The Power of Pen and Paper: How Writing Down Travel Goals Unlocks Unexpected Opportunities

Hey fellow wanderers,

Have you ever felt that burning desire to explore a place, but life seems to throw roadblocks in your way? Do you have so many dream destinations that it is challenging to narrow down where you want to travel to first? I 100% get it. That’s why I want to share a personal story about the magic that happens when you jot down your travel dreams.

Before I graduated high school in 2006 I read a book called University of Success. There are many powerful lessons in that book, but one of which was to be clear and write down the goals that you have and for me that mean, more specifically, the places I wanted to travel to. I made a rather large list and one of my dream destinations was to visit India. I would review my goal list every few months and add to it or remove what I had accomplished. I had small goals all the way up to large life goals on that list.

My life became busy at Georgia Southern University. I was making new friends and figuring out who I was at this brand new location. However, in the back corners of my mind I still yearned to experience the vibrant tapestry of India. One day, after my German language class, I decided to take a detour to the bathroom. Little did I know that this seemingly routine task would open up an opportunity of a lifetime.

As I walked past the cluttered bulletin board packed to the brim with flyers and business card, a vibrant corner of a flyer caught my eye. There it was, in bold letters: INDIA. I stopped in my tracks and I lifted off the other pages blocking it. My heart raced as I read about a multi-week trek in the Himalayan mountains, offered by the GSU’s Geography program just a few months away. It felt like fate had intervened, and this opportunity aligned perfectly with my travel goals. This study abroad program would also give me enough credits to nearly complete a minor in Geography (I had not chosen a minor yet). I took the flyer off the board, tucked it in my pocket, and went to the information meeting the next day.

A few months later I would find myself in India, experiencing the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayan Mountains.

What made this possible? I firmly believe it was the act of writing down my desire to travel to India. I had crafted a travel goal list, and somehow, the universe responded. The simple act of putting pen to paper had set the stage for serendipity. Some call it manifestation and others say that when you physically write down a goal or a dream that your brain is more likely to pick up on those key phrases (such as the bold letters INDIA mentioned above). Regardless of the source, writing my goal down was key!

Here’s why writing down your travel goals matters:

1. Clarifies Your Desires: Putting your dreams on paper forces you to articulate exactly where you want to go, creating a clear roadmap for your aspirations.
2. Manifestation in Action: There’s something powerful about turning thoughts into written words. It’s like sending a message to the universe, and opportunities often arise when you least expect them.
3. Keeps You Accountable: A list of travel goals serves as a constant reminder of your aspirations. It keeps you accountable and motivated to actively seek out opportunities.

So, find a quiet place, pull out a piece or paper or a journal and take a moment to write down where you want to go. You might be surprised how the universe conspires to make your travel dreams a reality.

As for me, that spontaneous decision to detour past a bulletin board led to an unforgettable adventure in the Himalayas. The power of putting pen to paper is real, my friends.

Happy travels,
Jessica Draper

A Redhead Abroad