I used to travel 4-5 days a week. Up at the crack of PRE-DAWN and bed time
around 930 or 10, I missed many good Monday Night Football games - and even some
birthdays, family outings at the beach, and a relationship or two. It was not
always fun, but I have now been promoted out of that life.
As I look back on those years where I traveled 47 of 52 weeks, I think of the
tremendous personal stress, the "windshield time", and the countless hours with
noone but myself. Literally hundreds of nights spent at a variety of Hilton
properties (sometimes staying 30 miles away from my early-morning destination
just to gain points). I look back at all of these things... And a client that
rarely realized the effort being put forth on his behalf. A thankless
position... A winless battle of time and place... And... I wouldn't have missed
it for the world.
Before traveling for a living, I was mired behind a desk. I appreciated my place
in life, but I couldn't see myself as a desk jockey for my entire career. I
always said I wanted to see some of the world - I felt there was way too much I
hadn't seen for me to be in a window-less wasteland.
I was afraid of myself - I hadn't been alone... On my own... Since I started
dating my high school girlfriend. So, naturally, there was some hesitation
behind taking the reigns and predicting my own future. A company put their
confidence in me to get the job done - why not take a page out of their playbook
and have that confidence in myself.
For 2 solid years, I drove 50,000 plus miles a year for business. I became the
face of my company - and my retailer - in dozens of markets, and hundreds of
stores.
More importantly, looking out the windshield for sometimes 6-8 hours a day (even
after a day of hard work), I found something I never expected to find... The
real me.
My first trip on my own, I went to eat dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. I had to be
awake at 5:30 am. I went to dinner at 6 pm or so. I asked for a table for one.
Sitting down, I ordered a Bud Light - this was my first eye-opening
experience... No beer sales on Sundays in South Carolina. I had my chicken pasta
and I was gone. A very non-social and timid meal. No one to talk to, and I had
no idea what to expect for my next day, week, year(s) of work. I think that was
the last time I sat alone.
I found I wasn't the first person to travel for a living. There are
opportunities for socialization... Friends to be made... Joys to be had - just
don't be afraid to say "hello" to the other person at the bar.
Texas Hold 'Em Tournament in the hills of Georgia? Played in it - came in 2nd...
Alone. Snowy Norton, VA with nothing to do? I met the servers out for a drink
afterwards... Alone. Keno at and the Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta - did it and
LOVED it... Alone. Passing the quarter-million mile mark on my Nissan Maxima -
did it... Alone.
I can't pretend to remember the every mile I put on my car, every face I met, or
every hour I spent NOT sleeping so I could finish a forgettable conversation.
But, as my career has started to morph into something I love more than the day
before, I still look back fondly. And what I find the strangest part: one of my
favorite parts: doing it alone.
Now, when I travel, there is traditionally a travel partner or a group waiting
at the destination. I suppose that's the price for promotion - higher-profile
requires more attendance!
I know it makes me seem like less of a team player, but I enjoy being in charge.
It's a strange feeling sharing the itinerary. When we leave the hotel... Flight
times... The radio station... Dinner... Everything is a split decision. I
usually enjoy teammates - but I got so used to traveling solo, it will always be
a challenge. A welcome change.
But there will never be anything greater when on the road to the feeling of
coming home - and even as home has moved, the feeling of coming home is still
wonderful.
As Christmas nears, the meaning of "home" has begun to take on new form. I
caught myself saying I was going "home" for Christmas. Home, I suppose, is less
of where the heart is and more of what the heart needs.
A few nights back "Home" and I will surely miss my new "home" - and the cycle
will slowly progress towards long-term change. Christmas is - and always has
been - my favorite time of year. This one will be especially different. But...
Just like the way I travel now, there is a silver lining to all the changes. We
just have to embrace them and move with them.
Still... I can't wait to go home...
-D-
David R. Wooley
Category Manager
Anheuser-Busch
704-451-1143 (C)
314-445-3575 (F)
around 930 or 10, I missed many good Monday Night Football games - and even some
birthdays, family outings at the beach, and a relationship or two. It was not
always fun, but I have now been promoted out of that life.
As I look back on those years where I traveled 47 of 52 weeks, I think of the
tremendous personal stress, the "windshield time", and the countless hours with
noone but myself. Literally hundreds of nights spent at a variety of Hilton
properties (sometimes staying 30 miles away from my early-morning destination
just to gain points). I look back at all of these things... And a client that
rarely realized the effort being put forth on his behalf. A thankless
position... A winless battle of time and place... And... I wouldn't have missed
it for the world.
Before traveling for a living, I was mired behind a desk. I appreciated my place
in life, but I couldn't see myself as a desk jockey for my entire career. I
always said I wanted to see some of the world - I felt there was way too much I
hadn't seen for me to be in a window-less wasteland.
I was afraid of myself - I hadn't been alone... On my own... Since I started
dating my high school girlfriend. So, naturally, there was some hesitation
behind taking the reigns and predicting my own future. A company put their
confidence in me to get the job done - why not take a page out of their playbook
and have that confidence in myself.
For 2 solid years, I drove 50,000 plus miles a year for business. I became the
face of my company - and my retailer - in dozens of markets, and hundreds of
stores.
More importantly, looking out the windshield for sometimes 6-8 hours a day (even
after a day of hard work), I found something I never expected to find... The
real me.
My first trip on my own, I went to eat dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. I had to be
awake at 5:30 am. I went to dinner at 6 pm or so. I asked for a table for one.
Sitting down, I ordered a Bud Light - this was my first eye-opening
experience... No beer sales on Sundays in South Carolina. I had my chicken pasta
and I was gone. A very non-social and timid meal. No one to talk to, and I had
no idea what to expect for my next day, week, year(s) of work. I think that was
the last time I sat alone.
I found I wasn't the first person to travel for a living. There are
opportunities for socialization... Friends to be made... Joys to be had - just
don't be afraid to say "hello" to the other person at the bar.
Texas Hold 'Em Tournament in the hills of Georgia? Played in it - came in 2nd...
Alone. Snowy Norton, VA with nothing to do? I met the servers out for a drink
afterwards... Alone. Keno at and the Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta - did it and
LOVED it... Alone. Passing the quarter-million mile mark on my Nissan Maxima -
did it... Alone.
I can't pretend to remember the every mile I put on my car, every face I met, or
every hour I spent NOT sleeping so I could finish a forgettable conversation.
But, as my career has started to morph into something I love more than the day
before, I still look back fondly. And what I find the strangest part: one of my
favorite parts: doing it alone.
Now, when I travel, there is traditionally a travel partner or a group waiting
at the destination. I suppose that's the price for promotion - higher-profile
requires more attendance!
I know it makes me seem like less of a team player, but I enjoy being in charge.
It's a strange feeling sharing the itinerary. When we leave the hotel... Flight
times... The radio station... Dinner... Everything is a split decision. I
usually enjoy teammates - but I got so used to traveling solo, it will always be
a challenge. A welcome change.
But there will never be anything greater when on the road to the feeling of
coming home - and even as home has moved, the feeling of coming home is still
wonderful.
As Christmas nears, the meaning of "home" has begun to take on new form. I
caught myself saying I was going "home" for Christmas. Home, I suppose, is less
of where the heart is and more of what the heart needs.
A few nights back "Home" and I will surely miss my new "home" - and the cycle
will slowly progress towards long-term change. Christmas is - and always has
been - my favorite time of year. This one will be especially different. But...
Just like the way I travel now, there is a silver lining to all the changes. We
just have to embrace them and move with them.
Still... I can't wait to go home...
-D-
David R. Wooley
Category Manager
Anheuser-Busch
704-451-1143 (C)
314-445-3575 (F)
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