When people think about vacations, they usually focus on the trip itself. They imagine relaxing on the beach, exploring a new city, hiking a mountain trail, or sitting around a campfire with friends and family.

I enjoy those parts too. But I have a confession to make. I enjoy planning the vacation almost as much as taking it.

In my family and among my friends, I have developed a reputation. Whenever we travel somewhere new, I become the unofficial expedition leader. While everyone else is going about their daily lives, I am researching restaurants, studying maps, reviewing fishing reports, reading reviews, watching videos, and building detailed plans.

Years ago, when my family started vacationing in the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas, I knew almost nothing about the area. That quickly changed. I researched boat rental companies, beaches, snorkeling locations, fishing spots, restaurants, and places to explore. I printed satellite maps of the islands and laminated them so we could take them on our island-hopping adventures. I created packing lists and contingency plans. By the time we arrived, I felt like I already knew the place.

I have done the same thing with camping and fishing trips to the Everglades with my best friend. Before each trip, I study satellite imagery, review fishing reports, research tides and weather patterns, and map out routes through the islands and channels. I make arrangements for transportation, organize gear, and create detailed packing lists. I bring everything we need, and my friend shows up with a duffle bag of clothes knowing that I have taken care of all the details.

My traveling companions love it because all they have to do is show up. Everything else has already been figured out. It’s a win-win for me and my travel mates.

Lawyers who read this might not find this surprising at all. Much of what we do professionally involves planning. We identify risks, anticipate obstacles, think through contingencies, and prepare for different outcomes. Those habits do not disappear when we leave the office. For some of us, they simply get redirected toward more enjoyable pursuits.

The planning itself becomes part of the adventure. Long before the trip begins, we are already imagining what it will be like. We are studying maps, looking at photographs, reading about places we have never visited, and thinking about experiences we hope to have. In many ways, the vacation starts weeks or even months before we leave home.

Research suggests that anticipation is often a significant source of happiness. In other words, the joy is not limited to the destination. Part of the joy comes from looking forward to the destination. Looking forward to something enjoyable can boost our mood and give us something positive to focus on during the demands of everyday life. The trip becomes a future reward waiting on the horizon.

Practicing law can sometimes feel overwhelming. We need a release. Planning a fun trip shifts our attention toward possibilities instead of work. It gives us something exciting to think about that has nothing to do with a client matter, court deadline, or email inbox.

Of course, not everyone enjoys vacation planning. Some people would rather book a flight, pack a suitcase, and figure everything else out when they arrive. There is nothing wrong with that approach. But for those of us who enjoy the planning process, it can be a form of recreation all by itself.

So, if you are looking for ways to recharge this summer, do not overlook the possibility that the vacation may begin long before you ever leave home. Research a destination. Start imagining an adventure. And by all means, create laminated maps of your destination.

You might discover that one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip is planning it.