Plan, share, review. Repeat. Planning means less praying

Two years to develop and implement a plan is a long time. Or is it? It really depends on the size of the project. And how detailed does the plan need to be?

When I made the decision to move to Portugal, I gave myself two years to plan and make the move.  It definitely wasn’t going to be before July 2022, but it could be later.

Moving to a house in the next town or county is challenging, but I’ve trodden that path many times before.  Relocating to a new country though is going to be incredibly complex.  And I’m not underestimating the challenge ahead. 

Three simple words, move to Portugal.  Really easy to say.  Chatting with people about my new adventure gets a variety of responses.  Once people have picked their jaw up, a rendition of ‘wow, that’s amazing’ or ‘good for you’ follow. 

Usually, a string of questions follow.  Most are inquisitive and want to share my excitement.  The conversations tend to follow a similar pattern.  Why?  Where?  What?  When?  Questions followed by answers.  More questions.

Are you crazy?

I believe most people are honest when they express their support and good wishes.  Authentic offerings of support.  Tinges of jealousy.  Sympathy of my madness.  The occasional comment of “A Place In The Sun”.

As conversations develop, and I point out that I’m not heading to the Algarve and becoming a beach bum.  Some people are surprised when I share with them there is an awful lot more to Portugal than the Algarve. 

With my energy, enthusiasm and excitement, I make it all sound so easy to move to Portugal.  As easy as tying my shoelaces.  Ok, maybe a little more difficult.  But the positive approach brings confidence.

Over the last fortnight (yes, I know another blog missed last week) I’ve taken a little time to revisit my to-do lists.  I’m becoming more knowledgeable as to actions and their timelines, and also some of the pitfalls to avoid.  So revisiting my long list has been helpful.

Sharing my adventure and planning is equally helpful as it is exciting.  It reinforces the progress I am making and the due diligence (I love that phrase) I am undertaking.  I definitely don’t have all the answers.  Nor do I have everything on my list.  But I’m comfortable and confident in the progress I’m making.

Despite being pedantic (some would say anal) in my planning, which I believe is giving me lots of confidence, there will continue to be lots of things that I simply can’t plan for.  There are also the things that ‘nobody tells you.

A recent example is the challenge people are having changing their driving licence from the UK (albeit European) licence to a Portuguese licence.  There is a defined timeline of 90 days from when you arrive in Portugal to change your licence.  Not meeting the deadline will mean not being able to drive in Portugal.  There are also delays at the IMT, the DVLA equivalent. 

Hopefully, my planning, and learning of the challenges of others, will put me in good stead.  Some things are much more simple, like remembering to get in the non-EU queue at the airport. 

Doom and gloom

I’m going to admit, it was much easier pre-Brexit.

While there are many supporters, there are a few adversaries.  The “why in the hell would you want to do that?” brigade.  A barrage of negativity and pointing out all of the problems and issues.  Doh, as if I haven’t thought this through…..

My message to them.  Get a life.  You’ve got a real problem. 

If they were genuinely watching out for me, I’d appreciate it.  But they’re not.  They’re just damn jealous. 

Back to my list of things to do.  Or at least continue reviewing it and adding things to it.

Obrigado por ler.

Felicidades.

Marc

Featured image by kind permission of Rafael Morais

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Thank you, Marc