Headed on a vacation? Good for you! So many Americans don't take their vacation times and get away. I happen to be one of them. I thought owning my own business would mean more vacation time and it so hasn't happened that way. It's terrible. So I applaud those who do take their allotted vacation times.
However, traveling has not become as enjoyable as it used to be. At least not for me. The last time I traveled it was to ski in Utah and I had to pay to check my regular luggage AND my skis. On the way back they tried to charge me extra because the bag was too heavy- (ski boots) so I ended up packing my ski boots in my carry-on and then literally put on every shirt and sweater I owned until my luggage weight 50 pounds or less. It was the principle of the moment - Delta airlines had royally screwed up my flight and the woman "helping me" was being as unhelpful as she possibly could be.
Luckily summer months are upon us, which means a lot less stuff we have to bring with us. This is great news for us! Some friends are on their way to Italy and I was suggesting a few ideas for them to maximize their trip without taking everything with them. I thought I'd share those tips with all of you.
#1 - If you can avoid checking your luggage - do so! It saves money and you won't be worried the airlines will lose your luggage - since clothing is much less bulky in the summer time, there's a good chance if you pack wisely you can just use your carry-on. This also saves a ton of time checking in at the airport and then you don't have to wait at baggage claim either. Trust me, I did this when I traveled to Berlin, Germany for a wedding last year and it was fabulous.
#2 - Roll your clothing. This takes up much less room than simply folding your clothing. If you are worried about wrinkles, check to make sure your hotel room has an iron prior to leaving or pack a small one. Or bring stuff that de-wrinkles easily or doesn't wrinkle at all. I avoid linen for this very reason.
#3 - Shoes. Unless you travel like Paris Hilton 3 pairs of shoes should be fine. One pair for walking, one pair casual pair and one dressy pair.
#4 - You don't need a whole new outfit every day. Bring clothing that you can mix and match.
#5 - Wear your clothing more than once. If you are going for a week bring 2 pair of jeans, 2-3 pair of shorts, 2 skirts, 4 shirts and a light jacket and possibly a bathing suit. If you run out of room - wear your jacket on the plane. It gets cold on those flights and you may want it anyway. If not, you can take it off and store it above you. Wear your bulkiest shoes for travel as well. You can always take them off on the flight.
#6 - Exercise your right to have a carry-on AND a purse by bringing another bag with you. I use a knapsack as my "purse" and that way I can pack much more stuff.
#7 - Buy travel sized toiletries. This helps you get through security with the 3 ounce rule plus it's much easier to carry. You can always refill the bottle with your favorite shampoo which means you can help save the environment!
#8 - If possible, buy certain things you need there. If you are going to the beach - wait until you go to buy your sunscreen. If you apply correctly and are there for a week - chances are you'll actually go through the whole bottle anyway- but you didn't need to carry it with you on the plane.
I hope these 8 tips will help everyone have an enjoyable flight this summer wherever you are traveling. To learn more about my business, Gotham Concierge, visit my website at: http://www.gothamconcierge.com or ask to be added on to my monthly newsletter which shares more information on how to organize your time, space and life. Or become a client - we handle everything you don't want to from errand running, bill payment, personal assistance, professional organizing and time management. To learn more about our Time Management seminar, contact Alison Kero at: 646-831-9625 or e-mail me at: info@gothamconcierge.com.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Saving Time Through Intuition
My week has been not so fun. Thanks to a variety of clients blaming me because they moved their own belongings around and then couldn't find their stuff, me explaining a situation to an employee at a furniture store who acted like he knew what I was talking about and then blamed me when it was apparent he didn't, another client getting angry because I asked her to confirm our appointment and she didn't feel she had to respond if she didn't want the time, I could not be happier it's Friday.
Had I listened to my intuition in many of those situations, I could have saved myself some time. I knew when I faxed some pages to the furniture store that some might not have made it through. I believed that since I called while faxing, that the employee would then call back and alert me the first page had not gone through. I should have followed my intuition and followed up with him right after the fax went through. Instead I waited and wasted time re-sending it using a scanner and an online fax machine rather than the regular fax machine I had use of prior to making the last call.
I should also have followed my intuition about a new client. Yes, she is sweet and yes, could most definitely benefit from Gotham Concierge's services, but I knew from our initial meeting she had no regard for anyone's time but her own. Instead I decided to go against my gut feeling and am left with time spent trying to get her to commit to a time to meet and her canceling at the last minute both times. When a 30 minute free consultation turns into over 2 hours and they don't notice or care, it's time to realize they don't care about wasting your time.
Intuition can save a tremendous amount of time. If your gut is telling you to do something, listen to it. Every time I have not paid attention to my gut, I've spent more time cleaning up messes and then berating myself for not listening to myself. Every time I have listened to my intuition, I've had less stress and the knowledge I did what I knew was right the first time.
Intuition is a great time saver.
Had I listened to my intuition in many of those situations, I could have saved myself some time. I knew when I faxed some pages to the furniture store that some might not have made it through. I believed that since I called while faxing, that the employee would then call back and alert me the first page had not gone through. I should have followed my intuition and followed up with him right after the fax went through. Instead I waited and wasted time re-sending it using a scanner and an online fax machine rather than the regular fax machine I had use of prior to making the last call.
I should also have followed my intuition about a new client. Yes, she is sweet and yes, could most definitely benefit from Gotham Concierge's services, but I knew from our initial meeting she had no regard for anyone's time but her own. Instead I decided to go against my gut feeling and am left with time spent trying to get her to commit to a time to meet and her canceling at the last minute both times. When a 30 minute free consultation turns into over 2 hours and they don't notice or care, it's time to realize they don't care about wasting your time.
Intuition can save a tremendous amount of time. If your gut is telling you to do something, listen to it. Every time I have not paid attention to my gut, I've spent more time cleaning up messes and then berating myself for not listening to myself. Every time I have listened to my intuition, I've had less stress and the knowledge I did what I knew was right the first time.
Intuition is a great time saver.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Sucking It Up- When Time Management Has Reached Its Limit
Today I was presenting my time management seminar to a group of members at NAWBO-NYC (National Association of Women Business Owners- NYC chapter) and afterwards one of them asked me a very important question. She told me that once a month, she and her assistant would spend 5 hours or more working on invoicing. She said she had felt they had developed a system that worked for them, but it was time consuming and unpleasant. She wondered if I could come up with an alternative solution.
I offered 2 solutions.
Solution number one would be to outsource invoicing which may or may not lead to less time because her clients changed their scheduled time so frequently.
Solution number two was to recognize that she was invoicing her clients. Meaning she was making money! Perhaps the process was not as fun as her other duties, but invoicing helps provide information on the health of the company. I told her the best solution was to realize it was going to be a lengthy process no matter what, allocate enough time for the process to be handled and the only thing she could change about the situation was her outlook.
Often, changing how you think or feel about certain duties you dislike can make a huge difference in how long something takes! If you look at the project more positively, it is easier to start the project, stay on task and finish earlier.
So good luck tackling that project or task you hate but remember, how you view it can make a huge difference.
I offered 2 solutions.
Solution number one would be to outsource invoicing which may or may not lead to less time because her clients changed their scheduled time so frequently.
Solution number two was to recognize that she was invoicing her clients. Meaning she was making money! Perhaps the process was not as fun as her other duties, but invoicing helps provide information on the health of the company. I told her the best solution was to realize it was going to be a lengthy process no matter what, allocate enough time for the process to be handled and the only thing she could change about the situation was her outlook.
Often, changing how you think or feel about certain duties you dislike can make a huge difference in how long something takes! If you look at the project more positively, it is easier to start the project, stay on task and finish earlier.
So good luck tackling that project or task you hate but remember, how you view it can make a huge difference.
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