Unplanned
Let’s plan to be unplanned. Since my Backpack Adventures began, I’ve been struggling with the concept of being unplanned. I expected the journey to be filled with spontaneity, creativity, and a more fulfilling life. The reality is:
A Fear of Being Unprepared
I am a planner, and I am surrounded by Super Planners. We use checklists, actions plans, timelines, spreadsheets, travel itineraries, mind mapping, and calendars to organize our projects. Our future is created by utilizing tools and techniques. We set goals, track progress and never miss a deadline.
Is it possible our superskills developed more from fear than a desire to succeed?
Our best pro athlete clients tell us they hate to lose more than they love to win. This I understand. My fear of failure is more powerful than my will to succeed. This leads me to my current struggle:
My attempts to be unplanned are not going as planned.
After three weeks on the open road, I have done nothing unplanned. All of my amazing adventures are the result of careful planning.
First, I had work commitments to keep me on a schedule. Then, family commitments. Now, friends.
A friend of mine read my original blog and asked to join in on my unplanned adventures. They said:
I need to be more spontaneous. Can I come with you?
As soon as I said yes, my friend started planning.
Where will we go? Where will we stay? What will we do?
My friend’s fear of the unknown sparked a need to control.
I want to go there. I want to stay here. I want to do this.
Control brings us back to comfort and safety.
I did some research and found us a place to go, a place to stay, and activities to do.
My friend’s fear of the unknown is greater than their desire to be spontaneous.
All I could do was laugh. I’ll save my unplanned adventure for next week – after I enjoy a perfectly planned vacation with my friend.
My adventures may not be spontaneous or unplanned yet, but I am definitely creating a more fulfilling life.
Let’s plan to be unplanned together. Not today, but sometime soon. Stay tuned.
