Most people reading this want to do the right thing. Right? I mean, God built us that way. But, so often it seems we allow ourselves to be so easily influenced by our co-workers, our customers, our friends, or sometimes even our spouses.
That is true in all aspects of our work, but it is especially true when we travel. There is a long standing set of rules and practices that seem to unfold on the road, isn’t there? And, the most difficult practices seem to take place at the end of the day.
There are always customers and/or co-workers who want to go have a drink, which leads to a long dinner and more drinks. Sometimes dinner includes both men and women. Sometimes the group wants to go somewhere after dinner. It’s especially difficult if it’s your prospect or customer who wants to go.
In this economy, we often have a lot on the line on these trips, don’t we? We don’t want to risk damaging a relationship. It could cost us a sale, a promotion or simply credibility. Or it could cost us more…like our marriage.
These difficult situations put us at a decision point, don’t they? Are we going to be a lukewarm believer? Or, will we trust the teachings in the Bible?
What will your story be?
Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving. Proverbs 4:14-15 (NLT)
David,
As someone who travels approx. 50% of the time, your post today hits home.
I have been traveling at this level for work since 2006, and I will have to admit, the first 6 months were very stressful….until I met author Matthew Kelly for the first time. We have since developed a friendship, but it was during the first time I heard him speak that a light bulb went off for me. My travel schedule was grueling and taxing in almost every area of my life – but it was also the perfect opportunity to deny all of the excuses I had been using to avoid doing all of the things I knew I SHOULD be doing. “I don’t have time to work out”. “It’s too hard to eat right”. “I don’t have time to read books or study the word”. Well, guess what…when I am required to be traveling away from home (and all of the time commitments and responsibilities that accompany being home) – I don’t have any more excuses! There is NO reason why I can’t work out after work at the hotel (in the state of the art gym that doesn’t require a membership). There is NO reason why I can’t eat right (when I am not the one cooking and I can order from a menu of healthy alternatives). There is NO reason why I can’t leave the TV off after dinner or my workout and spend some quiet time in the hotel room reading and/or having some prayer time. In fact, I’ve even taken the opportunity to fast during short business trips if I’ve had something specific on my mind and needed a little encouragement to focus.
I’ve tried to take what should be a grueling part of work, and flipped it completely on it’s head – and you would be amazed at how GREAT it feels! Admittedly, I’m not 100% consistent because some trips don’t allow much down time, but my success rate is MUCH higher than if I were trying to do these things juggling office and home in my home city.
Steve
David – Please allow me to be a bit more gritty in response to your great feedback. Before Jesus changed my life, I not only went along to “those” places for entertainment (customers or not) but was leading the pack most of the time. After Christ, I bravely declined to take a customer out but left my sales guy hanging by telling him it was okay for him. The next day, I apologized to him and promised him that this would no longer be required for any of the sale team and that we could steer the customer to something else (preferably golf). Since then, I have found that making the policy clear up front will make it much easier on you, your team, and your customers. Will you lose some business? Maybe, but is the business really worth the compromise? Your call – but if you are serious about following Christ, you already know the right thing to do. Go ahead and do it!!