Earlier this is what I would go through:
1. Before Packing: Pretty much the whole day I would be thinking: “Oh my God, I’ve still got so much packing to do. When will I do it? I’m still at work. I better leave soon, but there’s still so much to do.”
2. And while I’m packing: “I’ve got to pack clothes and then there’s my toothbrush, and oh-my-God I cannot forget my mobile charger…aargh!”
3. But worst of all after I’m all packed: “hmm I’m know I’m forgetting something, but don’t know what that is.”
These days, packing is so easy when I’ve got to travel. (Ofcourse that’s mostly got to with the fact that I’ve got my sweet wife to help me out). But even then, every time I start packing, all I need to do is pick up my Travel Checklist and then blindly, without a shadow of a thought just start piling stuff into my laptop bag or suitcase as it maybe. Gosh, do you know how relieving that is. Ah, if you could just taste the sweetness of being in the state of no-thought, the mind-like-water. (Thank you David Allen, may the Lord bless your kind soul).
Have a Travel Checklist:
Even if you travel as less as once a year, I highly recommend making a Travel Checklist the very next time you start packing. It’s been an amazingly time-saving & stress-saving tool for me. The trick is to have it complete. If it’s not compete, then it’s only half-a travel checklist, and the other half is in your head & it’s giving you lots of stress.
I started mine using David Allen’s Travel Checklist as the initial draft and then customised it for my needs. I’ve saved it as a note in my Outlook Notes folder, which then automatically syncs to my Blackberry. You’ll find my entire Checklist below.
Feel free to use it, copy it and share it. I’m sure you’ll find quite a few things below that will make you go “Aha!” and want you to add it to your checklist. If so, or if you’ve found anything useful, do mention that in the comments below. Also if you’ve got any other Travel-tip would love to hear it.
Keep smiling ☺
Arif
Ps. I’m currently typing this being a royal house-guest of my wonderful in-laws at Mahuva in Gujrat. Thanks to my Travel Checklist, I had everything in place (laptop, charger, mouse, Reliance USB NetConnect) to make this blog post.
Arif Vakil Travel Checklist
To Carry in my Pocket:
Blackberry and Bluetooth
ipod with headphones
wallet (with enough money)
business card holder
pocket notepad
Pilot red & black pens
Sharbo pen/pencil in one
Laptop bag:
Macbook
power cord
Mouse and mouse-pad
Reliance usb connect
All gtd folders: (blue Ins, read/review etc)
2 books for reading
Dua book
Namaaz Compass
Sajdagha
Prayer Mat
Crocin red & blue
Red bull
Regular Bilt notebook to take notes
Business Cards
small yellow post-it
Empty cd
Cd writing pen.
Home keys in laptop bag keychain
Multi-plug converter (esp International travel)
Cable case only if feel necessary (ipod cable, camera cable, bberry cable)
Headphones splitter
Suitcase:
Running shirt
Running short
Running shoes
Climbing shoes (if going to Mumbai)
Deodrant
Laptop sleeve
Totebag / travel bag
Toothpaste/toothbrush/
Floss
If journey crosses Thu/fri: a Nail cutter.
Lens kit
Extra pair of lenses
Lenses
Spectacles
Lens cleansing solution
Hair comb
Underwear
Socks
Dress Shirts
Jeans
T-Shirts
Night Clothes (T shirt + pajamas)
Belt
Dress Shoes
A Bag to Carry Clothes that I have worn and now for Laundry.
Sweaters
Jackets
Slippers
Neck Support (for long journeys)
Phone Charger
Ipod charger (if travelling for 3 days or more)
Bluetooth charger (if necessary)
Tickets
Camers
Camera Charger
Video Camera if travelling with family or to meet family.
Car-tuner (esp if travelling with family)
Go through conference checklist if going to conference.
Handled (stuff to do):
Put forward tickler file.
Take support papers (credit card copy) from travel folder and put in Action support.
Browse through article/blogposts folder for read/review material to carry.
Collect laptop sleeve bag/tote travel bag from Ramesh
Ask Ramesh to get talking yellow pages tel number for city visiting and put in Addressbook
Hotel booked
Car P/U Arranged or taking airport taxi, decide (Ensure driver speaks hindi/english)
Mac Backed Up
Taken cash from accounts/atm
Print Off The Web:
Subway restaraunts in the area
Closest mosque
Weather checked
International
Passport
Foreign currency (eg Dirhams when Dubai)
If Traveling With Family:
Markers (for writing on cartons)
Dear Sir,
The most inspiring blog I ‘ve ever come across :-) Y don’t u name it as VYT – (Vakil Yatra Tips), since these days I am traveling the most and wht n blog, I really get restless when bag pack comes in action, but hopefuly may be now onwards I will be more cool :-) thanks for sharing all these.
With Lot’s of Luv
Suvo :-)
Hi Suvo-buddy!
Thanks for the comment. Man, if you travel often you MUST make a travel list. Make it tonight itself. If you were still at Vakil Housing, I would make you sit in front of me and make you write the list :-p.
But seriously, do try it out and see how much more relaxed you feel.
Thanks once again for the comment.
Keep smiling :-)
Arif
I really dont understand why boys are so forgetful for staters!!!totally baffles me to c that u have a LIST TO TRAVEL!!!Alhamdulliah a mental check list is good enough for me. But then thats ME, (just kidding).
P.S. still cant digest it!
Hi Nadia,
Kya batain. Boys will be boys. Thanks for leaving a comment, though. :-)
Arif
HI
Thanks for the info. I am a vivid readewr and the tips on books were usefull. Tips on packing was superb and I practice this (keeping a checklist) for the past thirty years. It s s must for present day yougsters who forget everything and spend moey on the missed items often.
The note on daily prayer is too good to miss and as Hindu I do seek repentance if I miss my daily oblutions and prayers.
Thsnks for the Tips Buddy.
Sekar.
Hi Sekar,
Thanks so much for your comments. Yes, it does hurt when one misses his appointment with the Lord. I believe there’s a saying in Islam that says that to feel regret on doing evil and to experience satisfaction on doing good is a sign that the conscience/Iman (faith) is still alive.
Arif