I LOVE travel – everything about it. Well, almost everything.  NOT the packing, unpacking…and the extra effort it takes to stay healthy.

So, when I started living around the world six years ago, and knowing I was going to be doing a lot of travel, by choice, I decided that I was going to make even the UN-FUN parts of travel… enjoyable, ease-ful and healthy.

Note:  I’ve written this as 2-part blog so it’s easy to digest and put into action. Today, I’ll give you my favorite strategies for easeful preparing + packing, for your business, and for you when you return home.  On my next blog I’ll dive into how to stay physically and emotionally healthy while traveling.

 

1.  Eliminate the “Shoot – I forgot my ____, again!”

Keep a running “My Travel List” of the things you typically forget AND what you think of while on trips (this last trip I was wishing  I’d brought my little wooden lemon reamer for lemon water in the am!). Have at least 2 lists as they require different packing strategies:

• My Travel List – Business
• My Travel List – Vacation

What’s my favorite App for this?  I use Reminders on my iPhone as it’s super easy to use (example shown above) and I continually add to my lists.

 

2.  Use Your Subconscious

A week before your trip, designate an area (corner of your bedroom, a chair or even a bed in a spare room) to start collecting things you know you’ll want or need on your trip.

Our subconscious works on our behalf 24/7 – it will think of items a whole week before – so you can employ it to your advantage. All kind of things will come to mind – books, food items, gifts, and those shoes you’ll need for _____ .

This simple strategy helps take the stress, pressure and anxiety out of packing at the last moment. I find I actually ENJOY packing when I spread it out over a week and let my subconscious do a good part of the work.

 

3.  Create Space BEFORE you leave home

Set up an “out of office” email auto responder to let your clients know you’re on vacation or a business trip. This makes your whole trip more easeful as you’re setting the correct expectations for your clients – that you won’t be available as quickly or readily as you normally are when in your office. This allows for flexibility and breathing room when traveling (which invariably you’ll need) and helps your clients feel included and know what to expect.

Here’s the one I just used for my trip to the US for 8 weeks.  Feel free use / customize for you in anyway:

Hello _____,

Thank you for reaching out! I will be traveling in the US from April 25 – June 23, so my email response may be a little slower than usual. I will get back to you as soon as possible though :)

If you need immediate assistance, please email my assistant at m@cm.com

If you have a USANA related question, please call customer care directly at _____.

Looking forward to connecting when I’m back in the office!

Lots of love,

Carmen xo

 

4.  Maximize Air Travel Time

I absolutely LOVE flying – the hours when I’m “between time and worlds”. No one can call me, distractions are at a minimum (as long as you have your earphones in) – so I have incredibly focused time for planning, creating, writing, replying to emails and even getting my inbox managed etc.

I use my flying time, what I consider magical time, for creating and getting “caught up”.

 

5.  Upgrade Your Environment

Get a credit card that gives you air miles for every purchase, and use those miles for flight upgrades and airport lounges. (Some credit cards even give you a year’s membership to airport lounges). I use credit cards for everything*, not only b/c it’s easier for accounting / tax purposes, but just as importantly, so that my money and purchases are working for me, and I’m always collecting miles.

I use miles to upgrade to business / first class and use airport lounges so that I have the best places to work in (strong WIFI, power sources and a great work environment). Another reason I look forward now to ALL aspects of travel is knowing I’ll have a quieter work space AND access to good food (airport lounges almost always have healthy alternatives for snacks).

My two personal favorite credit cards for accruing air miles are: Chase’s United Mileage Club Visa Card (United Airlines + Partners miles only, but necessary to use in countries that don’t accept American Express such as Bali, and it includes a membership to United + Partner Airport Lounges) and both Gold + Platinum American Express Cards (you can put miles towards ANY airline, which I prefer….but some countries, like Bali, don’t accept American Express, so I’ve needed to use a Visa card instead).

Tip: I recently found out about this cool couple and their website which has some really great advice on choosing credit cards for miles: https://www.get.com/

*Very Important: I always, always pay my credit cards in full so that I am never incurring any interest charges. EVER.  Which is a very important part of creating wealth.  You want your money and purchases working for you, not for a credit card company.

 

6.  Extend Your Trip:

Obviously, extending your trip can definitely create more ease, but what I mean in this example, is to PAD your travel period with 1 day before and 1 day after. This is one of the most important things you can do for your health, personal life AND your business.

For example, for my 8 week trip:

• Flew to the mainland on April 25 and returned June 21.
• Used April 24 to pack and organize myself.
• Used June 22 to unpack and “land”.

Thus, my auto responder said that I was “out of the office” from April 24 – June 23, and I was.

I’ve been doing this for about 5 years (but it took me about 2 years before that to make it non-negotiable – don’t let it take you that long! :). It’s my secret weapon for making traveling both ease-ful and enjoyable. I use the day before to get packed, attend to all personal things and do minor business things that don’t cause more work (I don’t do anything major – i.e. meetings, coaching etc).

I then also give myself a FULL 24 hours after I return to unpack, get organized in my personal life, laundry, plan and the most important part – actually LAND in back in time and space.  If you travel across time zones and countries, this is even more important – to have a day for your body (and soul) to catch up.   

Okay – that’s it for Part 1…health focused Part 2 in the next blog!

Over to you! Did this resonate? Do personally use any of the above tips already? What other travel tips help you wander the world with ease, enjoyment and health?  What non-negotiable travel strategies that make all the difference for you?

Share here – the best insights happen in the comments when we share our ideas and strategies. I personally read every single comment and and always respond – I love to hear.

Lots of love,

Carmen xo

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