How to Pack
Lightly for Trips
If you've ever tired from carrying too much luggage, you
know packing too much for a trip can cripple your effectiveness. Besides
looking helpless trying to balance three or more suitcases, you also run
the risk of losing things when you bring more than what you need.
Frequent travel quickly teaches you to pack lightly
but the following tips will help you get started now instead of learning
from experience:
• Make a checklist of everything you absolutely need.
• Go with a one-color look. This allows you to bring
fewer accessories like shoes and purses.
• Choose to pack clothes that serve dual purposes. You'll
have flexibility yet carry less.
• Only use carry-on luggage. See how long you can go
without checking your luggage. Carrying your luggage prompts you to pack
less.
• Buy miniatures. Toothpaste, shampoo, razors, slippers,
irons, clocks and recorders all come in small sizes.
• Take advantage of amenities. Bring only one or two
changes
of clothes and use hotel laundry services. And, buy film
for cameras as you need it.
 |
|
| Find Time to
Succeed on the Go |
If you've ever collected coins in a piggy bank, you know
how quickly little items can add up to big things. Time works in the same
way. As you use each small moment, it builds into an overall effective
use of time.
When traveling, this statement is emphasized even more.
The time you spend waiting on your flight, waiting for ground transportation
and, finally, for your hotel check-in can all be used to good advantage
if you prepare ahead of time. Consider these ways to find time to succeed
while on the go:
When you fly...
• Avoid flying at peak traveling times. These include
holidays, Friday and Sunday nights, and any flights
between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Book your flight as far in advance as possible. Have
a travel agent take care of all your arrangements (rental car and other
matters) so you won't have to spend your time on these items. Ask that
your agent contact you if schedules change.
When you're shopping...
• Keep your money categorized by denomination. This way,
you can quickly grab the bill you need.
• Always carry change so you'll have it for phone calls,
bus fares, or toll fees.
• Carry credit cards in alphabetized order so you can
quickly find the one you need.
|
• Ask clerks to hand you the receipt instead of dropping
it into the bag. This way, you can store them together and sort them later
instead of spending time finding them as well.
• Organize your purse or wallet so that regularly-used
items are easy to find and seldom-used items are tucked out of the way.
When you're having to wait...
• Write or dictate a short note.
‘ Scan through a magazine.
• Skim a report and mark parts for further study.
• Complete simple steps of a more complex project.
• Update your to-do list.
• Pay some bills.
• Organize your briefcase or purse.
• Review meeting notes.
• Daydream and jot down thoughts.
• Sort through your mail.
• Listen to a book on tape.
• Take a nap.
• Exercise by walking around.
• Practice relaxation breathing.
• Work on your expense account. |
|
