I recently had a Real Holiday…one where I left behind my computer and all of my other mobile devices.

Was it unnerving to think about disconnecting from the world? Absolutely.

Prior to leaving, these type of voices ran through my head:

• It’s so difficult to prepare for technology-free time.
• What if someone needs me?
• They’ll be soooo much to catch up on when I return.

But I chose to not let fear of being out-of-complete-control stop me from letting go and ended up making an interesting observation in the process: Even though I have good boundaries with technology (no e-mail pop-up alerts, no instant messaging, etc.), some part of me feels constantly on alert when I’m constantly connected.

Within even a few hours of weaning myself off of technology, I sensed an “inversion” of my focus–in a good way. My thoughts and feelings shifted from a vast network of people and priorities to a greater awareness of myself and my surroundings. In turning my devices off, I was able to turn on my ability to experience the moment and be completely present.

Although an “unplugged” holiday might not fit into your schedule right now, I highly recommend that you test out this principle in your own life. Investing time in intentional detachment can help you unwind and connect with yourself.

Here are some tips on how to refresh:

• Set aside a block of time free from outside obligations. A day or more is best but even a few hours in the morning or evening will do.
• Switch off and–better yet–remove yourself from connected devices. For instance, if you’re cocooning at home, leave your devices in the office. Or if you’re heading out, leave your computer and phone at home.
• Keep a journal close at hand to record your thoughts.
• Give yourself permission to connect with your intuition and do what you feel like doing in the moment from taking a walk to working on a creative project to staring out into space.
• As you near the end of your time, jot down a short list of what you’ll need to do upon “re-entry” so you don’t fear the transition into a fully connected existence.

Time away from technology acts as a “re-set” button that leaves you better connected with yourself and better able to connect with others.

To your brilliance!

Elizabeth Grace

About Real Life E®

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is the founder and CEO of Real Life E® a time coaching and training company that empowers individuals who feel guilty, overwhelmed and frustrated to feel peaceful, confident and accomplished through an exclusive Schedule Makeover^TM process. Real Life E® also increases employee productivity, satisfaction and work/life balance through custom training programs.

Elizabeth has appeared in Inc magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and on NBC. She was selected as one of the Top 25 Amazing Women of 2010 by Stiletto Woman and as a member of the Young Entrepreneurs Council featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Mashable, and many other media outlets.

Elizabeth in Bogotá

activities into lists so that they can move forward on them without feeling overwhelmed. (David Allen does a great job of explaining why this technique is so effective in Getting Things Done.)

As a special holiday gift to you, I’m sharing my personal travel check list, including bonus tips for international trips. Bon voyage!

Elizabeth’s Preparing for a Trip Check List

If Driving:

• Make sure oil changed and any car maintenance done.
• Make sure up-to-date auto insurance in wallet and car registration stickers on license plate.
• Confirm address.
• Get directions or check that comes up on your GPS device.
• Book hotel and confirm check in time.
• Put gas in the car.
• Grocery shop for snacks and/or bottled beverages.

If Flying:

• Book flight.
• Book hotel and confirm check in time.
• Coordinate pick up or transportation after arrival.
• Confirm flight time.
• Confirm when you will need to leave for the airport.
• Get directions or check that comes up on your GPS device both to the departure airport and from your arrival airport to your final destination.
• Coordinate rides or look into parking options.
• Grocery shop for snacks. If desired, bring an empty water bottle to fill up once inside the security checkpoint.
• Check luggage number and size (dimensions and weight) restrictions and fees
• Decide whether you will check baggage
• Make sure you have a quart-size Ziploc bag and 3-oz. or less size containers that fit in that bag.
• If desired, check in 24 hours in advance

Packing Strategy:

If driving:

• Determine how much luggage space is available if you are taking large objects and/or have many people in the car.

If flying:

• Decide whether you will check in luggage.
• Follow all airline standards for size and weight and items you can carry on. (An easy way to check the weight is to weigh yourself and then step on your home scale holding your bag.)

2-7 Days Before Your Trip:

• Decide what you will want to wear and/or bring
• Do any last shopping: food, clothes, toiletries, items to bring on trip
• Do laundry and/or dry cleaning

1-2 Days Before Your Trip:

• Check the expected weather conditions.
• Pack up all of the items in your bags to make sure that they will fit inside.
• Put liquids into a quart-size Ziploc bag.
• Go through your purse and other carry on items to make sure that you don’t have any prohibited items (sharp objects like scissors or liquids like lipgloss).
• Do online check in 24 hours in advance and print out boarding pass.

Morning of Your Trip:

• Do final packing of toiletries, food, books, etc.
  

  View from my window seat

• Double check the flight status and that you have your boarding pass and government id (passport if you are leaving the United States).
• Give yourself some “buffer time” so if you’re running late or hit bad traffic, you’re still OK.
• Enjoy!!

Packing List:

Clothes:

Use the weather report and any schedule events/activities to help guide your packing.

• Pants, shorts, dresses, and/or skirts
• Shirts, including one that would be nice for an evening event
• Sweatshirts or jackets
• Underclothes, socks, nylons
• Pajamas
• Work out clothes
• Shoes: dress shoes, workout shoes, informal shoes
• Swim suit and cover up (and if necessary, towel and goggles)
• Accessories: scarves, hats, gloves, jewelry, and watch
• Plastic bag for dirty clothes

Toiletries:

• Floss, tooth brush, tooth paste, mouth wash, skin care, moisturizer, deodorant, glasses, contacts, contact case, contact solution, and perfume
• Hair brush, curling irons, flat irons, gel, hairspray
• Makeup
• Vitamins and/or medicine

If not staying at a hotel or have particular preferences:

• Soap, shampoo, conditioner, razor, shaving cream, face wash, blowdryer

Miscellaneous:

• Wallet and government id
• Cell phone
• Camera (including extra battery and if applicable, device to upload photos to the computer
• Calendar/Planner/Notepad
• Books or other reading material
• Gum or other snacks or necessary foods
• All chargers for phones, computers, cameras, other electronic devices
• Print outs of insurance policies and all other travel documents
• Umbrella, boots, hats, gloves, scarves, sunscreen, etc. (depending on the weather)
• Computer
• Pens, paper, stamps
• Emergency contact numbers and addresses
• Any school work or other work materials
• Gifts and thank you cards for anyone who is hosting you
• Collapsible bag that you can use to bring home extra items

International Travel:

• Exchange money
• Double check passport up to date & visa OK
• Tell credit card company that I will be abroad
• Cell phone, calling card rates
• Access code for the country
• Give contact info to parents and roommates
• Go to travel clinic for immunizations, medicine and food precautions
• Ask about local customs in terms of acceptable/unacceptable dress and activities
• Ask about converters for electronics–voltage and/or plugs
• Buy travel insurance & emergency medical insurance
• Check that your carry-on items are allowed in each airport where you need to take a flight. (Restrictions can be different for different countries.)

I hope this helps you to have a Happy and Stress-Free Holiday Vacation.

Feel free to leave your tips!

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is the founder and CEO of Real Life E® a time coaching and training company that empowers individuals who feel guilty, overwhelmed and frustrated to feel peaceful, confident and accomplished through an exclusive Schedule Makeover^TM process. Real Life E® also increases employee productivity, satisfaction and work/life balance through custom training programs.

Elizabeth has appeared in Inc magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and on NBC. She was selected as one of the Top 25 Amazing Women of 2010 by Stiletto Woman and as a member of the Young Entrepreneurs Council that includes HootSuite CEO Ryan Holmes and Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich fame.

“How to Always get to the Airport on Time,” suggests travelers avoid checking bags to bypass advance check-in deadlines. In addition, travelers should consider checking in and printing boarding passes at home before leaving for the airport. Not only will you be able to skip the lines at the airport, but also if you run into traffic, you buy yourself more time.

For more time-saving travel tips, visit the Lifehacker website.

About Real Life E®

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a time coach & professional speaker who helps men and women who are overwhelmed and frustrated because they want to achieve a life of peace and productivity but are struggling to make it happen.

For more insight on how to move forward, feel peaceful and create a life of love, meaning and purpose, check out ScheduleMakeover.com

Elizabeth has been featured in Inc magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and on NBC, and is happy to be interviewed for your broadcast or publication.

It was recommended on Twitter by Tim Ferriss of The 4-Hour Workweek fame.

Enjoy cool moves like “the flick” and “the flop and fold” and save time in the process. (Plus when you fold clothes right out of the drier, you don’t need to iron or re-launder them to get out the wrinkles.)

To brilliant–and fun–time strategies!

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a trainer who focuses on “Time Strategies to Create a Brilliant Life in a Burnt-Out World.” Women in business and Gen Y professionals enjoy her fresh take on succeeding in business and life by controlling their time instead of letting it control them. Brilliance trumps burn out!