Real-life: Unpredictable, unrepeatable and contrary to expectations

My recent trip to India was, quite frankly, more amazing and stimulating than I could have ever anticipated. The time I spent there was full of vivid sights, unexpected challenges and genuine connection. It has given me a potent takeaway that I believe is critical to how we all communicate and engage with the world, both personally and professionally.

The Illusion of Experience

We live in an age where information and images are instantly accessible. We can ‘see’ the Taj Mahal, ‘read’ about the vibrant chaos of Delhi and ‘watch’ a cooking class in Jaipur – all from our devices. As the writer Karl Ove Knausgaard eloquently suggests, our world has been transformed into images of the world, making everything available, yet ironically, thinning the world out. This virtual haze gives us the false sense that we are experiencing the world when, in truth, we are merely observers.

It’s easy to mistake knowledge of the world for experience of it, as Oliver Burkeman points out in his newsletter. But it’s the (eu)stress of not knowing quite how things are going to work out, of having expectations and prejudices that turn out to be totally off-target, that make the experience of travel so thrilling.

In my experience, a carefully planned itinerary informed by years of experience, got us to the Taj Mahal at 6am to beat the crowds. But the true, unforgettable moments – those that jolt you awake – are the unrepeatable and unpredictable ones. They are the 20-minute, hair-raising tuk-tuk ride to a local cooking class, the unexpected kindness of a local who paid for our tuk-tuk when we couldn’t exchange currency, or the simple sensory overload of a floor-to-ceiling textile show which included twenty different shades of blue. Amongst the hustle-and-bustle of sightseeing and travel, these were my unique moments, tied to a specific time and place that cannot be replicated or perfectly predicted.

The Power of the Unpredictable

In our communication work, we strive for clear strategy and reliable delivery. But trying a radical new campaign idea or simply having a face-to-face encounter with a client or customer that goes off-script – can generate rich, authentic, and unreplaceable insights.

My trip was so full – from the spectacular Amber Fort to the luxurious calm of the Taj Towers in Mumbai – that I barely had time to check my phone, let alone post on social media. I was fully present and reminded of the exhilaration that genuine depth and discovery can bring outside the virtual realm.

The experience has made me realise the value of seeking out direct, in-person engagement with people and allowing for moments of spontaneity and discovery in a strategy.

Real-world ventures can transform a good communications plan into an exceptional one. They add the aliveness that online connections sometimes lack.

I returned exhausted, invigorated and with a new perspective. To chat about making real connections, shifting perspectives, or more about my trip, I’d love to hear from you.