The past two weeks have been short work weeks for me, first with Labor Day spent with family up in Ojai, and now with my preparations to fly out to Costa Rica this Friday. I've discovered two things: preparing for something like a big trip is a great way to "force" myself to be pristine about my systems of productivity. When time is of the essence, there's no room for me to get lazy about the process. My inbox has been empty every day, and deleting items from my task list is a breeze because I'm plowing through them so quickly. Stay tuned for: my thoughts on using a daily to-do list, a subject of (unnecessary) taboo amongst Getting Things Done followers.
Second awareness: Checklists can be a Godsend. Tonight I sat down with my traveling companion at around 8:30 PM to finalize some details of the trip. I was fried from a busy/highly fulfilling day (my days are becoming increasingly both of those things). Acknowledging my low energy, I decided my brain was not going to be my strategic planner. I began making a list. I suppose that's a typical response, since human beings are natural organizers/sorters/association-makers. David Allen has spoken about "inveterate list makers" to acknowledge how common it is to make lists but not go back and use them (as effectively as we could). Tonight I will toss my list in my inbox, print out my personal travel checklist, and hit the hay. The message I'm sending to my subconscious/basic self: Not to worry, I'll take care of this later, when I can give it the attention it deserves.
That statement is a pretty dramatic shift in our culture of information overwhelm and constant interruption. Notice I didn't say "information overload". I think the size of the load is not the problem; rather the problem is that we unwittingly choose to get "whelmed" about it. As for interruptions, there are
rules of engagement to help us establish clear boundaries and accept the natural in flow of new and shifting priorities, also called "work as it shows up".
As for Costa Rica, this trip is purely for pleasure. I'm starting out in San José, stopping off to see a
generous friend who lives near
Cartago, enjoying tropical paradise
at this park, with the odd white-water rafting, hot springs, and volcanos. I even have goals for my vacation:
- Connect more deeply to my sense of inner balance and peace
- Gain altitude and perspective on all the new projects, relationships, and business opportunities on my plate
- Have all the fun I can stand
- Spend as much time as possible in the water
Below is my personal travel checklist...
I highly recommend customizing a version of this for yourself. It may seem like common sense, or overly simplistic to use a travel checklist, but I promise that if you give it a try you will be pleasantly surprised with the energy you conserve by not re-inventing the wheel about your trip.
Master Travel Checklist- Lisa Peake
UNDERWEAR
SOCKS
SUITS
DRESS SHIRTS
SLACKS
CASUAL PANTS
SKIRTS
DRESSES
BELTS
DRESS SHOES
JEANS
SPORT BELT
SNEAKERS
T-SHIRTS
SWEATERS
JACKETS
SCARVES
SLIPPERS
SHORTS
BATHING SUIT
TOILET KIT
-Toothbrush
-Hairbrush
-Toothpaste
-Makeup
-Makeup remover
-Face wash
-Soap
-Shampoo
-Conditioner
-Lotion
-Deodorant
-Hair products
-Hair ties
-Hair clips
-Jewelry
-Other?
HAIR DRYER
GLASSES
SUNGLASSES
ALARM CLOCK
AIR MATTRESS
SLEEPING BAG
PILLOW
UMBRELLA
GLOVES
OVERCOAT
RUNNING SHOES
EAR MUFFS
SWIM GOGGLES
FLIP FLOPS
SUNSCREEN
BUG SPRAY
IRON
CLOTHES BAG
COMPUTER
DC POWER CORD
PDA/CELL DEVICE
PDA/CELL CHARGER
IPOD CHARGER
BATTERIES - AAs & AAAs
TAPE PLAYER
CD PLAYER
CD’S
iPOD
BOSE HEADPHONES
EAR BUDS
BRIEFCASE
LAPTOP CASE
KEYS
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
TICKETS
CLIENT INFO
CITY INFO
MAPS
MISC. READING
BUSINESS CARDS
PROMO MATERIALS
WRITING PAD
ENVELOPES
COACHING SUPPLIES
CAMERA
FILM
BINOCULARS
Handled?
CASH
GAS
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
PHONE SILENCED
WEATHER checked
COMPUTER BACKED UP
COMPUTER DATABASES REPLICATED
PALM SYNCHED
TRANSPORT TO AND FROM AIRPORT
BILLS PAID
OUT OF OFFICE MESSAGES- EMAIL, VOICEMAIL
VOICEMAIL CHECKED
MAIL PICKUP HANDLED
International
PASSPORT
ADAPTER 110V
FOREIGN LANGUAGE BOOK