irritated which is one response or you can take it as an opportunity. Think about it, you are all sharing the same experience. Everyone is trying to get their ticket or get their luggage checked in. That creates a connection in itself. So make someone’s day and let them go ahead of you just to see their faces light up. Take the time to watch other people. That can be such an experience. How often do you get to see children excited about flying or going on vacation? Where else can you see whole families hugging, holding, and expressing their love for one another? You have to open yourself up to enjoy the encounters life can bring.

Next you have to go through security. My, that can be quite an event. So you have to strip off some of your items like shoes and coats and belts. No big deal that is easy enough to handle. But ponder this; if you have heard the story about the guy that used to dance in his toll booth so he didn’t have to ‘die’ for eight hours every day, then you can start to relate to all those security people and what they have to go through each day. Their job is not too fun because they have to stand there all day watching other people going different and exciting places. And because most people are not practicing the right response, these guys have to listen to all the grumbling going on. So this is your chance to change someone’s perspective, liven their day, make someone happy. Put a big smile on your face, look directly at the people and say hello. Speak to them! Wouldn’t that make you feel good? And imagine how you could have changed not only the day for those security peop

g you do not have to drive in traffic which can be so frustrating. The best thing is you share this ride with others. If you have not thought of it before, let me bring some ideas to your attention now. When you share a ride with others there are many bonuses. Sometimes it will be as simple as having a great conversation. Other times it can be a way to share great business ideas, get you known by more people, and even create a business partnership or a new client. It may be that you just make a new friend. The possibilities are endless and you do not want to pass up on this wonderful opportunity.

Second thing is the lines at the counter or the check-in computers. Nobody likes lines but again if you use the E+R=O theory; you will know you can wait around and get irritated which is one response or you can take it as an opportunity. Think about it, you are all sharing the same experience. Everyone is trying to get their ticket or get their luggage checked in. That creates a connection in itself. So make someone’s day and let them go ahead of you just to see their faces light up. Take the time to watch other people. That can be such an experience. How often do you get to see children excited about flying or going on vacation? Where else can you see whole families hugging, holding, and expressing their love for one another? You have to open yourself up to enjoy the encounters life can bring.

Next you have to go through security. My, that can be quite an event. So you have to strip off some of your items like shoes and coats and belts. No big deal that is easy enough to handle. But ponder this; if you have heard the story about the guy that used to dance in his toll booth so he didn’t have to ‘die’ for eight hours every day, then you can start to relate to all those security people and what they have to go through each day. Their job is not too fun because they have to stand there all day watching other people going different and exciting places. And because most people are not practicing the right response, these guys have to listen to all the grumbling going on. So this is your chance to change someone’s perspective, liven their day, make someone happy. Put a big smile on your face, look directly at the people and say hello. Speak to them! Wouldn’t that make you feel good? And imagine how you could have changed not only the day for those security peop

response or you can take it as an opportunity. Think about it, you are all sharing the same experience. Everyone is trying to get their ticket or get their luggage checked in. That creates a connection in itself. So make someone’s day and let them go ahead of you just to see their faces light up. Take the time to watch other people. That can be such an experience. How often do you get to see children excited about flying or going on vacation? Where else can you see whole families hugging, holding, and expressing their love for one another? You have to open yourself up to enjoy the encounters life can bring.

Next you have to go through security. My, that can be quite an event. So you have to strip off some of your items like shoes and coats and belts. No big deal that is easy enough to handle. But ponder this; if you have heard the story about the guy that used to dance in his toll booth so he didn’t have to ‘die’ for eight hours every day, then you can start to relate to all those security people and what they have to go through each day. Their job is not too fun because they have to stand there all day watching other people going different and exciting places. And because most people are not practicing the right response, these guys have to listen to all the grumbling going on. So this is your chance to change someone’s perspective, liven their day, make someone happy. Put a big smile on your face, look directly at the people and say hello. Speak to them! Wouldn’t that make you feel good? And imagine how you could have changed not only the day for those security peop

o handle. But ponder this; if you have heard the story about the guy that used to dance in his toll booth so he didn’t have to ‘die’ for eight hours every day, then you can start to relate to all those security people and what they have to go through each day. Their job is not too fun because they have to stand there all day watching other people going different and exciting places. And because most people are not practicing the right response, these guys have to listen to all the grumbling going on. So this is your chance to change someone’s perspective, liven their day, make someone happy. Put a big smile on your face, look directly at the people and say hello. Speak to them! Wouldn’t that make you feel good? And imagine how you could have changed not only the day for those security people but also for others around you!

The next step as you all know is going to your gate. And what happens there is more waiting. Again time to put this wait to good use. So often I see people just sitting around right by their gate. Some read newspapers which is not bad in itself; that is using the time wisely. Some actually continue to work. While that too can be good I am going to offer a new outlook to this. First off if you are so busy that you are working even while waiting for a plane, I am going to guess you probably don’t get much time for exercise. Since you are going to be sitting on a plane and sitting in a car to get to your destination, I am going to suggest that you don’t sit now. Get up and walk the terminal. It feels great to be up and around. It makes the time pass faster. And it may even give you a little of that exercise that we all need anyway.

Now comes the actual airplane ride. How boring can that be? Again that is your choice. What a plethora of opportunities we have here. The choices are endless but what I am going to suggest is a change of pace. Make each flight a new occasion to do something different. If you normally work, put that aside and play a game like Sudoku or a crossword puzzle. If you normally read, put the book down and have a pleasant conversation with the person next to you. If you don’t ever slow down to watch a movie, bring a DVD player or watch one on your computer. If you have ever thought about writing an article for a magazine, do it now while you have uninterrupted time. If it has been a long time since you have written a love letter to your significant other, do so now. Anything you can do to enhance the flight or make it different than every other flight before is a good thing.

Does this sound like a lot positive thinking? You betcha! But if you aren’t doing these things now and you find that your trips are boring, frustrating, or ho hum, don’t you think it is time for a change? Start now and just like everything else you learn it may take some practice. You have to fly anyway. So now you can decide how your response to each part of that traveling is going to be. Aren’t you ready to find the joy again in traveling? I hope so. See you in the air!!