Last year at this time, everyone was home. This year, as we shift to a new stage in the pandemic, everyone is traveling so today we’re looking at tips for making the preparations easy and fun.

In as few minutes as feasible, make 3 lists:

1. What must be done as soon as you return?

Most preparations for travel begin with the things that are needed now. Peace of mind, however, lies in working from the future: What must be done as soon as you return? Are there any projects for work or home that need to be prepared now? Will any calls or emails now make things easier later? Make the list and handle each item in turn.

You have your packing list, we know, but is there anything you need to add for this particular trip? What are the essentials that cannot be replaced while you are traveling (e.g., mobile devices or prescriptions)? Make the list and pack each item in turn.

Finally, write the list of what must be done before you go. As always, think also about delegating, deferring, or deleting. When delegating, do just that: Find tasks that someone else can d. As for deferring, is there anything on your list that could wait until your return? For deleting, that’s more about what you might like to do vs. what you have time to do. Make the list and handle each item in turn.

The Arena App has built-in task lists, including a list to “prepare for a trip.” What’s so great about a built-in list? Choose a trip, prepare for the trip, and go with peace of mind!