The Buck STARTS Here

The Buck STARTS Here

My
grandfather used to tell me that “99% of perceptible change in this world
starts with yourself.”  As a six
year old, I had no idea what that meant. 
As an adult I’m fully aware of what it means, but it’s still hard to put
into practice; especially since I have two “selves” these days.  

As a
regular husband and person at home, I’m aware of the environmental changes we
humans are bringing to the earth and while I’m not ready to have Al Gore
“bronzed” or anything, I do what I can.  I bought a programmable thermostat, I use a
bath towel for a week before laundering it, I replaced light switches with
sensor switches that turn themselves off when I leave a room, I walk more, take
my bike to the store, etc.

As a
frequent business traveler however, my traveling business persona is more… what’s the opposite of green?  Red?  Yea as a traveler, I’d have to say I’m pretty
red.  I find myself using two or three
bath towels a DAY while on travel.  I
rinse my mouth after brushing with the little plastic cup, and then I pitch the perfectly useful little cup into the trashcan.  I open a new little soap and shampoo
every day, even though more than half the little bottle is still leftover from
the day before.  I sleep in the same
sheets for a week at home, but I get downright pissed if I accidentally leave
the “Do Not Disturb” card in the lock and the maid skips my room.

Why?

Only
recently have I started to really think about that behavior.  I mean, they give me four full sized bath
towels… shouldn’t I be able to stretch those across a week?  Couldn’t I stop by the front desk and ask for
another shampoo if I run out of the first one? 
Wouldn’t I be just as well-rested if I made my own bed and used the same
sheets for a few days?  Would the maid
staff, laundry, etc, appreciate a break from the stuff in my room for once?

I think the
answer to all of these is a resounding, “Heck Yea!”

So, try to
be the same person on the road that you are at home.  Now that I think about it, I love my big
fluffy Ralph Lauren steel gray bath towel so much, I might actually start
traveling with it if it will fit in my suitcase!

For more
tips on business travel, stop by my blog called “Traveling Business Class.”  You’ll be glad you did!