On Projects*

This one is for the PM who travels too much, being one myself I can relate to the quest to find the perfect travel kit, taking up the smallest possible space and weighing next to nothing.

As a avid hiker in a previous life, I could be found the night before cutting my toothbrush in half, packing the famous “fred” tool (a 2×5 cm flat tool that was part spoon, part can opener, part knife (v blunt) and part bottle opener) and squeezing out anything liquid to only take the precise amount required for one week’s walking.

Fortunately in the business world you don’t need to be so dramatic but the quest for travel kit utopia persists!

So while I was cruising around the productivity blogs I came across “Building the Perfect Dopp Bag” by Brett from “The Art of Manliness” (Sorry girls, I really struggled with researching what the girl travels with tho Beth did help out with her blog post “How I Pack for any Length Trip in under 10 pounds“). Brett’s suggestions made me review my efforts and in doing so I thought I might add my two cents worth…

Dopp Bag Contents

• A couple of small zip-lock bags
• Shampoo (in FAA Compliant Travel Bottles)
• Shower Gel (not as messy as solid soap)
• Toothpaste (pick the smallest tube size, squeeze half out if you’re keen)
• Deodorant (go the small, light, mini option)
• Lip Balm

Note for liquids and gels: Consider putting these bottles into a zip lock bag to stop leakage but also to show airport security officials

• Toothbrush, Floss (again go the small travel option)
• Small electric razor (Life is too short to shave with a blade :)
• Multi-vitamin tablets and Berocca (for general health, jet lag and hangovers, use a small pill case instead of the whole bottle)
• Mini scissors, nail clippers (careful with airline travel)
• Ear plugs & eye mask (for sleeping just about anywhere!)
• Band-aids
• Hotel Sewing Kit, Safety Pins (thanks to the Le Meridien hotel chain)
• Ibuprofen (headache, pain)
• Imodium (anti-diuretic)
• Small lint roller or brush
• €20 (or USD) in small notes
• Pegless clothes line (try a outdoors store, very cool for emergency washing)
• Mini mag-light

It seems like a lot but if you focus on buying the smallest and lightest product or using samples you’ll be surprised how much space your Dopp bag still has. Now you just have to ignore the temptation to put more stuff in there!