Consume - Connect - Contribute

I was recently attending a technology meetup in Sydney and one of the keynote speakers mentioned the steps to becoming involved in a local meetup:  Consume, Connect and Contribute.

It struck me that this happens in the overland travel world - and its all about the passion for trans-continental travel.

Here are my thoughts...

Consume:

Forums, Blogs, Twitter, Facebook and good old travel books!  There is more information available online today than anything published prior to 2010!   Read and digest the information!
The key item about consuming all the information is to make notes - jot down interesting forum comments, blog post snippets and anything relevant.  Keep a record either online or in a simple notebook.  This information comes in use as your knowledge builds up and the excitement for your pending trip looms.  It becomes a foundation for future contributions!

Connect:

Nothing builds excitement for a trip like meeting like-minded people.  Overlanders love sharing stories - mainly because our co-workers care little for our after-hours day dreams and year-long adventures.
Reach out online, make new friends and connect to others.
There are plenty of group events held annually which bring people together - slightly tougher being bold enough to introduce yourself so ping introductory emails prior to the event.

We managed to get Gareth & Kirsty from Aussie Overlanders to present at the local Sydney Overland Meetup:

"You Create Your World" - Gareth & Kirsty

Contribute:

Now its your turn.  Regurgitate all the info and start sharing.  Write a blog, post to social media.  Share and contribute your experience.  Not only is it very relevant today but it creates an overland history. In decades to come, the next generation will have information to read and ponder on.

#traveltuesday Breakfast with a view on the coastline of South Australia. #landrover #defender #camping #breakfast #coast #southaustralia #australia #travel #exploreby4x4 #homeiswhereyouparkit #adventuremobile #onelife #overland #overlandlife #overlanding #exploremore

A post shared by David Priddis (@davidpriddis) on Mar 21, 2017 at 12:18am PDT

That's it - Consume, Connect and Contribute.