I have been to Tokyo many times, but this is the first time I’m exploring this megacity with my son. I’d like to give myself a pat on the shoulder because in spite of my hectic schedule, I remembered to pack a map of Tokyo’s labyrinth-like subway map in my luggage.

I think poring over the map while travelling has helped elevate the memorable aspect of his trip. After all, he knows the destination, as well as the number of stops he has to endure before he arrives at his desired location. In the process of doing so, he forms a vivid 3D mental representation in which different places sink roots into his consciousness.

I guess travelling is a microcosm of everyday living, especially when we approach it from a low time preference perspective. We must set our goal and divide it into various subgoals and carry out milestone checks to ensure that we are heading in the right direction. We must understand that the process of reaching there is just as important as having achieved our goal.

I could have been like that too. I exhibited traits of being a systematic planner. So, my life plan was to teach English as a foreign language in Japan and use that as a springboard to be an EFL in another country. I even harboured dreams of making it to Spain, which is the other side of the world to me.

For better or for worse, I met my then-wife at a mutual friend’s wedding in Japan. I liked her. In fact, I liked her enough to give up my plan and settle for a decidedly typical existence of battling the fiat mines in Singapore to see my children through school. It makes me wonder - are you a fan of planning your life? If so, to what extent will you follow your plan when unexpected opportunities and crises arise? Have you ever pivoted your direction entirely?