This morning I woke up thinking about Summer 2021—a time when I believe the pandemic will be under-control, thanks to vaccines, and we can begin to think about resuming some activities that have been on pause.
I ask myself, “What would I do if I could do anything?” A trip on a train? A trek in Europe? A road trip or bike trip? Gathering with family and friends in a special place? Take a class? Brush-up on or learn a sport? Go kayaking, river rafting, golfing, skiing, skydiving or snorkeling? Learn to fly a plane or helicopter? Go hiking, camping or backpacking? Learn a new language? Run a marathon or do a triathlon? Learn to scuba dive or water ski? Go fishing or hunting? Do a walking tour? Go wine tasting?
What I have found is it’s most effective to commit to an adventure well in advance, so you can block the time on your calendar and plan it. Otherwise, the time will come and go, and it won’t happen.
Six years ago I took an epic backpacking trip on The John Muir Trail. This summer I will be taking another backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada that I’ll begin to plan in the coming weeks and months.
My friends and I as we embarked on the John Muir Trail in August of 2014.
Experiences Over Stuff
According to research, buying experiences rather than material goods makes you happier! After we buy stuff, clothes or a couch for instance, they stay the same so we stop noticing them. Whereas experiences bring variety, anticipation and memories. We get more joy from the anticipation of experiences than we do from the anticipation of material purchases. However, if you’re buying something that facilitates experiences and adventure, such as a bike, go for it!
Give an Adventure
Adventures are great gifts. As I mentioned, spending money on experiences makes you happier. So does spending money on other people, so if you combine the two, it’s double the value! There are websites, such as Cloud 9 Living, where you can find and buy adventures for people.
Ignite Your Life 2021
Join me for Ignite Your Life 2021. Each year I do annual planning with family and friends. This year, as we look towards 2021, I’m expanding my planning and visioning tent and would like to invite each of you, and your family and friends, to join me.
There is no cost to participate. I’ve scheduled four 1-hour Zoom sessions to Ignite Your Life for 2021. I will kick this planning party off on December 11 at noon PT (3 p.m. ET). You can register here. Subsequent sessions will be on December 18, January 8 and 15.
You can learn more about it in my newsletter from last week. Dozens of people have already registered, and the more the merrier!
To planning your next adventure!
Barbara Fagan-Smith
CEO, ROI Communication
Chief Catalyst, Living ROI
