INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Don't rely on your memory to get you through the tasks you need to get done. Write everything you need to do down in one spot and be prepared to reference this list often in order to achieve all of your goals. Even if a task seems minor or mundane, write it down. Your daily planner should be filled with small comments like "Call Steve," "Look up profit margins" or "Email boss." Make sure you carry a notepad with you at all times and write down tasks as they come up. You think you will remember to write them down later, but you may not. The simple addition of a daily calendar or planner to your set of organizational tools will help you organize time efficiently. Write down every new deadline, assignment or meeting that gets added to your schedule. Take time each morning to review your calendar for the day so you know what's ahead of you. Organize your schedule by avoiding overbooking yourself or committing yourself to too many projects or events at once. Check your calendar before agreeing to anything to verify that the time needed is free. This will keep your time organized and keep you in touch with your regular schedule. Organize your time productively by removing elements that could be distractions or cause you to get off track and behind schedule. Keep the television and video game system out of the area where you study or do the bills so you will focus on the tasks that need to be done first and save the fun stuff for later. Manage your time wisely by planning to accomplish the most important or time-sensitive tasks first. Note these in your schedule with a special color highlighter or a small sticker. Schedule these top-priority tasks first to give yourself enough time to complete them, then work on less time-sensitive things around the prioritized ones. Be ready to change your priorities from time to time. Things do come up last minute and will require your immediate attention. You will have to stop what you are doing and refocus your energy and time on this last minute objective from time to time. Just be sure it does not occur too often. If you find yourself consistently rearranging your priorities throughout the day, something is wrong. While minor adjustments to one's schedule can be expected, having to make consistent adjustments probably means you are not prioritizing properly in the first place. Allow yourself a realistic amount of time to complete each task. If you think something will take between a half hour and an hour to complete, give yourself the full hour. Being realistic about how long something will take will prevent you from getting overwhelmed or behind schedule. It is always safer to err on the side of caution and give yourself more time than you will need. If you finish your task early, you will be free to move on to the next task- which ultimately should not impact your productivity. Remember to include times for the everyday basics, like eating and showering, in your schedule. These might seem like second nature, but it's important to allow time for them among your other scheduled tasks to ensure that you don't skip them and that they don't put you behind schedule. Use simple reminders in addition to your daily planner to help remember important tasks or deadlines. Use sticky notes or voice or text alerts on your cell phone at certain times to remind yourself to do something or that you have something scheduled. This backup system will help keep you from forgetting things. Avoid relying on other people to remind you about something. They are just as likely to forget it as you are. If something is extremely important, arrange multiple reminders for yourself. You can overlook a single sticky note or phone alert. Ask someone else for help and delegate smaller tasks if needed. It will benefit your schedule overall if you swallow your pride and ask someone to pitch in with a few small chores around the house or with taking care of dinner on a busy weeknight. Make sure you delegate responsibilities to qualified people. Someone getting the work done is not enough. You want them to get the work done well. Don't make a habit of pawning off your work others. It does not reflect good time management skills. It just makes you look lazy and unmotivated. From time to time, it is necessary to take a step back and analyze what you accomplished, how well you performed, and how much time it took. Taking stock of these aspects of your work and life can help you make changes to your schedule and daily pattern of operation, producing surprisingly effective results. Working too hard or too often can lead to a burnout, making it difficult to focus on even the simplest tasks. So, take some time to celebrate what you have accomplished from time to time and reward yourself with something you truly enjoy. Make sure your down time is dedicated to enjoying yourself. Turn off your work phone and avoid answering emails. If you are mixing work with your leisure time, you really aren't rewarding yourself or avoiding burn out. If you work Monday to Friday, take the weekend off. If you have been working for three months straight on one project, take a brief vacation when you are finished with it.

SUMMARY: Write everything down. Use a calendar. Avoid double-committing. Omit distractions. Prioritize your tasks. Be realistic. Schedule the basics. Use a reminder system. Ask for help. Gauge your productivity. Reward yourself.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Use your computer or mobile device to check into your flight as soon as the twenty-four hour window opens. This will give you a better chance of not getting bumped off the plane if a delay occurs and your flight becomes oversold, and it will also reduce your time spent in line. If you fly often, then you might consider spending a little extra for a service like TSA pre-check, which allows you to skip the long lines and use a special, shorter line at check-in. This service requires a background check and there is an $85 fee. Having travel insurance is a huge help in case of a flight delay or cancellation. Pick a package that covers what you need, such as medical, travel protection, and baggage protection. Many policies will help cover your costs of a hotel room, meals, or other various expenses. Make sure to purchase your insurance well before your trip, as any storm systems that occur before your purchase will mostly likely not be covered. Make sure you're the first to know about any changes by signing up for instant notifications from the airport. This way, you can make arrangements quickly if a delay or cancellation does occur. Along with signing up for official airport notifications, download a third-party app that will notify you of delays. Sometimes third-party apps actually relay information about delays faster than the official airline website, so try downloading several such as TripIt Pro or App in the Air. If you've arranged for relatives or friends to pick you up from the airport, suggest these options to them so they can receive live updates on any flight schedule changes. Bring a few extra doses of prescription medication, pairs of underwear and socks, and maybe a laundry soap sheet to wash your clothes if the delay stretches on. Always make sure to write down everything you will need for your trip before you pack. This will save you time and help to ensure that you pack all of the necessary items. It is also a good idea to look up the airport's guidelines for how to pack certain items, such as liquids and toiletries. In case you end up stranded in weather that you weren't planning for, make sure to dress in layers to keep warm or cool. If you end up stuck at an airport or on the tarmac, you'll want to have some food and water with you. Pack some snacks and water in your carry-on in case of an emergency. Make sure to empty any water bottles before going through security, then fill them up in the terminal area. You can call the airline or check flight status online. If you notice delays online, contact the airline directly for more information. If weather is bad, flights into or out of the airport will be affected. Icy conditions, stormy weather and extreme weather events could definitely cause some problems. If bad weather is forecasted during your flight, contact the airport for more information and to check if they've announced any cancellations or delays due to the weather so you can reschedule.

SUMMARY:
Check in early. Get travel insurance. Sign up for airport notifications. Pack a few extra days' worth of essentials just in case. Pack layers in your carry-on for any kind of weather. Bring your own water and snacks. Check the status of your flight before going to the airport. Monitor the weather.