I recently woke from what I considered at the time to be a nightmare. Don’t you love it once you realize that the turmoil you are facing was just a dream? Mine nighttime experiences seem very real and at times, filled with creative nuances that confuse me as the day later unfolds.
I won’t bore you with the specifics, but I will share enough information to help support today’s message.
The Cliff Notes version involves a hotel stay, a bus to a bus, and a conversation with a stranger. Got it? There is more. In my haste to exit the hotel room and make it in time to connect with the first bus, I soon realized that I had not included all my clothing when frantically packing my suitcase. As the story goes, I had two jam-packed cases entering the stay, and only one was filled as I headed for the bus. Obviously, I had overlooked a few items in my haste. (My dream had a lot more detail including an elevator that traveled sideways. I told you I erred on the creative side while dreaming.)
Perhaps I overreacted, but when I woke, I was relieved once I realized I was home safe and sound… with all my clothing accounted for. I also did not have to dream up any bogus excuses when my wife asked me what happened to the cashmere sweater she gave me for Christmas last year. (Whew!)
Message Time. For years I have been personally confirming the well-known fact that with age comes the propensity to forget even the simplest things. Led with that information, I have suggested for years that the proactive and caring travel advisor include a detailed Packing List to assist excited travelers when heading out on their latest adventure. This is not a good idea… it is an EXCELLENT idea.
But, as brought to light in my recent nightmare, leaving home on a trip represents only half of the story. I strongly suggest, if you want to become the exception, that you complete the loop by providing a second printed list for when it is time to return home with all your valuables, clothing and memories intact.
Yep! One packing list for leaving town, and a second separate list for heading home. A trip is not over until it is over. If nothing else, you won’t be waking up in a cold sweat trying to remember whether or not you packed that cashmere sweater. And you won’t be placing your 40-year marriage at risk.
Mike Marchev is always looking for a few more proactive travel professionals to join his Sales and Marketing Club, mike@mikemarchev.com.
*** You want more to think about? Check out my weekly podcast (Miked Up Marchev). Also listed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, and iHeartRadio.
