Emily Parks' Travel Tips

After 8 full weeks of counting down to Memorial Day with interviews highlighting the preferences and best practices of several superstars who travel quite frequently (Laura Doerre, Geralin Thomas, Coach Dave Clawson, Olalah Njenga, Natalie Perkins, Coach Jay Vidovich, David Glenn and Ashley Christensen), giving you tidbits about what works for them as well as takeaways to try for your next trip, I have been asked to share my own answers to those same questions. Therefore, today, I bring you my travel hacks:

Q: Do you travel mainly for business, pleasure or both?

A: Usually, I travel for business; however, I make it a point to incorporate some fun along the way, whether it's a concert, sporting event, sightseeing, trying a highly recommended restaurant or catching up with friends in the area.

Q: Do you prefer traveling via plane, train, boat or automobile?

A: I've never really tried traveling by train or boat, and I'm not a fan of driving; hence, I'd have to say plane. It takes me out of the driver's seat and lets me use that time however I choose.

Q: What is your favorite destination and why?

A: These days, my favorite destination city is a three-way tie between Nashville, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and San Antonio, Texas. For more on what I like best about those destinations, check out my "Top Ten Favorite Cities" blog post.

Q: What is your preference for airlines?

A: I prefer to fly on Southwest Airlines. It matters to me that they don't nickel and dime you with added fees for anything and everything you could want. When I buy a ticket from Southwest Airlines, it includes 2 checked bags as well as a complimentary beverage and snack; plus, there is no charge to make changes to my reservation as long as I stay within the same level of ticket purchase, like Wanna Get Away or Business Select. Further, I really like how the employees of Southwest Airlines seem to enjoy their jobs more than what I've experienced with employees of other airlines. They make flying more enjoyable overall!

Q: What is your preference for hotels or accommodations?

A: Although I take advantage of my memberships in loyalty programs for Hilton, Kimpton, Marriott and Starwood Hotels whenever possible, for me, it's more important to make sure I'm staying at a hotel that is convenient to what I'll be doing when in that city. Further, I look for accommodations that are clean, safe and include complimentary WiFi as much as I can.

Q: Do you book your own travel or prefer a travel agency?

A: I usually book my own travel. Between Expedia, Google Trips, Hopper, Skiplagged and each airline's or hotel's own app, there are so many tools to make booking my own travel easier, particularly empowering me to get the best deal while allowing me to travel whenever it works best for my own schedule restrictions. I like to travel at random times, like nights, so I can utilize all my daylight hours to their fullest, and I can finagle travel around my unique preferences most easily on my own. Still, if I'm looking for some help, the Lola app is an on-demand, personal travel service to assist me in booking flights, travel or whatever I might need.

Q: Do you have any suggestions for making the most of loyalty programs or points?

A: Know what is included in your membership because you can't utilize benefits about which you are unaware. For example, with the Starwood Preferred Guest program, I get complimentary in-room Internet access when I book through their websites or mobile app as well as complimentary in-room bottled water. Marriott Rewards provides complimentary in-room Internet access when I book direct through any of their own channels. Best yet, Kimpton Karma Rewards provides free WiFi, a "raid the bar" or happy hour option, in-room spa credit, the ability to maintain a record of my custom stay preferences and a complimentary room stay during my birthday month no matter how many credits I've accumulated towards a free night stay. Keep your email address on record with your account up-to-date so you can be notified of changes to your benefits or birthday rewards when they roll around.

Q: When flying, what do you ensure is in your carry-on?

A: It's important to me that all my tech tools (MacBook Air, iPad and iPhone) as well as corresponding charging cords are safely with me in my carry-on throughout my travels. I have a Leather Charger Roll Up from Mark And Graham that includes my ESP initials which I use to keep organized an extra cord and plug for my smartphone and tablet, earbuds and cord for charging my iPad keyboard; additionally, I have Zippered Cable Tie Wraps from Neet Products that protect each of my cords while keeping them securely rolled up. Beyond that, I like to have a printed magazine to peruse during takeoff and landing, an empty S'well® bottle that I can fill up as needed along the way, IMAK Compression Pain Relief Mask and Eye Pillow, my Total Pillow microbead portable pillow, extra cardigan or sweater, meds, BandAids, toothbrush and toothpaste.

Q: Do you keep an extra bag of toiletries packed?

A: Absolutely! It makes it so much simpler to ensure I don't forget any of my necessities, particularly for my skincare routine.

Q: How do you organize your time while on-the-go?

A: I've learned to do as much prep-work as possible beforehand, meaning I'll investigate what I want to accomplish before leaving Raleigh (restaurants where I want to eat, attractions to visit, details to cover during scheduled meetings) and note as much as possible in an Evernote notebook dedicated to that trip. Then, I put as many details as I can into my electronic calendar for all my commitments, whether for conference sessions, hotel / restaurant reservations or events to which I've purchased tickets.

Q: What tools or tactics do you use to keep your accommodations organized while traveling?

A: There seems to be a trend amongst hotels, especially those that haven't been updated recently, to not have enough electrical outlets, particularly near the bed where you need to easily access phones and tablets; therefore, I make sure to take my Audiovox multi-plug surge protector. Further, I pack with all the details of what outfits I'll wear in mind so, upon arrival at the hotel, I try to unpack quickly, hanging up my apparel with all elements of each outfit grouped together on the hangers. That way, I can more easily get ready each morning, grabbing all I need at once.

Q: Do you use technology to help stay productive and organized? If so, what's your favorite program, app, website or tech tool for surviving the chaos of daily life? And what's your favorite for being your best while traveling?

A: Very much so! My favorites for maintaining my sanity while traveling are Evernote, Calendar, The Weather Channel, Dialpad, Reminders and Morning Kit. Before leaving, I like PackPoint for helping make sure I pack whatever I'll need, and, while traversing the country, I prefer using Lyft or Citymapper for on-demand transportation. Meanwhile, I depend on AroundMe, CurEat, Detour, Field Trip, Find. Eat. Drink., Offline, Peek, RootsRated, Spot, The Scoop, Time Out, Trip.com and Viator to find the hidden gems no matter what is my destination. Finally, if I need a place to work, I peruse the local options via Breather, LiquidSpace and WeWork.

Q: Across all your travels, which restaurants did you enjoy most and why were they your favorites?

A: In Nashville, my friend Beth and I enjoyed a delicious Sunday brunch at Adele's, which is housed in the old Universal Tire Center; with my background in the automotive industry, I was enthused by reusing this old service center for such a nice restaurant. Then, in Pittsburgh, I joined fellow members of the National Association of Professional Organizers Deb and Kathy for an amazing dinner that exceeded expectations at the highly-recommended Butcher and the Rye, following which we were rescued from a downpour of rain by the wonderful Coach Jay Vidovich, which certainly made for a memorable experience as Kathy watched the dramatic storm coming our way while we ate outside. Finally, in San Antonio, my friend Heather and I enjoyed a tasty Italian meal while overlooking the beautiful riverfront along the sidewalk of the riverwalk. Overall, I find it much easier to associate magical memories with dining experiences since they incorporate so many of our senses, especially pairing incredible food with wonderful dining companions. For more on which restaurants I've liked best, check out my "Top Ten Favorite Restaurants" blog post.

Q: If you could have one super power to make traveling (or life in general) a little better, what would it be?

A: As I've always envied Dorothy's ability to click her heels together and immediately return home in The Wizard of Oz, I would love the super power of teleportation. Eliminate wasted time!

Readers, do your preferences mirror mine? Do you use any of the tools or hacks that I've learned over my many travels? Which tip do you plan to implement in the future?

Top Ten Things to Keep in Your Gym Bag

Organize for Success® Turns 10 

In honor of 10 years of business for Organize for Success®, I will be posting a "top 10" list to this blog each day through Wednesday, May 31st. Each Sunday, my team will randomly select from those who commented on the prior week's "top 10" blog posts for a gift card giveaway and free download of one eBook from OrganizeForSuccess.biz/shop. The grand prize for celebrating Organize for Success, LLC's 10 years will be awarded on Thursday, June 1st, randomly selecting from all those who commented on any of the month's "top 10" blog posts as well as those who have subscribed to my eNewsletter for a winner to receive downloads of all 5 eBooks, a pass for my Stress and Time Management online video course as well as a 60-minute productivity consultation via video conference.

As this is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, today, let's cover the top ten things to keep in your gym bag, particularly to be prepared as you're running there in between other places:

10. Water Bottle - Although it may seem obvious, this is one of the most important items to pack in your gym bag. Having an empty, reusable water bottle that you can refill on-the-go will make sure you are always able to hydrate. I really like the official S'well bottles, which are stainless steel vacuum insulated, come in a variety of colors, keep liquids cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours and withstand all sorts of abuse through normal wear and tear.

9. Nutrition Bar - Avoid getting hangry by fueling up pre-workout with a snack. I lean towards options to satisfy my sweet tooth, but pick which of the available healthy options best fits your needs.

8. Protein Drink Mix - Refuel post-workout with a tasty drink. Whether Gatorade, a weight-loss option or something sweet with vanilla or chocolate favor, there are plenty of options that can be added to a singe-serve bottle of milk or water for an easy solution.

7. Workout Clothes - To make sure you always have a tank top, workout pants, sports bra and tennis shoes, keep one of each in your gym bag. A membership to Fabletics allows you to order complete workout outfits form online and have them shipped directly to your home; then, during months you don't want to order, simply tel the website you want to skip that month, and you won't be charged at all. Fabletics offers high quality in a variety of styles, colors, fabrics and sizes to meet anyone's needs.

6. Pair of Socks and Extra Panties - Trying to workout without socks is a recipe for disaster. To prevent any issues, stash a pair in your gym bag, particularly during warmer weather when you're likely arriving to the gym in sandals, which means you won't be wearing socks. The same level of importance applies to having the right underwear, too, so make certain you are properly prepared.

5. Basic First Aid - Whether you choose Band-Aid brand or something else, adhesive bandages keep you able to workout, no matter whether a blister or simple cut might occur, but the need for first aid might not end that simplistically. Be sure to stock your gym bag with a compact sized first aid kit that includes full bandages, tape and gauze in the event of any mishap.

4. Specialty Workout Supplies - Depending on what type of workout you'll be doing, there might be additional items necessary, like a yoga mat, weight-lifting gloves, tennis or racquetball racket, bathing suit, boxing gloves, knee / elbow sleeves and eye protection. Know what you'll be doing before you head to the gyn so you can take the right equipment or, if you regularly do something needing extra supplies, keep those in your bag all the time to make sure you're prepared.

3. Select Toiletries - Use face wipes to swipe make-up off before exercising and clean-up a bit after, which helps fight breakouts. Dry shampoo solves the dilemma of working out with no shower nearby and when you aren't headed home after your workout. BB cream moisturizes your face post-workout while adding subtle coverage to reduce redness and cover any imperfections. Lip balm should be applied before and after each workout to keep your lips hydrated and prevent the distraction of dry lips during any workout. Baby wipes are useful in wiping down any particularly sweaty areas or to clean-up any space during your workout session; then, make sure you have deodorant to reapply post-workout. I recommend keeping some coconut oil in your bag as the uses for coconut oil are endless. And don't forget a brush!

2. Tech Tools - At my gym, our access card is within the smartphone app so it's imperative that I remember to take my phone inside. Likewise, music can be an essential element of working out for many of us so make sure to take some headphones to play your favorite tunes from your phone. JayBird's wireless pair of earbuds fit securely on your ear, have a a sweat-proof warranty and offer 8 hours of battery life. If the locker room offers access to an electrical outlet, keep an extra set of charging cords in your gym bag to recharge your devices before or after working out; the Neet Cable Keepers will protect your charging cables, make it easier to wrap them up for stashing in your gym bag and add color to differentiate which cord goes with which device. Keep your tech tools organized and easily accessible with some sort of zippered bag or the Leather Charger Roll Up from Mark and Graham.

1. Towel - If your gym charges a "towel rental fee", you'll want to avoid it; if your gym doesn't add fees for towels, avoid being left without one when all the clean towel supplies run out. Sweat in your eyes and slippery yoga mats won't help your workout success so be armed with your own towel, preferably a microfiber cloth as it absorbs well and dries quickly. If not a microfiber option, consider Nike's Jacquard Towel, which is small and cotton, coming with a carabiner so you can hook it to your machine for easy access.

What kinds of things do you keep in your gym bag? Are there any on this list that you'll be adding to what you have?

7 Travel Hacks You Need to Know Before You Go

To give you a taste of what's to come in Emily Parks' series of travel tips that will count down to Memorial Day, we welcome Sarah Smith of ThePersonalIncome.org to present today's post.

People like reading about travel tips simply because travel can be overwhelming and confusing. There are tips about booking cheap flights and getting the best hotel accommodations for a good rate. These are, of course some of the main concerns of travelers, but there are other things about which a person who travels a lot might be concerned. Packing and taking great photos are two of those.

Many people worry about what to bring and how to cram everything they need for a few days into small pieces of luggage. Did you know that rolling your clothes makes them easier to pack and leaves them less wrinkled? You will benefit from packing mostly dark-colored clothes since they don’t get dirty very easily. You can just hand wash them with soap and water in your hotel room and hang them at the clothesline if there’s no laundry service. This way, you can reuse the same shirt or pants several times during your trip.

You can bring shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste in sachets since you'll need only a little of each, but bring a lot of sunscreen, especially if you will be spending a lot of time under the sun.

If you are traveling with your loved ones or friends, it will also do you well to book tours. It will make going around islands or cities much easier since everything will be taken care for you. The itinerary will also be laid out, and you won’t even have to worry about meals and other incidentals.

This timely infographic details travel hacks and other tips that will serve you well during your next trip: