My Top Travel Hacks (a.k.a. How I Stay Sane on the Road)

I’ve been traveling a lot lately, mostly for business, and with each trip, I’ve fine-tuned what I like to call my “travel sanity system.” Between running my insurance agency, leading my Digital Bootcamp, and being a single mom in a blended family, I’ve got a lot of balls in the air. Add airports, suitcases, and Wi-Fi that decides to die on me when I most need it, and let’s just say it takes more than luck to keep it all running smoothly.

Here are my top travel hacks, the things that help me work effectively, stay organized, and still have enough energy to come home smiling.

1. Be Where Your Feet Are

This is my golden rule. When I travel, I’m fully present. That doesn’t mean I never check in at home or peek at my inbox, it just means that wherever I am, that’s where my head is too. If I’m meeting clients or attending a conference, I’m all in. If I’m on the flight home, I’m decompressing or catching up on light work. Splitting focus only leads to frustration, so I’ve learned to give my attention to what’s right in front of me.

2. Pack Light, Really Light

I used to overpack. (Haven’t we all?) But I’ve learned that the last thing I need is to waste time lugging extra outfits I’ll never wear. These days, I’ve got packing down to a science:

• Rolling clothes instead of folding them.

• Packing cubes to keep everything organized.

• Neutrals and mix-and-match outfits because, I’m not walking a fashion runway, I’m walking through airports.

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Most of my trips fit easily into a carry-on. No waiting at baggage claim and no stress about lost luggage.

3. Front-Load the Work

Before a trip, I try to get as much work done as possible. It’s not always perfect, but it means I’m not returning home to chaos. I’ll block time to clear my inbox, finalize projects, and touch base with my team so they’re empowered to keep everything humming along.

BTW, having an incredible team makes all the difference. They handle things beautifully while I’m away, which lets me focus on doing my best work wherever I am.

4. Protect the “In-Flight Zone”

Airplane time is gold. I treat it like a private office in the sky. With no phone calls or meetings, I can read, review documents, or write notes for upcoming projects. Sometimes I even use the time to catch up on sleep but that doesn’t happen often. My key is to plan ahead, download what I need before takeoff, bring noise-canceling headphones, and guard that time like treasure.

5. Don’t Overschedule Yourself

I used to fill every minute of my trips. I’d land, hit meetings, dinners, emails, rinse, repeat. But I realized that burning the candle at both ends makes me less effective and definitely less pleasant to be around!

Now I intentionally leave white space in my travel calendar. Even one early night can reset my energy and help me perform better the next day. Sleep isn’t a luxury; it’s a tool.

6. Plan Around the People Who Matter

Whenever possible, I book flights that let me see my girls before I leave or right when I return. It doesn’t always work out, thank you, airline schedules, but when it does, it makes all the difference. Knowing I’ve had that time grounds me and keeps the mom part of my heart at peace while I’m in business mode.

7. Let Go of Perfection (and Guilt)

Things go wrong. Flights get delayed, Wi-Fi disappears, and sometimes I can’t be everywhere I want to be. Instead of beating myself up, I focus on gratitude.I get to do work I love. I get to meet amazing people. I get to show my daughters that you can build a business, travel, and still be deeply present for your family. That perspective keeps me balanced and grounded even at 35,000 feet.

Travel isn’t always glamorous, but it can be smooth and satisfying with the right systems and mindset and always (always) be where your feet are.

PS If you have any questions about your insurance, I'm your girl. Connect with me and I'm always happy to provide answers and helpful advice.