If one were to take a wild guess as to the things successful people do each morning, you might assume their days start pretty chaotic and full. Do they jump right into their huge to-do lists, check emails, and run out the door with their phone in one hand and a protein bar in the other?
It might surprise you that some of the world’s most successful people start their days with a very calm, low-key routine. Sounds boring, huh? The key is not necessarily in copying someone else’s specific routine, but in creating time in your morning to start it well. Waking up to chaos and rushing to the office doesn’t get your productivity off to a great start.
Here are a few things you can do to start your day well and put you on the road to greater success.
1. Start the night beforeA productive morning routine starts the night before. If you’re going to the gym, have your bag ready to go. Get your clothes picked out for the next day. Take care of any meal prep or lunches you need for yourself or your family. Having these simple things ready to go prevents “decision fatigue.” Save the first part of your day, when your mind is sharp, for your important decisions rather than burning all your energy on menial ones.
2. Early to bed, early to riseMany of the world’s most successful people get up early — we’re talking like 5 or 6 a.m. This is because that early start gives you the ability to set the right course for your day free of distractions.
“But I’m not a morning person!”
As it turns out, most of us don’t really struggle with getting up. We struggle with going to bed at a reasonable time. It’s a matter of setting your body clock to an earlier schedule on both ends. As a travel specialist, you know very well that a sleep routine is not really related to the number on the clock, but what your body is used to (hello jet lag!). So discipline yourself to go to bed early. Eventually, you will adjust to the new schedule.
3. Natural lightStill feel like you’re going to struggle with the morning thing? Ditch the blackout curtains! Your body’s circadian rhythms were designed to respond to light and darkness. That is why stepping out for some sunshine late in the day can help you prevent an afternoon crash. Letting the morning sun inside will help your body gently accept that “it’s time to get up,” whereas a dark room and a blaring alarm clock will interrupt your sleep cycle abruptly. This can be difficult in seasons with less daylight. If getting natural sunlight in your bedroom isn’t possible, you can buy a special “sunrise alarm clock” that wakes you up with gradual lighting.
4. Don’t reach for your phoneIf you’re not buying into the sunrise alarm idea, at least make sure you’re waking up with an actual alarm clock and not using your phone alarm. The temptation to start your morning scrolling social media or checking emails is just too tempting. Former Google employee, Tristan Harris, calls himself “an expert on how technology hijacks our psychological vulnerabilities.” He says this about waking up with your phone:
“When we wake up in the morning and turn our phone over to see a list of notifications — it frames the experience of ‘waking up in the morning’ around a menu of ‘all the things I’ve missed since yesterday.’”
Do you really want to start your day bombarded with requests, bad news or by playing the comparison game? Keep your phone on the other side of the room if you need to. Start your day by filling your mind with something encouraging and uplifting instead.
5. Drink waterI’m not brave enough to tell a bunch of hard-working travel professionals to cut out coffee, so we won’t even go there! You can keep your coffee, but before you reach for the good stuff, drink at least one large glass of water. Water clears your body of toxins, revs up your metabolism, increases alertness and supports brain function. If you want to take it a step further, add a squeeze of lemon to the water. According to Business Insider, top executives such as Arianna Huffington (Huffington Post) and Brand Lande (Birchbox Man) always start their day with a glass of lemon water. Lemons and other foods high in Vitamin C can help increase nutrient absorption, balancing your energy for the rest of the day.
6. Eat a healthy breakfastDon’t skip breakfast or settle for a drive-thru donut on your way to work. Making the right choice for breakfast can have a huge impact on your energy levels and mental acuity for the whole day. Paleo, Whole30, Keto… Sometimes the recommendations on what to eat can be overwhelming. But whatever your dietary preference, almost everyone can agree that a great breakfast should include foods with high nutritional value. This includes protein (brain food), complex carbohydrates, and colorful produce. Avoid empty calories such as refined sugars and highly processed foods.
7. Get in a workoutWhether it’s pilates or Zumba, laps around the neighborhood or laps at the pool, the important thing is to get moving! Long-term, a daily habit of physical exercise keeps you strong and healthy. But a morning workout routine can also help boost your daily productivity. You will find yourself feeling more energized, focused, and confident. People who work out regularly also experience lower stress levels and a stronger immune system.
8. Write a listDon’t waste your brain space trying to mentally store and organize everything you need to do in the day. Write things down and cross them off as you accomplish them. Writing down your goals at the beginning of the day will also help you prioritize and tackle the things that are most important. Without a set plan, we are likely to brush off our large, uncomfortable tasks until they’re absolutely unavoidable.
The secret of self-discipline“Discipline is remembering what you want.” -David Campbell
While not all successful people share the exact same morning routine, the world’s greatest entrepreneurs and influencers usually have one thing in common: self-discipline. They know what they want and they go for it, guarding themselves fiercely against distractions from all sides.
Do you work from home? Creating a productive routine and minimizing distractions can be a little more challenging for the telecommuter or self-employed travel professional. Learn how to create a highly productive environment in your home office!

When booking a flight you don't want to book only a couple days before and miss out on the best deals. Prices on tickets change on average every 4-5 days on a average of $33 up or down. In these nest few paragraphs I have complied tips on tricks on how you can save money as well as when the best time to book a flight is. 
The most important thing to remember is don't wait till the last week. Prices usually go up about 25% during that time. According to cheapAir international flights...."stay fairly flat for a few months, then start to creep up slowly, until abut 90 days before departure when the place of starts to accelerate." The cheapest time to book a flight is within five and a half months and one month prior from departure. Think about it as hitting the sweet spot, trying to book a flight 7 months in advanced you wont get good prices and waiting till the last minute you will get very expensive prices but getting it right in the middle is when the price will be at it's best. 
In closing some of the last tips I have is always look for deals and savings! Within the 6 months of looking always be checking up for deals and special sales your airline may be having at the time. You wont always get the cheapest flight or the best deals but there are always ways to get the long end of the stick. The very last and maybe the most important tip I have is when is the best day to book a flight? This always depends on the airline and where you are traveling to but the cheapest day and time is Tuesday at midnight. You can save about 6% on your flights. I hope these short tips can help you next time your booking a flight! 

Traveling can be stressful even when going on short trips. When packing a large suitcase it only adds to your stress. Have you ever considered packing just a carry on? Well here is how!
The typical airline will allow you a bag that is up to 45 inches total after adding all of the dimensions. Carry your electronics in a messenger bag or backpack and leave your other carry on for all of your essentials. For women, wear the jewelry that you must have so you do not have to pack it.
For clothing, try to wear what is heaviest while traveling. Shoes tend to take up the most space so bring pairs that are versatile. Jeans can be worn three times easily and shirts twice. Take the basics and add a scarf or statement necklace to make an outfit look different. Rolling all of your items is the most efficient way to pack all of your belongings into a confined space. Use the provided hotel toiletries so you do not have to take your own.
Try it out! Who knows maybe you will continue to pack this way. Have fun.