Laura’s March Travels: New York City

This month I went back to New York City for work, and while it was a lot of fun, there was also a lot of “hustling to the next meeting” involved.

If there is something I like about traveling to New York for work is that I’m often challenged in my thinking and how I work when I’m there. In this trip’s agenda, I added a lot of follow-up meetings with people that I briefly met in the past or was introduced to by a mutual friend a previous trip. I’m currently trying to expand my professional network and NYC is a great place to do that in.

Why would one want to expand their professional network? What does that mean exactly? Well, for starters, it all begins with a new vision, goal, or project in mind. And, my friends, I have lots of them that are always circling mine. Some of the ideas of what I want to do are so “out there” that I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to bringing them to fruition. I do know this, having a vision is key to creating goals you want to reach, which then turn into projects for one to build.

Some of these “ideas” require me to meet people in other industries. And when I do, my meetings are always challenging by forcing me to learn new things, how things operate in other areas of business, and of course, I have to try to put the puzzle pieces together to see if they’d even fit.

And, not every meeting is for me to get something out of it. I too am required to give some of my time to other people who need guidance in areas that I can provide, making the time exchange even out. It’s like the universe knows that I need to give some of my time and expertise to some people if I’m to receive from others.

Besides business meetings, I always make time to schedule something fun, like a new workout or seeing a girlfriend. This trip I decided to try out Shadowbox, a boxing studio in Chelsea to see what their workouts were all about. While the class was fun, I have to admit that Erika’s boxing class back home is still my favorite.

Towards the end of the week, I also made time to go to Soulcycle with my friend Cara. What followed our spin date were amazing Poke bowls in Brooklyn. Poke bowls are raw fish (think sushi) salads on top of a bowl of rice. Essentially, it’s like sushi but in a bowl.

The week finally came to an end with freezing rain, a delayed flight home, and just ok airport food. Which of course, I’m often asked what I eat when I travel so here you have what I ate at the airport on the way home.

One thing is for sure; there is no such thing as going after what you want without a little bit of hustle and positive attitude. Some of the things I learned this trip are going to be life changing for my business; that is something I’m sure of!