Finding Joy in the Journey: Planning for Success

Imagine this: A traveler steps off of a plane in a city they’ve never been before. They haven’t booked anywhere to stay, so they go outside to find a taxi to take them to the nearest hotel – and find that it is pouring rain. They didn’t check the weather forecast and didn’t pack a raincoat. They’re starving after the long plane ride, but they have no idea where to find a decent meal. They end up getting something out of a vending machine at the airport hotel. Basic needs addressed, they connect to the super-slow hotel Wi-Fi and begin researching the local “must-dos.” Everything seems to need advance reservations, and most things are booked up. Our traveler finally falls asleep, frustrated, exhausted and disappointed.

Now imagine a more prepared approach: You step off of a plane in a city you’ve never been before. You pull out your phone to text the hotel’s courtesy transportation, letting them know you are ready for pick up. You’re greeted by your driver outside the airport, pulling on a raincoat you packed in your carry-on bag. You’re driven to your hotel, where your room is ready. You check in, freshen up, then go downstairs to catch a taxi to a local restaurant you researched at home and can’t wait to try. Your table is waiting and, over a delicious dinner, you and your travel companions go over the carefully planned trip itinerary and discuss which activities you’re most looking forward to. Back in your room, you fall asleep, relaxed and excited for the experiences to come.

As an avid traveler, I have had both of these experiences. And through my travels, I have come to understand the importance of being intentional with planning. I know firsthand that the time I spend preparing for a trip is an investment in the experience and the memories I’ll create with those I’m traveling with. That’s a lesson I now carry with me on my travels, in my work and throughout my life.

Rewards of a Well-Planned Trip

Growing up, I loved traveling with my family: fishing trips, visiting the family cabin and countless baseball and soccer tournaments. As an adult, I cast my travel net even wider, making my first trip to Europe. It was fascinating to experience the cultural differences between each country I visited, and that trip ignited a fire in me to explore as much as possible.

Since then, my travels have run the gamut: from sleeping in the sand at the base of the Grand Canyon on a 10-day, 270-mile rafting trip, to being treated like royalty on the top floor of the Fairmont Château Lake Louise in Canada. One thing has remained constant: my love of traveling with family and friends, creating memories together that I will treasure forever. To me, these are the true rewards of a well-planned trip.

Finding Fulfillment in the Planning

Fortunately, my passion for travel intersects with my skill and enjoyment of planning. While I love the actual experience of traveling, the enjoyment I get from preparation and the anticipation I feel looking forward to a trip are almost equally fulfilling.

I’m exhilarated by the options and opportunities of a new place and get a deep sense of satisfaction from putting the pieces of a trip together to curate amazing experiences. I especially love planning family trips. These are giant, complex puzzles with many different schedules, interests and needs to take into consideration.

Planning trips is not everyone’s favorite activity. I have family and friends who I love to travel with, but they become exhausted or overwhelmed by the work necessary to make it happen. I am more than happy to step into the role of planner because it means I get to share my love of travel while creating enjoyable experiences with people I care about.

Parallels Between Travel and Financial Planning

The fulfillment I experience planning a trip with family or friends mirrors how I feel helping a client craft a plan to reach their goals. I get the same joy starting a group text with friends about our next golf trip as I do meeting with clients to discuss their retirement plans or how to leave a legacy for their future generations.

As an Advisor, I see a lot of parallels between travel and financial planning. In both instances, success starts with figuring out where you want to go, mapping how you’re going to get there and then moving toward that destination one step at a time.

In both cases, once you know the “where,” the next step is understanding your “why.” For example, I love to travel, but my real goal is to create memories in special places with people who are special to me. Travel is how I accomplish that goal.

Similarly, when talking with clients about their financial goals, I seek to understand the motivations driving those goals. Most people are not saving and investing simply to have a big number in the bank. So, we explore questions like: Why are you building up these assets? What are they going to help you do or feel? And, beyond money, what other assets — like time or relationships or experiences — do you need to reach those goals?

Don’t Delay Joy for the Destination

In both travel and financial planning, the importance of being proactive cannot be overstated. As our unprepared traveler demonstrated, waiting until the last minute to figure things out can lead to frustration, missed opportunities and less enjoyable experiences. You wouldn’t step off a plane and begin planning your trip at that moment, just as you wouldn’t wait until retirement is around the corner to start thinking about how you want to live in that phase of life. Starting early, with thoughtful preparation, gives you the best chance of success.

But beyond the planning, there’s a deeper lesson in both travel and financial goals: It’s not just about reaching the destination, but about enjoying the process. While you work toward a financial milestone or prepare for that dream vacation, make sure to appreciate the steps along the way. Life isn’t about waiting for the final achievement; it’s about embracing each moment.

Just as you don’t want to wait until you’re on the trip to begin planning, you shouldn’t wait until you’ve “made it” to start enjoying life. Whether you’re saving for retirement, investing in a future dream, or planning a getaway with loved ones, remember the old saying: it’s about the journey, not just the destination. Take pleasure in the anticipation, savor the small things, and, above all, enjoy each step of the way. After all, the memories you make and the satisfaction you feel aren’t just reserved for the destination — there’s joy to be found in the entire journey.