Let Go of Overplanning:
Lessons from a One-Way Ticket

it’s tempting to start planning everything meticulously: schedules, goals, weekends, projects—you name it. But let me tell you about one thing I learned this holiday season:
sometimes, the best plan is no plan at all.

For the last few months, I’ve been working relentlessly on Method in Madness. It’s been a whirlwind of workshops, games, speeches, and content creation. Somewhere along the way, I realized I was constantly planning. Every moment felt accounted for, every weekend mapped out. As productive as that sounds, it was also draining.

So, when it was time for a holiday, I decided to let go of my usual behavior of overplanning. I booked just one thing—a one-way ticket to Melbourne—and told myself I’d figure out the rest as I went.

And you know what? These past three and a half weeks have been nothing short of amazing.

• In Melbourne, I wandered through the city without an itinerary, met my old buddies and eventually finding myself at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

• From there, I flew to Cairns and experienced diving in the Great Barrier Reef—a spontaneous bucket-list moment.

• Sydney surprised me with its New Year’s Eve fireworks, something I hadn’t planned but ended up cherishing.

• Finally, I found myself in Singapore, soaking in the culture, food, and conversations without a rigid schedule.

These were some of the best days I’ve had in a long time. And the reason is simple: I didn’t let overplanning steal the joy of experiencing things as they came.

Here’s the thing about planning: as helpful as it is, it can also become a trap. It’s time-consuming, mentally exhausting, and often builds expectations that don’t match reality. Excessive planning robs you of the surprises and joys that come when you just go with the flow.

So, here’s my challenge for you this January: drop the need to plan everything. Whether it’s a weekend, a meeting, or even a holiday, try leaving space for spontaneity. You might be surprised by what you discover As I reflect on this trip, one of the best things I’ve learned is that you don’t have to control everything to have a meaningful experience. Sometimes, the unplanned paths lead to the best destinations.

What about you? Is there a behavior you want to let go of this year? Let’s make this a year of exploration, experimentation, and embracing the unexpected.

Wishing you all a wonderfully unplanned moment in January!

Until next time,

Saby

 

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