Blog: Use Your Space & Conquer Office Workflow
Packing & Unpacking for Biz or Pleasure

Packing

• Compartmentalizing is the key to packing the suitcase and supports being organized once you arrive at your destination 

• The most effective way is through the use of small individual pouches or bags inside your suitcase, preferably with a mesh or translucent side to easily view contents
• Being able to see the contents will help you get dressed more quickly and help speed the process if your bag is searched by security in the airport
• All small items such as socks, underwear, and hose should be contained within pouches.  There are also larger pouches that store shirts and shoes
• Shirts can also be packed hanging in a garment bag or a suitcase with a hanging garment compartment.  To reduce the wrinkles when you fold the shirt in half, it is recommended that you place a rolled sweater where the shirt will fold
• When you launder a shirt, you can request that it be returned in a box and you can pack the boxed shirt on your next trip
• Keeping shoes in separate pouches or bags not only keeps your suitcase organized, but keeps potential dirt from your shoes from getting on your clothes
• If you don't have small pouches and bags, clear zipped plastic bags will also work 

• It is best to pack your toiletry items in your checked-bag stored in a hanging toiletry/valet bag that unfolds with clear compartments 

• Remember the new security rules of 3-1-1 in your carry-on luggage: only 3 ounces of each liquid in a 1-quart zipped clear bag for 1 person.  Note:  you can buy a 3-1-1 set which includes the containers and bag.  Detailed rule information at www.tsa.gov 

• Consider using a Packing Checklist to ensure important items are not forgotten.

• A Packing Checklist that can be downloaded and customized from Travellerspoint http://www.travellerspoint.com/packing-tips.cfm and the list from www.OnlineOrganizing.com categories item by the type of trip you are taking http://www.onlineorganizing.com/ExpertAdviceToolboxTips.asp?tipsheet=43

Unpacking at Your Destination 

• Place hang-up garments in the closet as soon as you arrive at your destination and take out your toiletry items.  The other clothes can remain in your suitcase ideally on a suitcase stand 

•  Use a plastic bag you bring from home (or the hotel's plastic bag for laundry) to hold your dirty clothes 

• Everything that comes out of yourpockets or off your hands at the end of the day needs a home: keys, jewelry, coins, wallet, electronic equipment, receipts, rosary, sunglasses, chapstick and pens.  Since hotels rarely provide a valet tray, bring your own leather valet tray (Catchall) that folds flat when not in use. 

• Establish consistent activity areas in your hotel room, so that you always designate the same spot (or type of spot) for your briefcase, laptop, important papers, books, etc. 

• Always put your hotel key and garage parking ticket in the same spot in your wallet, briefcase or bag.  Ask the hotel for 2 keys, if you like one in your briefcase and one in your wallet

posted on: 8/4/2008 8:30:00 AM by Heather Cocozza
category: Business

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Use Your Space & Conquer Office Workflow

by Heather Cocozza

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About Heather:

Heather Cocozza is a Professional Organizer who organizes and designs tailored home and office solutions. She is on the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)-WDC Board of Directors 2009-2010 and is the owner of Cocozza Organizing & Design, LLC. Prior to her organizing career, Heather Cocozza worked 13 years at IBM and PricewaterhouseCoopers as an ERP Project Manager and at times traveled extensively while her "virtual" twins were between the ages of 0 to 3.

Heather's Website:

CocozzaOrgDesign.com

Great Songs

• "Takin' Care of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
• Do Ya - Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)
• I Got a Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
• You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet - Bachman Turner Overdrive
• Give a Little Bit - Goo Goo Dolls