Listful Thinking

This index contains many of the lists I mentioned throughout this book. I hope you’ll use them as a reference and a jumping off point to make your own customized lists. For more lists like this visit my site, ListProducer.com.

My List Producer journey began with this checklist. So I thought it only appropriate to share it with all of you. It can be customized, but it's really the preparation you do before you step foot into a potential home of yours that will help you most.

✓ Cell phone and charger

✓ Digital camera, batteries, memory cards

✓ iPod/MP3 player and headphones

✓ eReader

✓ Travel guide(s)

✓ Antibiotic cream

✓ Anti-diarrheal medication

✓ Band-Aids

✓ Birth control

✓ Bug repellent

✓ Extra pair of eyeglasses

✓ 1% Hydrocortisone anti-itch cream

✓ Lubricant

✓ Pain reliever

✓ Prescription medicines

✓ Sea-sickness bands or pills (for cruises)

✓ Business cards

✓ Cash

✓ Driver's license

✓ Emergency numbers

✓ Itinerary

✓ Marriage license

✓ Paper airline tickets or eTicket confirmation / Passport

✓ Pre-paid phone card

✓ Sign-in or guest book for wedding

✓ Items for welcome bags

✓ Antibacterial gel

✓ Cotton swabs

✓ Keys

✓ Lint roller

✓ Massage oil

✓ Plastic Ziploc® bags

✓ Playing cards

✓ Sunglasses

✓ Sunscreen/SPF

✓ Umbrella

✓ Groom/Bride gifts

✓ Wedding attire

✓ Athletic or walking shoes

✓ Belts

✓ Boxers/Briefs

✓ Casual shirts

✓ Dress shirts

✓ Dress shoes

✓ Hat

✓ Pants

✓ Pajamas/Robe

✓ Sandals

✓ Shorts

✓ Sports jacket

✓ Swimwear

✓ Tie(s)

✓ T-shirts/Undershirts

✓ Workout clothes

✓ Men's toiletries

✓ Comb/Brush

✓ Deodorant

✓ Floss

✓ Lip balm

✓ Shaving kit/Shaving cream

✓ Shampoo/Conditioner/Styling products

✓ Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Mouthwash

✓ Wedding attire

✓ Other clothing and accessories

✓ Bathing suit(s)

✓ Bras

✓ Panties

✓ Lingerie

✓ Jewelry—earrings, necklaces, bracelets / Dresses

✓ Heels

✓ Pareu/Sarong/Big scarf

✓ Robe

✓ Sandals

✓ Shorts/Capris

✓ Skirt(s)

✓ Slacks

✓ Sneakers or walking shoes

✓ Socks

✓ Stylish shirt

✓ Sweater

✓ Straw or wide-brimmed hat

✓ Tanks/Halters/Sleeveless tops

✓ Thongs

✓ Workout clothes

✓ Baby powder

✓ Blow dryer/Straightening iron / Comb/Brush

✓ Cosmetic case/Makeup bag / Deodorant

✓ Foot deodorant (actually helps to minimize cuts from sandals)

✓ Makeup case

✓ Makeup remover

✓ Facial cleanser

✓ Moisturizer/SPF

✓ Tampons

✓ Liners

✓ Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Mouthwash / Dental floss

✓ Shampoo/Conditioner/Styling products / Hair ties / Tweezers / Earrings / Headpiece

✓ Veil

✓ Wedding shoes

Traveling can be very stressful no matter how much you plan. But there are some tips and tricks that I’ve found help. I’ve traveled quite a lot with my friend Nicole, whom I’ve mentioned before. We teamed up to write this list of travel must-haves.

✓ Busuu (to translate simple phrases when you’re abroad)

✓ The Layover (to learn about Anthony Bourdain's fave spots, if applicable, in your travel zone)

✓ Trip Advisor (for last-minute restaurant reviews when you’re on the go)

✓ New Pilates (for mini hotel-room workouts sans a hotel gym)

✓ Compass (so you always know what direction to walk)

✓ Weather Channel (preload your destination so you’ll never get caught in the rain)

✓ Evernote (for all your itineraries, saved notes, directions, etc.)

✓ TripIt (to keep track of all confirmation numbers and a chronological look at your day)

✓ Next Issue (a way to keep your favorite magazines on your iPad instead of lugging them with you)

✓ PressReader (stay on top of the news from anywhere in the world with your favorite newspapers)

✓ Cashmere wrap for the plane

✓ Tieks for walking and easy packing

✓ Lightweight rain jacket

✓ A neutral wristlet for evening

✓ Mini umbrella

✓ Slippers for hotel rooms and airplane

✓ Crossbody purse with lots of pockets

✓ Eye mask for the plane

✓ Splitter for headphones (so two can watch a movie)

✓ Headphones

✓ An iPad or other tablet with a keyboard case

✓ Space Bags®

✓ A bright luggage tag / Travel pillow

✓ Truvia® packets (to avoid chemical influx abroad)

✓ A pen and a mini notepad (to write down recommendations or directions)

✓ Mini disinfectant spray for the hotel room's phone, remote, etc.

✓ A separate bag to keep dirty laundry

✓ Plastic baggies (you never know when you might need them)

✓ Disinfectant wipes (individually wrapped)

✓ Mini misters (to keep your skin hydrated during flight)

✓ Mini lip balms in various tints

✓ Roll-on perfume vials

✓ Blister block (a mini deodorant for your feet that also helps to prevent blisters)

1. Smile. It's simple. I’ve started doing this whenever I talk to someone. Sometimes it feels forced, but I always do it. When ordering at the deli or walking into a building with a doorman, I smile at the person helping me. Instantly, it brightens their face too.

2. Take that flyer. If you’re a New Yorker like me, you know how annoying people can be handing out coupons and flyers on the street. I’ve come to embrace this irritating scenario. Next time someone waves a flyer in your face, take it. No one likes to be rejected. That person is just doing a job, and you can make it a little easier by simply being easygoing. You can throw it out on the next corner, or maybe you’ll find you need the information after all.

3. Send a note. People don’t send cards enough these days. I’m a total stationery freak, so I appreciate all kinds of paper. Send someone a personalized, handwritten note just to say hi. It will lift that person's spirits to receive a happy note and not another bill in the mail. You could also write a sweet message on a Post-it® note, and stick it on a mirror or computer monitor.

4. Listen. Sometimes people just want to be heard. I’ve learned that this will help you be an extraordinary friend. You don’t always have to have a solution; sometimes the best remedy is just listening to someone.

5. Say thank you. When someone does something nice for you, whether in a store or a restaurant or on the street, say thank you. And really mean it. Give credit where credit is due. People like positive reinforcement.

6. Share. Lend someone your favorite book, share your favorite cookie recipe, e-mail a cute picture of a dog, tell a funny story or a joke. Spreading joy can be really simple. Start with stuff that you like. Isn’t that how “Oprah's Favorite Things” came to be?

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