I use Plan Plus Online to do my general overview and scheduling - and then I sync that with my smartphone (iPhone now, Treo before this). I carry around a notebook for big ideas or to-do lists that get transferred to tasks in Plan Plus Online. Before Plan Plus, I was managing everything through Outlook but it wasn't as efficient for me.
What do you find gives you energy with your 15+ hour days?
Energy for my day happens through good lifestyle practices. I eat fairly healthy throughout the entire day. People that hang out with me are amazed at how much I eat - but it's generally all healthy. Lots of protein, low on the processed carbs and very little sugar (save cupcakes) and fat (save cheese). Sure, I have an off day or three (fudge for breakfast, anyone?) but overall, I eat a healthy, small-meals-all-through-the-day diet.
I go in phases where I write everything down and monitor every gram (using Livestrong.com) of everything that goes into my mouth to less draconian monitoring habits. I probably spend 1/3 of my year with hardcore monitoring to keep myself honest.
I also meditate in short bursts throughout the week in the morning and work out (cardio, pilates, boot camp or weights) at least 5 times a week.
I think all of those things really help with the energy throughout the day.
Is it safe to assume you don't watch tv?
It is safe to assume we don't have a tv hooked up in our household. I haven't ever had a tv in any home or apartment I've lived in as an adult, preferring to read instead. That's not to say that we don't watch movies or indulge in the occasional Hulu show (Glee, anyone?) but for the most part, we are a non-tv household. My parents emphasized games for family activities rather than television watching and that stuck. But, since I read so much (including People magazine and Entertainment Weekly), I stay pretty caught up on all the pop culture - enough to lowest-common-denominator gossip with the best of them.
Can I ask something else? Why bramble berry, otion and soap queen, instead to be just one brand ?
This is a great question. The short answer is that I am always planning for the future and I wanted to give myself the option to spin off one or any of the companies should the perfect buyer come along without harming the others.
It's appropriate for me to be writing this post today because I'm traveling, again. In addition to travel for executive education, I travel for business meetings and speaking engagements. There are just some business meetings that can't be done over the phone or even via Skype. Big meetings with vendors or large customers generally require a face to face to just get that 'gut check' done. And speaking engagements are better done in person.
Because I travel so much, I have some travel tips:
1. Pay the extra $3 to park at the closest park'n'ride to the airport. It's worth it for the 15 minutes of stopping, starting and general slowness otherwise.
2. If your flight takes off at any time before 7 a.m. and you don't live next to the airport, invest the $99 to just stay at the airport. You'll be getting up at 5 anyways and it's just easier to not fight traffic.
3. Don't check unless your trip is over 5 days or you want full size liquids. You pay money to check bags and then you have to wait for the checked bags.
4. Don't be the jerk with the extra-large carry on. If you need to check a bag, just give in and check the bag. Don't be the person that is stuffing the entire overhead bin full, hitting people with your bag and generally being obnoxious. If you do check, pack your important documents in your carry-on. The 1 time out of 100 that your bags get lost will be the one time your marriage license/important presentation/passport is in your checked luggage.
5. Middle seats are only fun when you are under 4 feet tall and weigh less than 100 pounds.
6. It's easiest to fall asleep during take off. I don't know why. It doesn't make any sense.
7. Flights over 7 hours need Ambien or Lunestra. There is never enough reading, movie watching or talking to your seatmate to last 7 hours.
8. Your seatmate. Don't talk to them unless they clearly are looking to make a new networking connection. If they have their headphones in, have buried themselves in a book or are studiously ignoring you, let them be introverted and enjoy their flight.
9. Babies cry. It's the nature of things. It doesn't mean that the Mom holding the baby is a terrible mother and deserves your wrath and dirty looks. Travel with earplugs if you must have silence.
10. Mascara looks terrible after a 4 hour flight. If you are a woman, resist the urge to wear much make up on travel day. You just look like a wilted, sad wreck when you arrive at your destination unless you're extremely proficient at bathroom touch ups.
11. Wear clothes that you could wear to your first meeting on to the flight. You never know when you are going to need to dash from the (late) flight to your first meeting. Dress business casual at the very least.
12. When you feel like taking a cell phone call prior to the flight taking off yet after you've boarded, consider ignoring the call and sending a text message. No one wants to hear your call,
13. When you feel like taking a cell phone call prior to boarding, walk a discrete distance away from the crowd. No one wants to hear your call.
14. Yelling at flight attendants makes those around you uncomfortable. If you're that uptight, might I suggest Xanex?
15. If your flight is delayed, do not switch airports. It never ends well.
16. If your flight is canceled, call your office and have them start checking available flights for you. When you get to the counter to have your flight rebooked, have your action plan already laid out for the nice customer service person. Ideally, while your office/spouse/friend is checking flights for you, you'll be on the 1-800 line checking for alternative routes so you don't even need to step to the counter. Always have a back up plan.
17. If you can use miles to buy any of the 'Executive Boardroom' passes, do it. It makes waiting at the airport much easier.
18. When you go through security, have your documents out, your identification at the ready and all your liquids in a clear zip lock baggie; take your coat, scarf, watch and shoes off; empty your pockets. Do this all in 20 seconds or less. You had 10 minutes standing in the Security Line to get prepped. Be efficient.
19. Taxis and public transportation in large cities are a miracle. Use them. Resist the urge to spend $100 a day on a car you'll never use because you don't know your way and are scared to drive.
20. Say 'Thank You' at every opportunity you get. Traveling is not fun nor glamorous. You might as well make it as pleasant as possible.
If you have any other tips or questions, post them below. I would love to hear how you make travel more easy, enjoyable and delightful for yourself and others.
The Emerald Green starts out a lot more green when you first put it into the soap but then slowly turns into a beautiful pastel green. It is a lovely color and would work well with lots of springtime fragrances.
Patti also made this exotic looking bar with our Luster Black Mica, Sparkle Gold Mica and (sadly discontinued) Blue Pearl Mica. Though the fragrance she used will discolor, she's thrilled about the discoloration because the colors will 'pop' even more with the discoloration. The contrast will highlight the micas even more.
Thanks for the report, Patti!
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