Have a plan.As every successful project begins with a plan, international travel requires a lot of planning. You want to ensure you’ll have a comfortable place to stay, near what you want to see and do. My family has dietary restrictions, which also need to be accommodated. That expands my need to plan before travelling. Building a travel plan, even with help from a tour company, requires laying out requirements, having backup plans, and knowing who and how you will contact someone should you need assistance. And, like with projects, everything doesn’t go to plan! Flight delays, closed attractions, weather changes, or cultural stumbles can derail your carefully laid-out holiday. Be ready for things to be different, and don’t spend too much time recovering your plan. Go forward from where you are at any moment, just like when managing a project!
Fully understand your contingencies! As mentioned earlier, rarely will everything go to plan. Defining a backup for assistance when things go wrong is vital. But that isn’t all! You must know how (and often test) that communication. International calling plans might not work as intended. Standard texting might appear like it’s working, but it isn’t. One of the hotels I stayed in didn’t have telephones in their rooms; instead, they requested you reach out via WhatsApp if you needed anything! It worked great, but I had to be prepared for that. Beyond ensuring you can communicate when you need help, it’s also good to have backup in other areas. Have maps downloaded so you can use them offline. My backup plans include keeping electronic copies of passports and being ready to use multiple payment methods. Just as projects require risk management, international travel requires a contingency mindset. I am thankful I have risk management experience – it always comes in handy!
Be flexible with expectations. Being ok when things change is also helpful to ensure travels are enjoyable. The museum you want to visit might be closed, or unexpected bad weather can dampen your plans for the day. My experience managing projects has taught me that strict adherence to my original plan creates more issues than it solves. Embrace a flexibility mindset; it will lead to better experiences instead of dwelling on things that don’t go according to plan. Frequently, a restaurant recommendation from a guide or hotel employee, or an unplanned detour through a cool little village, has become a highlight of my journey. Enjoy a bit of spontaneity. It can improve your holiday, just like it can enhance your project outcomes.
Appreciate the unexpected rather than be stressed by it.When language issues force creative communication, enjoy the challenge, and celebrate the human ability to reach out even when words won’t work. Let transportation issues lead to places you didn’t expect you’d visit. Consider it a learning opportunity when cultural differences challenge your assumptions. Convert the stress of dealing with the unexpected into excitement about overcoming obstacles and creating unique experiences. Having this mindset will enhance your holiday, just like it can make managing a project much more enjoyable.