Traveling Tips

Back in September I went on vacation and wrote about an organized packing process (Going on Vacation).  Now it actually is a popular time to travel, so I wanted to expound on that a bit.

There's more to traveling then just packing the essentials (although that is important).  There are things to consider about the home you're leaving behind, the regular activities you might be skipping and the activities you might enjoy on your trip.

Don't forget to do some things at home before you head out! 
1) Water the plants
2) Make sure all the garbage has been taken out.  If garbage day is while you're gone, make sure you've arranged for someone to take it to the curb for you.
3) Make sure at least one trustworthy neighbor knows you'll be gone and for how long.  They can contact you if something happens to the house while you're gone.
4) Depending on how long you're gone, you might want to cancel mail or newspaper delivery.  Or, have someone come pick it up for you.
5) Do any of the lights need timers?
6) Set the heat low enough so pipes won't freeze, but the house won't be toasty warm while you're away.

7) Do you have pets that need to be taken care of while you're away?
8) Make sure the windows and doors are all shut and locked!

Check the calendar before you take off!
1) What activities are on the calendar during the time you'll be gone?
2) Do you have to notify anyone that you will not be attending these events?
3) Do they need rescheduling? 
4) Do you need to send replacements in your stead?
5) Are these activities that you can accomplish on your trip?  For example, if there's a note on the calendar to write up a report for the condo association, can you take the information with you?  Will you have time to tackle the task?

Remember what you'll be doing while you're away!
1) Are there special activities you'll need special clothes or equipment to do on your trip?  Think snorkeling, skiing, hiking, boating and the like.
2) Will you need any information to complete your travels? Travel books, maps, apps for your phone to translate languages or identification.
3) If the family pet is going with you on this adventure, make sure you are able to keep the pet where you plan to stay and pack supplies for him/her.
4) Are you supposed to be bringing gifts?  Food?  This will also help you complete your packing list.

These tips will help you have a lovely trip and an easy transition back in to everyday life when you return.  Happy travels!

I Never Have Enough Time!

As I sat down to write this post, I thought "I don't have time to write this week!"  Which is exactly what I will write about....

I use to-do lists.  I use one calendar for all my appointments and reminders.  I'm  a professional organizer, for goodness' sake!  And, I still find it difficult to get all the things I plan on doing done in the amount of time I've got.

In other words, you're not alone.

Sure, my calendar and to-do list are huge helps.  For example: today.  I knew that I had an "office" day, meaning I'm not working with clients today.  So, I look to my to-do list (a running, ever-changing list that sits atop my desk..and sometimes travels in my bag with me).  Today's tasks:
- Answer emails/phone calls
- Write blog post
- Exercise
- Laundry
- Holiday baking

Doesn't seem too bad for one day, right?  Considering I'm not even leaving the house?

The laundry is the easiest to tackle.  I can toss a load in and out and fold while things are baking or cooling.  No worries there.  And, I've clearly made myself take a break from whatever else I've been doing all day to write the blog post....albeit at 4:50PM.  Just barely making it into my official work day.  It's getting done, though; I won't worry about that one.

I'll exercise tonight...  I swear....

(read: I struggle with this one like everyone else)

Now, here's the kicker: baking and catching up with communications are the last two things.  I've been jumping in between the two since about 11 this morning, when I decided it was time to start doing something productive (although I had already cleaned my place, so the time wasn't totally wasted). 

I have 4 things to make for the holidays.  I have a handful of emails and calls to respond to.  I'm attempting the stagger approach.  Oscillating back and forth when one is wearing me out.  How am I doing?

It's now 4:54PM.  Cookie batch #1 has dough chilling in the fridge, which will be ready in a couple hours.  Cookie batch: #2 cooling.  Cookie batch #3: done!  Cookie batch #4: cooling.  So, the two that are cooling will need to be cut later and batch #1 will need to be made.  I've got three emails left to respond to.

So, why do I feel like I don't have any time left?  Part of it is because I know I have to have all my baking done today; I have a deadline.  What I could have done is started baking over the weekend and made one batch a day, spacing it out.  I would have small pieces to do daily, but be finished by the same deadline.  Applicable to any project.  Slow and steady wins the race, right?

Another thing I could have done was to concentrate on one task at a time, not flip-flop between my computer and my oven.  Perhaps if I sat down and did all the administrative tasks at one time, I'd get through them before noon.  Then, I'd have the entire day to spend baking.  I wouldn't have that voice in the back of my head saying, "Hurry!  You still have X, Y and Z to do today!"

Sigh......

So, next time I'm going to try it differently.  And, perhaps next time you're feeling pressure to get so many things done with only minutes to spare during the day, perhaps you'll try a different approach, too? 

De-Clutter Your Gift List

Now that the holiday season is upon us, we're all shopping around for gifts to give this winter.  How often do you find yourself returning to stores because there's something you forgot to pick up?  Are you constantly returning things because it was the wrong size, color or you'd already bought a gift for that person?  Let's clean up that gift list!

The best place to start is by creating your shopping list.  Write down whoever comes to mind first.  Then, sit down with the list and your address book and fill in any gaps.  You might have three categories of gifts to give: 1) give a gift, 2) give homemade treats (baked goods or crafts) and 3) just a holiday card.  Some people may fall into multiple categories - that's okay.  Make your list as expansive as possible.

Count how many cards you'd like to send.  Will they be for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or just the holiday season?  How many will you need of each kind?  Write that down!

How many people are you making something for?  Figure out what you're planning on making and how much supplies are needed for one batch or completed craft.  Multiply it by how many you'd like to make.

If you're one of the many, many homes that has a stash in a closet somewhere of "gifts to give," we'll visit there next.  Take your list to that stash.  Is there anything in there that's appropriate to give to anyone on your list?  Pull it out and place it near where ever you'll be putting the gifts once they're all in the house (preferably near the gift wrap!).

Who's left?  Have an idea of what you'd like to spend on each person/couple/family.  Write that down near their name.  Also, mark down any ideas you have for a gift or sizes you might need. 

Check your coupons!  Now is the time to grab the store coupons or discount cards you've been shoving in an envelope or the car door for the past few months.  Check expiration dates. 

Your list will look something like this:

- 30 Holiday cards
Baked goods for 5 people:
- 1 bag flour
- 2 boxes sugar
- 3 packs butter
- sprinkles
Gifts for:
- John: $35  books
- Rebbecca: $35  size medium
- Morris: $50 Toys 'R Us
- 6 gifts cards to Target for $15 for co-workers
- Mom and Dad: $75 flowers
- Tanya: $20 Disney movies - have in the gift closet already!

Now, which stores will you visit to get these items?  Know where they are and the hours they're open.  Map out your route ahead of time, based on how many of the stores you'd like to go to in this trip. 

No more doubling back because you forgot something, didn't have the discount card or weren't thinking about how to get from store to store!