You’ve spent months dreaming of this trip and now it’s here. When you finally arrive its easy to feel excited and overwhelmed at the same time. For most of us getting away for a weekend or a week isn’t an everyday occurrence and it’s hard to shake the idea that only perfection will suffice. Trust me, been there, done that and bought the t shirt.
If you read my post about the types of personalities on a trip That Guy post the idea of the Nervous Nellie will ring the bell. Being honest I am maybe (definitely) the Nervous Nellie for our group. As the chief planner and researcher, I feel a lot of pressure for these things to go well. It’s self generated, I don’t think my group(s) see me as responsible. I want everyone to have a great time and to some degree, I want everyone to think I am the greatest trip organizer ever. Over the years I have gotten better at managing this and thought I would share.
1) Enjoy the moment. Prior to heading out on our first fly in a wise man popped into a thread I had started about our trip. He suggested that when we found ourselves alone at our “rent a lake” for the week to avoid rushing to put away food, string up our rods. Instead we should just grab a seat, crack a cold one and toast the week to come. Great advice and something we do on every trip now (even camping w the family, beers are adults only)
2) Its more than fishing, hiking, getting great photos etc. It’s easy to tie the success of your trip with succeeding at your passion of choice. I find it helpful to remind myself how lucky I am to be where I am and to be grateful for the experience. On our 2nd fly in trip Shekak Fly In the fishing was tough for us. Compared to our first trip we didn’t feel successful and it impacted the fun we had on our trip. Instead of realizing how lucky we were to “own” this lake for a week we were worrying about fish totals. To try to offset this I now try to focus on the positives of each experience. Great meals, interesting wildlife, campfire conversations and unbelievable scenery are all as much of the trip as the fishing, well that may be a lie, but I try to keep it balanced man!
3) Own your sh#% Part of being successful is in the planning and preparation for me. I believe that if I put in the effort, success will happen. This can mean so many things. Did I do some reading and map study to increase the odds of catching fish? Am I being reasonable with my expectations? Did I pack the tools to help me maximize my enjoyment (Never underestimate the value of a good wool toque when the front rolls through)? If I can’t answer yes to these questions, then $%& me I deserve what I get.
4) Do you, and only you. I tend to worry about everyone else’s enjoyment. Oh, Dave was quiet at lunch today, did he not like the meal, is he not having fun? My analytical brain can really spin into Gravitron mode (google it) if I play this game. Over the last few years I have tried to remind myself that I am not a mind reader nor I am in control of anyone else. Maybe Dave just has a bit of heartburn from beers and jerky at the fire last night! This doesn’t mean I need to be selfish and ignore what everyone else is doing. It just means focus on the things you can control and that’s it.
So that’s my personal plan. Maybe it helps you or maybe I have just reaffirmed your belief that I am a crazy weirdo. Not my issue, I can’t control that (see what I did there Padawan). When you finally get to your destination, maximize it!