I've been told that I'm a bit of an over organizer. I'm not sure that's an official term, but it does describe me perfectly. I tend to "over organize" when there's a perceived need from me that I have to remember everything and I KNOW I won't remember everything.
Some people can think through a process/event/whatever and remember everything they need to. That is not me. Writing it down. Organizing it and then thinking through it is how my brain works. It's why I'm such a good project manager.
This years trip is coming up fast and I am feeling the tickle to start the over thinking process. Each trip I've taken in the last 5-9 years I've done this exercise. For me, it gets me excited about the trip, and even more excited that all the details are in one place and organized.
I've been teased about this and for the one's who've teased me, why is it you're the first to ask ME something about the trip? Hmmm...me thinks you should be organized.
So here's what I have. It's a OneNote Notebook that contains the following pages in it. Over the years I've modified and adjusted these slightly. After each trip I do a post mortem, yes I do it, and I reflect on what may have made the trip better, or what made it great.
Side note: When Janet and I travel, each night we ask what your favorite thing about today was and what your least favorite thing was. It's nice to take a moment and think about what you had just experienced.
OneNote Travel Package
Itinerary: Just like it sounds. It's the day by day itinerary. Where are we going to be. It's not complicated just al list of the days and the name of where we are. Sometimes I add notes, but not too often.
Air Details: We all get the emails. We all put them in a folder or track them some way. I do that too. But by putting the details here, I only need to go to this one spot to check my details, should I need to.
Hotel Details: This becomes important when you're going to be in multiple hotels. It allows for all the details, again, to be in one place. I often link to the hotel's home page and put their phone number too just so I don't have to look it up.
Packing Checklist: This is the page that gets adjusted the most. After each trip I find something that I need to add to "consider" for the next trip. It's also the page that gets items taken off based on where I'm going. This is a "full" list. It has everything I might need. I add/remove depending on the trip. I've shared this with so many friends. No idea if they use it, but they've asked for it.
Activity Planner: This is where the meat of the trip lives. All the things we're going to do and see. All the details of the fun. I usually copy the descriptions form the cruise site or adventure site and put them here. Those descriptions is what I use to start my research. They aren't overly detailed, but it gives enough of an idea to start the research. Each event gets a section.
Scavenger Hunt: I started this "game" 4 or 5 years ago. I ask my friends to give me a list of things to photograph throughout the trip. Janet and I have found it tremendously enjoyable. What it does is it gets my head OUT of tourist mode and has me really looking at things. Most of the suggestions are things I'd be photographing normally, but sometimes friends get creative.
Daily highlights: I use this to write my blog normally. And I use this for when I scrap the trip later. It's amazing how much you forget or the things you think you'll remember. Each night I take the time to type in the details. Though for this years trip, I got a hard copy book that has some of these notes in it. I will most likely use that instead. Just for something different.
The last part of my travel kit are pages I add for things like, restaurants to visit, specific things I want to look for, research, photo ideas, pronunciations etc.
So that's what I put together for each trip. I get ridiculously excited about filling it out. And while doing it, my excitement of the trip takes over. It feels good to be organized and prepared. I have yet to regret it. So tease me if you will, but do not come crying to me when you don't remember the name of the hotel, or what we're seeing in a day.
Ciao!
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