Cyber Monday Sale! 50% Off All Access

What Travel Has to Teach About Running a Business The hassles and rewards of venturing far from home are a lot like entrepreneurship.

By Kimanzi Constable Edited by Dan Bova

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shutterstock

I've had the unique experience of being able to travel a decent amount over the last two years. Since the beginning of 2015, I've logged more than 400,000 miles in the air. In my business, I consult companies and speak at conferences, which has allowed me to travel to six continents for free. I've experienced some amazing countries and gotten paid a decent penny to do what I love.

If you have the chance to travel for business, you should embrace the opportunity. You learn some valuable life lessons stepping outside of your comfort zone. Yes, the time spent on airplanes and in airports can suck, but the adventure of seeing new cultures and different ways of life can help you as a person and as an entrepreneur. Travel gives you guidance that only life experience can bring. Those lessons can't be learned in business school. Here are a few of the lessons.

Related: Surprising Tricks: How to Sleep on a Plane

Things often are out of your control.

We like to be in control of what's going on in our business, but that's not a reality of life. Situations arise and things happen that you can't control. Travel teaches you this vividly. Flights get changed or canceled, hotel reservations disappear and you are stuck dealing with what you can't control. The truth is you don't have to always be in control.

Sometimes things aren't meant to work out in the way we had planned and hoped. The more you can adjust, the better an entrepreneur you will be. Life is full of chaos and how you deal with it determines how successful you are or can become. Sometimes plans looked good on paper or in our minds but don't work out. Don't be stuck in your position and miss what could be waiting if you work through a few turbulent moments.

Even the best plans need some room for flexibility.

Planning for your business is necessary, just as it is when you're arranging to travel. You should have a blueprint for where you're going and what you want to do in the next weeks, months and even year. But, as I mentioned in the last point, some situations are out of your control. Your plan needs flexibility, such as in travel.

I'm writing this article from Medellin, Colombia. I was in Panama City, Panama, training last week, but the company I'm consulting for currently needed me to travel to Colombia. This often happens in what I do and the industry I consult in. The flexibility has allowed me to make more money and experience a new country and culture. If you can be flexible with your plan, it could open the door in your business.

Related: Business Travelers: Don't Be Lured by the Siren Song of Free Wi-Fi

You can always go home.

I love to travel, and I cherish new experiences, but so much travel during these last two years has been exhausting. A few weeks ago, I was fed up and called Delta to get on a flight back to Maui immediately. Not knowing Spanish, getting behind on my work and the distance was too much. It felt good to know that I could just walk away and go home.

Having a business would be the best option for everyone if every day was filled with positivity and no problems --that's not reality. Not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur and not every business is meant to last. Sometimes you have to let go and regroup. You have to spend a little time thinking about what is the next logical step.

Related: Me First! These Airlines All Think They Should Rule Flights to Cuba.

Even though the Internet and social media have connected us, the world is a big place. There are many places you can travel for business or pleasure and experience the beauty of diversity. If your dream is to be a paid international speaker, it's possible.

Running is business isn't always about money or a certain level of success. The primary goal of starting a business should be to create freedom in your life and make an impact in the lives of those your business serves. You can make this impact throughout the world if you have the opportunity to travel.

Kimanzi Constable

Content Marketing Strategist

Kimanzi Constable is an author of four books and has been published in over 80 publications and magazines. He is the co-founder of Results Global Impact Consulting. He teaches businesses modern content strategies. Join him at RGIC.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Marketing

Master This Marketing Strategy and Elevate Your Business Performance

Study the secret to building effective marketing campaigns and growing a real audience for your business.

Business News

Tesla Cybertruck Factory Workers Reportedly Told 'You Do Not Need to Report to Work' for 3 Days This Week

According to a memo first viewed by Business Insider, Tesla factory workers in Austin were reportedly told to stay home Tuesday through Thursday.

Business News

Elon Musk Still Isn't Getting His Historically High Pay as CEO of Tesla — Here's Why

A second shareholder vote wasn't enough to convince Delaware judge Kathaleen McCormick.

Growing a Business

How Small Businesses Can Thrive on Amazon and Other Online Marketplaces in 2025

Learn about the benefits, challenges and strategies for succeeding on platforms like Amazon, Shopify and Etsy to reach global customers, build trust and grow your brand.

Leadership

Leadership vs. Management: How to Understand the Difference and 6 Ways to Bridge the Gap

Here are the key differences between leadership and management, highlighting their complementary roles and providing six strategies to develop managers into future leaders.

Legal

How Do You Stop Porch Pirates From Stealing Christmas? These Top Tips Will Help Secure Your Deliveries.

Over 100 million packages were stolen last year. Here are top tips to make sure your stuff doesn't get swiped.