First, Happy April Fool’s Day!  Which makes me think of travel.  Are your eyebrows raised?  Are you questioning my connection?  I hope so.  Traveling is so very important in our lives whether we are traveling for business or pleasure.  It is important because travel gives us the opportunity to see new places, learn new things about others & ourselves, gives us a break from the everyday & gives us something to anticipate.  So why do we go about it so willy, nilly sometimes, just hoping or expecting it to all actually happen and/or work out to be the perfect trip?  This April 16th will be the start of the Annual NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) Conference in New Orleans.  As it is basically in my backyard by Texan’s standards, I’m attending.  This trip makes me think of all the things I have done wrong in past travels–from the trips I never planned & so then didn’t go on to the things I forgot to pack like my knickers which is British for well…you know.

With summer right around the corner…YEAH!….now is the time to start planning those family summer trips.  The sooner you start planning, the better the trip you will have since you’ll actually have a trip planned.  After all, you don’t want to look like a fool when everyone else is talking about their fun trip now do you?

1.  Create a Travel Destination List.  Everyone in the family should have a location or two on this fabulously intoxicating list.  It’s a list of your dreamy trips as well as the Hey that would be fun! trips & the We really need to go there or visit them trips.  They can even be trips to locations in your area…Tourist for the Day kind of trips.

2.  Select  Pick the destinations that will happen this year.  Then pick a date on the family calendar when those trips can realistically happen based on everyone’s schedule & finances.  I suggest one large trip with little That would be Fun, We really need to go there or Tourist for the Day trips scattered throughout the year.

3.  Plan  Start planning out the first trip on the calendar whether with a friendly Travel Agent or on your own through the internet.  Don’t forget about all the points & miles you have diligently been earning.  Sometimes those companies tallying those points/miles have friendly people to help you arrange your trips using your points/miles.  You might be amazed at the doors they can open, creating the royal treatment for you. Otherwise you could end up feeling foolish for not taking advantage of what is already yours.

4.  Go Here’s the reward.  You & your family will have a trip planned, will have something fun to anticipate, will create family memories on the trip & will come back talking about, reliving & anticipating the next trip.  I’m not fooling.  That’s a win/win every time!

In the end, if you don’t plan then the likelihood is it won’t happen or a thrown-together Wish I woulda, shoulda, coulda! trip might transpire that will leave you feeling overwhelmed, greatly disappointed & a little foolish.  Aren’t you, your family & your time more valuable than that? So let’s get going & plan a trip!  Let us know on the Styled & Organized Living Facebook page where you’re headed.