How would your friends, family, co-workers and customers cope if a transit strike hit your city? Award winning Professional Organizer Karen Sencich shares tips on how to manage.
Canada (Press Release) April 18, 2008 --
Brampton, Ontario – April 18, 2008 – Many of us struggle with morning exit routines as we try to get out the door and off to work or school. Being forced to reorganize our morning timetable during a potential transit strike seems overwhelming.
Don’t agonize! Instead, get organized. Be proactive and develop a contingency plan for any obstacle. Remember that a transit shutdown will pose major inconveniences during the morning and evening rush hours as well as when heading out to evening activities.
• Anticipate the domino effect – how will your change of routine affect the travel plans of your spouse and children? Arrange back up plans with daycare providers and organize carpools to after school events in the event that you are held up in traffic. What resources can you call on for help? Grandparents, friends and neighbours may be available to pitch in.
• You’ll be leaving earlier and getting home later so simplify your routines and plan for wash-and-go hair, fuss free fashions, easy-to-execute meals and pack brown bag lunches to avoid having to travel during the noon rush.
• Act now to create a carpool from your database of acquaintances at work, or church, or sports clubs etc. Rotate driving duties and follow carpool etiquette. Don’t drink, eat or smoke in the car without permission. Honour your colleague’s time by adhering to the timetable for pick ups and drop offs. If you are the driver, strictly obey the rules of the road and be prepared to yield to other drivers and pedestrians. Remain calm and avoid road rage incidents.
• Co-ordinate a new commuting timetable and set a realistic departure time from home to allow for heavy traffic, picking up/dropping off passengers and locating a park spot. Gas up at night to avoid lineups. Strategically plan your route to minimize time in traffic and postpone non-essential errands until the strike is over.
• Are you planning to walk, bike, rollerblade or skateboard to get to where you need to be? Perform a safety check of your equipment and wear proper safety gear and reflective clothing. Review the rules of the road and proper hand signals. Be cautious in the traffic chaos.
• Plan your wardrobe for all possible weather conditions, rain or shine. Carry a backpack or tote bag containing an umbrella, a hat, wind breaker, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. A thermos of coffee will save time in lineups at the drive thru.
• Develop checklists and keep everything you need packed and ready to go. Don’t forget parking money, keys, briefcase, backpack, lunch bags and homework assignments. You don’t want to have to return for forgotten items.
• Call ahead if you are running late. At work, avoid out of office meetings by substituting video or teleconference calls. Ask your employer whether you can switch to flex time, trade shifts with a co-worker or perhaps work from home. Check if local hotels or motels will offer group rates for employees to stay in town. It will be harder on the budget, but easier on the nerves.
• Most importantly – exercise patience and build wiggle room into your schedule. Use a map book to determine alternate routes to get around. Listen for radio updates on weather and traffic to stay ahead of the pack!
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Don’t agonize! Instead, get organized. Be proactive and develop a contingency plan for any obstacle. Remember that a transit shutdown will pose major inconveniences during the morning and evening rush hours as well as when heading out to evening activities.
• Anticipate the domino effect – how will your change of routine affect the travel plans of your spouse and children? Arrange back up plans with daycare providers and organize carpools to after school events in the event that you are held up in traffic. What resources can you call on for help? Grandparents, friends and neighbours may be available to pitch in.
• You’ll be leaving earlier and getting home later so simplify your routines and plan for wash-and-go hair, fuss free fashions, easy-to-execute meals and pack brown bag lunches to avoid having to travel during the noon rush.
• Act now to create a carpool from your database of acquaintances at work, or church, or sports clubs etc. Rotate driving duties and follow carpool etiquette. Don’t drink, eat or smoke in the car without permission. Honour your colleague’s time by adhering to the timetable for pick ups and drop offs. If you are the driver, strictly obey the rules of the road and be prepared to yield to other drivers and pedestrians. Remain calm and avoid road rage incidents.
• Co-ordinate a new commuting timetable and set a realistic departure time from home to allow for heavy traffic, picking up/dropping off passengers and locating a park spot. Gas up at night to avoid lineups. Strategically plan your route to minimize time in traffic and postpone non-essential errands until the strike is over.
• Are you planning to walk, bike, rollerblade or skateboard to get to where you need to be? Perform a safety check of your equipment and wear proper safety gear and reflective clothing. Review the rules of the road and proper hand signals. Be cautious in the traffic chaos.
• Plan your wardrobe for all possible weather conditions, rain or shine. Carry a backpack or tote bag containing an umbrella, a hat, wind breaker, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. A thermos of coffee will save time in lineups at the drive thru.
• Develop checklists and keep everything you need packed and ready to go. Don’t forget parking money, keys, briefcase, backpack, lunch bags and homework assignments. You don’t want to have to return for forgotten items.
• Call ahead if you are running late. At work, avoid out of office meetings by substituting video or teleconference calls. Ask your employer whether you can switch to flex time, trade shifts with a co-worker or perhaps work from home. Check if local hotels or motels will offer group rates for employees to stay in town. It will be harder on the budget, but easier on the nerves.
• Most importantly – exercise patience and build wiggle room into your schedule. Use a map book to determine alternate routes to get around. Listen for radio updates on weather and traffic to stay ahead of the pack!
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