Today we revisit wisdom from the ages. In 50 BC Rome, philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero spoke the immortal words, “Before beginning, plan carefully.” (Top that, Socrates.) And while the man did not mince words, two thousand years later, his simple truth endures, especially from the perspective of the business traveler. Early planning can be your biggest ally, particularly this summer when travel numbers will set new record levels.

The sooner you plan a trip, the better your travel options: better fare availability (14-day advance purchase as opposed to full fare coach), better routing (nonstop flights as opposed to multi-stop with lengthy layovers), better seat selection (aisle seat as opposed to killer-B middle), better hotel selection (mid-town, four-star penthouse as opposed to rural freeway-accessible motor court), and better rental car models (Sporty Mustang convertible as opposed to a sporty mustang with saddle).  While it may seem like I'm stating the obvious, I contend that the traveler’s most formidable foe is not a crowded airport, oversold flight or surly gate agent; it’s an unsuspecting culprit called procrastination.