For Example: Imagine This,

We are a family of four, working 9 - 5 and our children are pre-school.

We are going to visit a family on the next long week-end. We both work until late Friday afternoon. The most efficient means of travel is to take the family car.

Our plan should include:

• When to leave?
• What time would we like to arrive?
• Whether to pack a lunch or stop to eat?
• Are there any weather considerations?

Some more very important considerations:

• How long will we be on the road?
• Will we need to stop en route?
• Is the car fit and safe for the trip?
• Is the car big enough to take everything we will need?
• Do we have all we need to live away from home for three days?

You may be able to think of a few others which pertain to you specifically. Do that now, and list three or more that would be important to you.

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2.  
3.  

Now, review your list. You have in effect created a plan. In the past you may not have written it down. You may have done it many times before, but the main consideration here is that you identified a goal and determined what was needed to get there.

Was there anything you forgot? How about,

Are we expected by the family, or are they going to be away, or working that week-end.

This you would say is already known or understood, or you wouldn't be doing the rest.

But wait, how many times have we done things, planned things, or traveled somewhere, and what we saw when we arrived was totally different than our plans had allowed for.
These difficulties can often be avoided or diminished by making sure that you have met with, and discussed your plans with all those who will become involved or may be key to the success of your plan.

For Example;

Did you allow time for your mechanic to install those new front tires by booking a visit to his garage well ahead of your departure date?

If not, you will either become rushed or stressed as the day to leave approaches, or you may be unable to have the work done because of his customer Commitments and you will have to go with old worn tires which should have been replaced months ago.

Will you enjoy your trip? Probably not. The tires being worn means slower speeds, longer time on the road, worry if they are adequate for traction and safety and a nagging realization that if something happens, your tires and their condition could mean the difference between a successful insurance claim or an expensive lawsuit.

It is always better to understand why to include relatively small and seemingly insignificant details into your plan if it is to go smoothly and if we wish to enjoy the journey. We want the experience to be remembered as fun and enjoyable and we want to arrive home knowing that we were successful in our assignment of the needs and requirements of everyone involved in order to meet our goal. We want the satisfaction of knowing that we did it right. After all, it is often the journey that provides the greatest feeling of accomplishment and not the destination at all.

It has been said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. That single or first step should always be pointed in the right direction to ensure the journey remains one thousand miles and doesn't become more like two thousand.