“Planning is essential, but plans are useless.”
Yosemite: Little Yosemite, Clouds Rest, Illilouette Falls
My nephew and I both share a love for the outdoors. Ever since he was a young teen, we would connect through sharing our stories of camping and backpacking. Every time I would visit family in Virginia, our time to catch up always consisted of a trip to REI.
During this time, the idea of backpacking Yosemite was brought up. I told him when he was old enough, I'd take him into the backcountry to show him the beauty of the park.
At the end of May, we did just that. Our first ever camping and backpacking experience with each other was a blast.
Our original plan was to start in Tuolumne Meadows, a part of the park I've been to a number of times during previous trips.
I planned the route, calculated miles-per-day, and sent him photos of the area. We were both looking forward to it.
As the trip got closer, I learned that Tioga Road would not open until after our dates. In the past, I got lucky with the park opening the road earlier in May, but not this time.
So, about a week before he flew out, I had to plan a different route. Based on suggestions from Park rangers, I planned something that would send us to some of the original route. Great. All systems go.
We arrive at the ranger station to pick up our permit. We were presented with some conflicting info from a ranger that wouldn't allow us to do the second planned route. Disappointed, we had to plan a third route on the spot, with the ranger helping us.
Honestly, we didn't care—we were just happy that we were there in the park. I told him, "It's Yosemite. No matter where we go, we can't go wrong."
Most of this third route was new to me, so I was excited to see parts of the park I've never been to.
During hikes between campsites, day hikes, and relaxing moments staring at the landscape, I kept thinking about the idea of planning.
I consider myself a "middle of the road" kinda guy when it comes to planning. Sure, it's great to have some sort of agenda, structure, or plan when it comes to new things, but if they go out the window, whatever. If I'm equipped with just enough info to make new choices when this happens, then cool—as long as I'm with good company and and experiencing something new that's fun, then all is well.
I learned of this quote recently,
Planning is essential, but plans are useless.
I guess that was the theme of the trip. I planned and then it all went out of the window. Did that get in the way of us having a great time? Nope. Did we roll with things and make the best of it? Yep.
Zooming out, this got me thinking about my next chapter in my career—one I'm in the middle of drafting up.
I'm currently searching for my next career opportunity at the intersection of design and climate action.
Since DEC 2021, I've been planning what this might look like. I've reached out to my mentors and close colleagues, asking them for advice and suggestions. I jotted notes and ideas down and also created a Mural and Trello board to help me keep track of tasks.
In late April, I started to reach out to 50+ colleagues and friends, sharing with them that I am searching for my next thing.
In early June, I shared my search with the world.
Planning my next chapter has been incredibly helpful. I've gained an understanding of what I want and don't want, where I want to put my energy and where I don't, what areas I want to explore, and the types of people I want to collaborate with. Having that clear understanding, that clear vision, has guided me in a direction I feel confident in.
Planning has also allowed me to become aware of my needs, my strengths, my weaknesses. It's allowed me to explore potential opportunities and red flags.
As much as I’m planning out non-negotiables and ideal situations, I'm keeping an open mind when it comes to what actually presents itself. Sure, I would love to check off all the items on my non-negotiables list, but what happens if a plan that is presented in front of me is something I wasn’t prepared for?
If/when that happens, I’ll need to be open to this. What I initially hope to happen might just go out the window due to outside factors, or unforeseen circumstances. Shit, one conversation or random link I stumble upon could uproot things I’ve been planning for so long.
There’s something exciting about this flexible thinking—with one side being structured enough and the other side being open to allow something new, different, surprising into the mix. Keeping that balance opens up even more opportunities for certain plans to come into view.
I'm excited for what's to come. I'm eager to write the first page of this new chapter, one filled with hope and determination, fulfillment and energy.
Onward.
