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Top tips for living out of a suitcase

The consulting lifestyle can, at times, be akin to that of a hobo. Following a discussion with your resource manager you could be drafted onto a project at the other end of the country. Although this presents a challenge to an established routine (e.g. night-classes or long-term gym membership), the trade-off is the opportunity to see new places and enjoy the benefits of staying in a hotel.

Having spent 10 months of the last 16 working outside of London (including a stint in Switzerland), I think I’ve just about mastered the art of living out of a suitcase. Here are my top tips:

1. Invest in a decent, lightweight, small suitcase with wheels. Yes, I know wheelie suitcases are mobile obstacles for other commuters, but trust me; it’s a lot easier than lugging a holdall around – and your back will thank you for it!
2. Travel light – you will never wish you had that extra pair of shoes with you
3. Try and do your packing before the weekend – that way you don’t have a last minute panic on Sunday evening
4. Have a designated ‘work’ toiletry bag with a separate toothbrush, face cream etc to your ‘home’ supplies – saves a lot of time and hassle
5. If working abroad, try to only take hand luggage – if you are creative with packing you can fit a surprisingly large amount of stuff into permitted cabin baggage; many airlines will let you take a laptop bag in addition. Remember to buy miniature toiletries to avoid security nightmares at airports
6. Wear comfortable clothes to travel in – those killer heels might look fabulous but might not seem so great after a 2 mile walk in them. Sacrifice fashion for the sake of comfort during your commute. Just remember to change out of your trainers before that important client meeting!
7. Make the most of the hotel facilities – many hotels will have gym (or even spa) facilities, so you can use your evenings to keep up your fitness or even treat yourself to a massage.
8. Enjoy the cuisine – staying in hotels saves you the hassle of cooking so make the most of the opportunity to try out some new dishes. Be warned, your waistline will not thank you if you over indulge (I speak from experience here!)
9. Visit some of the local sites/attractions – some museums/art galleries have late night openings. It’s a great opportunity to see more of the area than the train station/your client’s office/your hotel.
10. Set aside some time for yourself – it’s good to socialise with your project colleagues, but you don’t have to do this every night. Nobody will take offence if you choose to spend the odd evening on your own catching up on work or Corrie!

Hopefully this will help you take the pain out of travelling and enjoy the perks of the consulting lifestyle!

Frances is an Associate Consultant who joined Capgemini in September 2008.

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