Cut Your Losses

When I first joined the Road Warrior class, I quickly lost a hat, hair dryer, Georg Jensen sterling silver ring with a large smoky topaz, a bottle of pricy perfume, and more.  The ring was the clincher.  With a job involving tightly scheduled near-100% travel, I clearly needed a system to hang onto my stuff.  So does every Road Warrior.  Here are my “rules of the road.”

1.  Write a packing list as you pack.  Keep hard copy in your wallet or attaché, and save one as a draft in your email – don’t email it to yourself.  I keep a standing list used for each trip & just add that trip’s special items, e.g. parka when heading for wintry weather.

2.  Only unpack what you immediately need, for example, for that night’s stay and the next morning’s attire.  And NEVER stick anything in any drawer!

3.  Whatever you use, put it away immediately.  Never leave anything lying around your hotel room.  As soon as the nail polish is dry, plop implements and polishes back into their pouch in your suitcase.  When you put on your nightie, drop the day’s laundry in its section of your suitcase.  (I dump laundry in a plastic bag and stuff bag into suitcase.)

4.  Before you check out, take a minute to survey your surroundings.  I’ve found the best order to do this is tub/toilet area for shampoo, razor, et al, left on the tub surround, then the sink & counter area, clothes hangers, bedside table, credenza and/or desk for phone-computer-power supplies.  I turn out the lights at each stop so I know I checked the area!  It also keeps me moving from the rear of the typical hotel room toward the door, loading up as I walk out.

With these put-it-away-instantly habits, and this quick system to gather up luggage as I head out, I haven’t lost anything in years.

May the road rise up to meet you!

Ann