The Power of Planning

How Readiness Creates Opportunity

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” — Seneca

In last week’s episode of the Relocurious podcast, we spoke with Vickie and Jim Berkley, who made a life-changing move from Denver, Colorado, to Porto, Portugal. Their journey wasn’t about impulsivity or blind luck — it was about being ready.

For years, Jim and Vickie imagined a future where they could immerse in a new culture and care for Vickie’s sister, Lynne, in a way that wasn’t possible in the U.S. They envisioned a home that offered affordability, security, and just a better life overall for the three of them. But more than just dreaming, they prepared. They researched, planned, and took deliberate steps — so that when the right opportunity emerged, they were able to act on it. And they did. Because they were ready, their move was not just possible, it went smoothly.

This is the real power of planning. It’s not about producing a rigid blueprint; it’s about truly immersing in thinking and reflecting. We may not be able to create the right conditions for a move, but we can prepare ourselves for action as soon as the right conditions present themselves.

Many of us have experienced this in some way in our own lives. Maybe you’ve searched for the perfect job, the right home, or a meaningful next step. While you are planning, circumstances change. Markets shift. What seemed ideal on paper turns out to be unworkable in reality. In these moments, it’s easy to feel frustrated, as if all the preparation was for nothing. But that’s where perspective matters. A specific plan might become obsolete, but the effort put into planning is never wasted — it’s what allows us to recognize, adjust, and embrace new opportunities when they arise.

Vickie and Jim could have fixated on one idea of what their relocation ‘should’ look like. But they remained open. They refined their vision as they learned more, making space for possibilities they hadn’t initially considered. Because of that, when the right situation presented itself, they weren’t just hopeful — they were ready.

“Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

Eisenhower’s words capture an essential truth: Clinging to a specific plan can limit us, but engaging in planning — staying thoughtful, flexible, and responsive — keeps us prepared for what’s next. Life won’t always unfold the way we wish or expect, yet when we stay tuned into both our desires and the opportunities that emerge, we increase the chances of creating a life that truly fits us.

How to Plan for Readiness:

• Consider your values and priorities. What really matters most to you — and is it abundant in your life? What are the non-negotiables in your vision for the future?

• Explore possibilities with curiosity. Gather information, talk to others who have taken similar steps, consider different scenarios. What’s the cost of not moving?

• Identify potential challenges. What could get in the way? How might you adjust if things don’t go as planned? Who is your support circle, wherever you are?

• Test small steps. Instead of waiting for the “perfect” moment, take small, deliberate actions to move forward, and refine your approach as you go.

• Stay flexible. Be open to unexpected opportunities and willing to adapt when new information arises.

• Reflect along the way. Revisit your goals and assumptions periodically. Are they still aligned with what you want?

And while you are getting ready, don’t miss opportunities as they unfold around you. The right moment may not come wrapped in a package, but if you’re paying attention, you’ll recognize when the timing is right. And when it happens, that’s your cue to switch from planning to action: Time to get packing!

Are you curious about what’s possible?

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This reflection was inspired by the following Relocurious podcast episode: