It’s been a week for the unexpected, especially if you have travel plans.
The announcement of another train strike over a Bank Holiday weekend. Then technical issues with the air traffic control system resulting in unexpected disruptions to many people's holiday plans.
I happen to be travelling up to Scotland for my fundraising Canoe Challenge on the day of a train strike, so I’ve had to change plans too,
although with a little more notice than those arriving at the airport expecting to catch a flight out or back from holiday.
As you might imagine, I like to plan ahead … (most of the time), especially for something like this. I was also aware when I booked there might be another train strike but there was no guarantee what day it would be, if at all, so I went ahead and booked
my tickets.
Enter Plan B.
As the saying goes, “Best laid plans …"
Frustration and anxiety might be your natural reaction
but there’s a valuable lesson on the importance of building in a buffer and planning ahead, complete with a Plan B.
Control the controllable
Firstly, don’t waste your time and energy worrying about things you have no control over. Instead, focus on what you can
do.
The can control your thoughts, your effort and attitude and the actions you can take that are not affected or influenced by anyone or anything else.
You can’t change the impact of a train strike or a technical issue affecting flights but you can
make alternate plans.
This might mean working from home for the day or cancelling plans altogether. Not an option for me … at least not yet. I’ve still got a Plan C and possibly Plan D options.
Build in a
Buffer
In a world that values precision and efficiency, building in a buffer might seem an indulgence you don’t have time for. However, it's a practice that can make the difference between a stress-free journey and a chaotic scramble.
As I’ve written many times before, when
travelling, aim to arrive early and allocate extra time between connecting flights, train journeys, or any crucial appointments.
This "buffer time" acts as a safety net, so you can absorb minor delays without throwing your entire schedule off balance and creating unnecessary stress.
I knew I had at least 24 hours as a buffer and I still have the flexibility to change things.
This applies at work too. Rather than leaving things ‘until later’ or planning too close to a deadline, plan to complete work ahead of time or at least a day or two early.
Inevitably when you put something off until later, there will be something else that comes up that you have to deal with, so now you have two things to deal with.
Or, as often happens, it takes longer than you think, so you’re creating unnecessary stress and possibly working late to get it finished on
time. Or you’re late, again.
Plan Ahead for Flexibility
Flexibility is key to a successful journey, especially in a world where unforeseen events can turn your schedule into a jigsaw puzzle.
Planning ahead doesn't mean adhering rigidly to your original schedule; it means considering various options and adapting when needed. Particularly if you’ve thought those options through ahead of time rather than in the moment.
Knowing there was the possibility of a
train strike my Plan B, having confirmed which trains were affected, was to switch to a coach for the part of the journey.
I’ve created even more of a buffer and also have an option for Plan C.
Plan B - Expect
the Unexpected
Having a thought-out Plan B can be a game-changer. The key is not just to have a backup plan, but to ensure it’s thought through before you need it.
This might mean reservations that offer flexible check-in times, last minute changes or cancellations or refundable
bookings, ensuring your trip can smoothly transition to Plan B without a hitch.
This makes a real difference when you’re unsure about dates and times or numbers of attendees involved, if you’re able to cancel or change plans at relatively short notice. For instance when trying to organise a work or social event well in advance without knowing who’s likely to
attend.
At work - what’s your backup if your IT goes out. Broadband, mobile, computer? Having experienced this before, I now have a Chromebook I can use as a back, a mobile hotspot device and cloud-based apps I can use on my smartphone if needed.
With a
Plan B in mind, these changes can be manageable rather than overwhelming.
What’s the worst that can happen?
Instead of focusing on the worst case, ‘what if’ scenario, focus on the reality or the
positive. In the moment your initial reaction might be frustration, anger, fear but after that think about:
- What’s the best that can happen?
- What can I learn from this situation?
You’re delayed getting to/from your destination - if you’re
on holiday, great you get to spend an extra few days away.
Can you cancel or rearrange? Yes, you might miss out but what’s the best option.
Will your insurance cover extra costs or loss of earnings. Something to think about when you’re making plans.
Hopefully you won’t need it but if you do, it’s one less thing to worry about.
There's another saying ... "every cloud has a silver lining".
What opportunities will arise that you might have missed or not had if things had been
different?
And if my Plan B doesn’t work out I still have Plan C, Plan D and possibly an ‘if all else fails’ Plan E.
Things happen, often when we least expect them and sometimes for a reason. Building in a buffer,
planning for flexibility, and having a Plan B can turn the unexpected into an inconvenience.
The ability to adapt and stay composed in the face of change is an valuable skill.
So, next time you embark on a journey, remember that while you can't
control external events, you can control your preparedness. And that, can make the difference between a chaotic, stressful journey and a relaxed, successful one.
