I just returned from a trip to Mexico where my family gathered to celebrate my nephew’s wedding. We drove from LA to Ensenada, Mexico and all spent an amazing few days together. I arrived home feeling relaxed, happy and rested. It was a great vacation. However, I have to say that I didn’t go into it as prepared and organized as I usually do. The few days before I left were anything but relaxed. Yes, it’s tough to admit, but even organizers have their disorganized moments :)
Family members had flown in early and were staying with me for a few days before we all drove down to Ensenada together. I had been looking forward to spending a few days with them taking them sightseeing and catching up. However, as it turned out, work got busier and busier for me in the days running up to their arrival and while they were here. Things I had planned to do got delayed and started to pile up.
The day before I left, I had to run to AAA and get last minute auto insurance for Mexico only to discover from them that I also needed a letter of permission from my car financing company that it was ok to take the vehicle into Mexico. What the heck??? It took back & forth phone calls and an additional hour out of my day to get the letter. Also adding stress to the employee who had to handle my “emergency.” If I had done my research and attended to this earlier, I could have gotten it all taken care of well in advance.
I also didn’t take my car to get it checked until the day before we were leaving. Not good! I was informed it needed immediate work (that would take 4 hours to complete) to make it safe to drive on a long distance trip. Aaarrgghh! This was the day I was intending to take my nephew (not the one getting married) to do some sightseeing in Hollywood & Beverly Hills. What to do? I rented a car for the day. Now not only am I stressed out, in a time crunch, but my lack of planning and preparation has cost me money!
I rushed my sister and nephew through their sightseeing :( in order to get back in time to pick up my car from the mechanic & return the rental car before they closed for the day. Needless to say, I didn’t finish packing for our trip until midnight and was up the next day at 5am so we could leave early and avoid the early morning traffic out of LA.
I know better than to do this to myself and realized that sometimes, I need to remember to take my own advice! Check out my July Organizing Tips. Based on this experience, I’ve compiled a list of Do’s & Don’ts for you, so that hopefully, your travel preparations can go a lot more smoothly than mine did this year!
Enjoy,
~ Jodie ~
Do’s & Don’ts for Stress Free Travel
DON’T:
Leave everything until the last minute.
Cram everything you need to do into the last day before you leave.
Purchase tickets for transportation at the last minute.
Put off applying for passports or other travel documents needed for your trip.
Travel without the necessary insurance for yourself, your luggage or your vehicle.
Assume that everything can be done over the phone or internet.
Pack without making a list.
Leave the house in a rush.
DO:
Start travel preparations early.
Book your air, bus or train tickets (or have your car serviced) well in advance.
Make hotel reservations, download directions & gather information about the place to which you will be traveling.
Purchase travel insurance and, if needed, additional auto insurance if driving.
Check that your passport or other documents needed for travel are current.
Make arrangements for your home and any pets to be taken care of while you are away.
Research the weather at your destination for the time you will be there.
Make a list of what you will need to pack based on where you are going and the activities you will be doing.
Contact Jodie Watson:
If you have any questions, would like to schedule a free professional organizing telephone consultation, or would like Jodie Watson to speak at your next corporate function, group meeting, social event, or retreat, call at (818) 590-7800. You can also contact Jodie on Facebook and Twitter or visit her website at Supreme Organization.