Preparation: Checklist Chaos
Darin & Natalie Moss have recently started a 100 day trip to New Zealand, Australia, and points beyond. Travel has always been a major enjoyment of their lives, but seeing the world in work-permitted two-week segments had some significant limitations. After much contemplation and planning, their career break is here and with it, the goal of restoring a much needed balance between life, family, and work. You can follow their journey on their website The Next Journey and on Twitter @tnjdotcom
Before their departure, Darin described the endless checklists that seemed to takeover every stage of their planning.
“I’m in Checklist Chaos… Where’s the Exit, Please?”
“I can’t wait to board the plane… I can’t wait to board the plane…”
As planning for the big trip continues, it’s turning into a mantra that I continue to recite to myself as I once again fold the lined 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper in half, in half again, and one final fold to get the result to a manageable size. As I tuck it away, this sheet joins its brothers and sisters as just one of a stack of several pieces of paper all quarter folded now in my front right pocket. This small stack of paper has become the source for most of my brain power when I am not at work…
What’s on these carefully folded sheets of paper? Checklists. Pages and pages of checklists.
When we finally made the decision to go on this trip, the realities of our new situation finally began to sink in. We would be gone for 100 days. 14+ weeks. Over 3 months.
My brain took over immediately and it really didn’t stop until I had spit out over half a dozen pages of neat little boxes. Next to every square was the “needed to be completed” task at its side, each one begging for the checkmark that would signify completion and a release from the panic that a set of uncompleted tasks can bring to the Type-A Project Manager type of person that I am.
One page is titled, “Things to Pack”.
One page is titled, “Things I Want to Do on the Trip”.
One is titled, “Things That Must Get Done While We’re Gone”.
And the list of pages just grew and grew.
In short order, my brain had begun to operate in overdrive – identifying, documenting, and attempting to wrap itself around every possible thing that needed to be accomplished before, during, and immediately after the trip in one excruciating chaotic pass.
I couldn’t believe some of the things that had ended up on my lists: (Some actual entries)
– Adjust for Daylight Savings on Battery Powered Clocks Before We Leave
– Develop Christmas Shopping Approach for Family with Limited Window to Purchase Gifts
– Identify TV Shows to Watch in the Fall Season to Remote Program the DVR While We’re Gone
After the initial checklist brain dump was mostly finished, it was astonishing to see what had actually been written on these lists, or more humbling, what my brain had determined was “important” in this process.
It was eye opening and a little scary at the same time. Seriously, who is going to be looking at the clocks in the house or watching new episodes of House while we were gone? And what in the world is a “Christmas shopping approach”?
After a couple Tylenol and a nap, the checklists were pared down and a good number of “the brain thought this was important, but it really isn’t” tasks were banished to a place that would never see the light of day again.
There is still a lot to do on the lists. One thing is certain — I hope that with the start of this trip, I can find the little switch that can turn my extremely overactive brain off for a little while, or if that can’t happen, that I can be reminded through this experience about what the truly important is, and learn that it is possible to just let the rest go.
Your Turn: When you look at your own checklists and “Things to Do”, what are the things that are truly important? What needs to be pared down? Tell us about one truly important thing on your list and one item that really wouldn’t destroy the world if it didn’t get done today. You might even be surprised by your own response!
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.