Photo: Expedition Bhutan
This post was written by Tony Lillios, a member of Expedition Bhutan. It is the first in a series of articles from a six-week adventure and cultural journey through Bhutan, which is reputed to be the happiest country on Earth.
When the accomplished endurance athlete and my long time friend, Terri Schneider asked me a year ago to be part of the four-member Expedition Bhutan team, I knew to ask no questions and answer confidently, “Yes!” As a land that rules by Gross National Happiness and is home to the world’s highest unclimbed peak and the mythic Abominable Snowman, Bhutan is an enigmatic, inaccessible Himalayan kingdom that has captured my curiosity for two decades.
READ MORE: Trekking the Rocky Road of Happiness in Bhutan
What started as a phone call has turned into an unprecedented 42-day trekking and mountain-bike adventure – supported by the Bhutan Olympic Committee –to cross the country. A five-person film team will capture our deep dive into the culture and countryside for a documentary film, and nine trekkers who are supporting the film will be joining us for the first 12 days – including Grammy-winning artist Imogen Heap, who will be scoring music for the film.
Turning a Wild Idea into the Trip of a Lifetime
As we prepare to drop into Bhutan in less than 24 hours, I thought it would be valuable to share some of the ways we grew this glimmer of a dream into a grand-scale adventure during the past year. I often have heard people talk about their unfulfilled adventure plans sitting on “Someday Isle;” but without taking steps toward turning these ideas into the experiences of a lifetime, they’ll languish there forever.
My goal here is to share what worked for us in turning our dream into a reality, and to inspire you to fan your own sparks of imagination into raging bonfires of adventure.
The team. Photo: Expedition Bhutan
7 Ways to Keep Your Adventure Planning on Track
1. Dream Big
Be bold now! Connect the adventure with your underlying passions. Acknowledge your feelings of insecurity and the monumental logistics involved, while not letting them stand in your way.
2. Speak Up, and Listen
Talk about your dream. Learn from the experiences of those around you. Inspiration will come from unexpected places.
3. Gather Support
Surround yourself with people who feed your dreams. Some may be great sounding boards. Some may be the links you need in securing a particular permit. Some may turn out to be your steadfast cheerleaders throughout the journey and may carry you through moments of despair.
Photo: Expedition Bhutan
4. Build a Team
If you want a band of cannibals, first you must find cannibals. Most adventures benefit from having a team working toward the collective goal. Find committed, like-minded people in your circles who can build on the ideas, offer positive strengths to the team, and work well together.
5. Pick a Date
Be specific with your dream about when and where it will happen. Make it real to yourself and to those around you. Keep yourself immersed in your commitment daily.
6. Make Consistent Progress
Work toward the goal in a consistent and organized manner. Logistics, training, finances, and timing all feel monumental in the beginning, but chipping them away on a regular basis moves you closer toward your dream.
7. Keep an Open Mind
The original vision may morph as the journey unfolds. Allow that to happen, while staying connected to the passion that inspired the adventure.
In the end, what matters is not only the result of living your dream, but the value gained from the experience leading up to it. Stumble forward. Take the first steps toward your own dreams. The journey of getting to the starting line can be as enriching as the adventure itself.
Today we will fly from Kathmandu to Bhutan, taking in the huge views of the Himalaya region and its 8,000-meter peaks before we drop into Bhutan for the first time. Check this space for stories from our Bhutan adventure; we’ll be posting updates from the field during the next six weeks.
Read Part II: Expedition Bhutan: The Adventure Begins on the World’s Scariest Tarmac
Photo: Expedition Bhutan
Tony Lillios has founded 5 companies and is a founding member of the business leader group, Gathering of Titans. He has been a triathlete for over 15 years and races three full Ironmans a year. He enjoys competing in local ultrarunning events and is an experienced open water swimmer. Tony has spent much of his life exploring the cultures and landscapes of more than 30 nations to date.
Tags: Adventure, Adventure Travel, Mountains, Travel
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