Quick Tip: Pack a "Go Bag!"

Ideally, we would all have a two week notice when we have to travel.  Along with the two week notice, we would be leaving on a Monday, mid-morning, with the whole weekend before hand to plan and pack.  However, in reality, seldom does our business travel ever work out this way.

In my case, several trips are planned 2 to 3 days in advance, unfortunately, and always seem to fall on the busiest days of the week.  Generally, I will be at the office until 7 or 8, then by the time I get home, have a late dinner, see the kids briefly, etc., the last thing I want to do is try and remember what all I need to pack for my trip the next day.

In previous posts, I have suggested to make a list of things to remember.  Another tip would be to have a "go bag" ready at all times.

A "go bag" is just as it sounds; a bag you keep ready for travel to grab when you need to "go" quickly.  Obviously if your trip is going to be for several days, then this may not be an option.  But, if you are required to do frequent quick 1 or 2 night trips, then a "go bag" is a great idea.

When packing your "go bag," keep it simple.  A set or two of business clothes, an extra toiletry bag with all the necessary extra toiletries, an extra cell phone charger, etc.  In other words, things that will not be necessary in your normal day-to-day living.  Otherwise, you will find yourself using them, then when you grab your bag and finally get to the hotel, the those objects will be sitting back at home.  Then, you have to try and find replacements and can't relax as quickly as you had planned.

I have heard this suggestion from others, and recently started keeping one ready to go, WOW, it took a ton of stress and preparation time off of my shoulders.  I should mention though, if you forget to unpack and repack, the results are not ideal.

Just last week, I found out I had to be on a plane the next morning at 7, and this was 4:30 the afternoon before.  Now, I had to set up my out of office, make sure there were no issues that could not wait until I got back in 3 days, make sure I had my hotel confirmed, follow up and close all projects planned for the next day, etc.

When I got home, FINALLY, it was great being able to grab my "go bag" and laptop bag, place them by the front door, and relax for a couple of hours with my family.  Since that point, I have been sold on the "go bag" idea.