Expedition Preparation
The overall principle of preparation is to avoid missing important parts of systems, and, in the event of considerable obstacles, correct/recover quickly and efficiently, ensuring continuity as opposed to collapse and compromising the adventure.
Control, optimize, and maximize the variables; time, health, money, gear, risk, paperwork/docs/access.
Here's a checklist of pre-expedition tasks/guidelines/principles:
FINANCIAL
DOCUMENTS, ACCESS
HEALTH
NAVIGATION/COMMUNICATION
GEAR
NOTIFICATIONS
"STUFF"
For SOLO OVERLAND
VARIOUS
Control, optimize, and maximize the variables; time, health, money, gear, risk, paperwork/docs/access.
Here's a checklist of pre-expedition tasks/guidelines/principles:
FINANCIAL
- consolidate and transfer any/all debt to interest-free account; pay off any debt/loans aggressively
- close any unused/redundant accounts
- ensure clear, secure, speedy online banking
- clarify access to funds when overseas (especially for car shipping, fees, health emergencies/evacuation)
DOCUMENTS, ACCESS
- clarify/update all: passport, car, life insurance, will, diplomas, certificates, etc. Make backups (hard copies, cloud, self-email).
- have copies of keys, lock codes, passwords
- update all electronics and computing needs. Cloud/HDD backups; backup chargers, protective cases, security (passwords, locks)
- personalized dog tags
HEALTH
- update and backup health information: insurance, any immunizations, prescriptions, medications, eyewear
- exercise (stretches, resistance, cardio). Consider swimming, yoga, Tai Chi
- no vices, detox nutrition
- get good quality sleep
NAVIGATION/COMMUNICATION
- get all necessary maps, atlas, apps, GPS. Test interoperability and redundancies. Test again
- plan/research route and waypoints
- decide top attractions in each country. Allow time for serendipity
GEAR
- pursue potential sponsors
- purchase, organize, and test everything on weekend "cold runs". Test all systems for flow, interoperability, redundancies, backup. Test again
- learn basics of photography, cinematography and video post-production. Study what others are doing
- create well-labeled items that family/friends can ship out in a n emergency
NOTIFICATIONS
- terminate apartment/condo lease
- notify all contacts
- stop mail, package delivery
- figure out residency, vehicle registration and insurance
"STUFF"
- experiences over possessions --what you own ends up owning you
- apparel, kitchen/bathroom, bike, furniture, lighting, wall art and decorations
- digitize and archive needed media (books, CDs, DVDs, etc.)
- simplify: sell/trade (CraigsList, eBay) give away, recycle, throw out
- organize/store remaining "stuff"
For SOLO OVERLAND
- keep site/blog/social media updated (connect, collaborate, get discovered). Become an influencer?
- upload media to site
- monetize Amazon Affiliate, YouTube
- keep researching (online, YouTube, blogs, podcasts)
VARIOUS
- unsubscribe from email newsletters, unneeded media accounts. Keep Apple Music
- detox phone/computer: contacts, schedule, apps, settings, media storage