Months before moving to Buenos Aires, our fearless leader in research and pre-work (also known as Ania or Mom), began aggressively pursuing Argentinian moms groups, school lists, contacts who had spent time in Buenos Aires and anyone who had a connection to Argentina (this includes the unsuspecting 18 year-old Argentinian behind the lunch counter at any ski resort). As this became a major time commitment for Ania, we officially kicked off what we’ve come to know in the Smith family as “The Process”.

This term has become widely used, most notably with the rebuilding steps the Philadelphia 76ers have employed over recent years, and is often referenced when an organization or group is trying to achieve something where the outcome is uncertain and a long journey lies ahead.

“The Process” refers to the act of trusting and sticking to a long term plan in the face of obstacles, short term setbacks or overall uncertainty as to the final outcome.

The Process has been a regular occurrence in our family ahead of major life changes. When we moved to/from London, when we’ve moved jobs, or when we’ve chosen schools for the kids, The Process has been in full effect, evolving and maturing each time. And, to Ania’s credit, this has always led to our family being well set up during and after these major events.

As The Process was warming up ahead of our journey to BA, I saw it coming. While I worked on finishing my job, packing and actioning logistics, Ania was building a network in BA, researching schools, contacting friends and getting an insiders view of the city. Mentally the kids and I were focused on the here and now of getting out of our house, getting a final paycheck and overall making it to Argentina. Ania was full-on in Step One of The Process, the exploratory phase.

This was the critical first step in The Process, doing the early learning work when the benefits aren’t clear and the gains are long term.

When we arrived and were faced with the reality of finding schools, apartments and overall creating a life, that is when Step Two of The Process kicked in. With the foundation of Step One Ania was able to arrange dozens of apartment visits and multiple school interviews within the first two weeks leveraging her new network and accumulated knowledge. I attempted to pitch in through getting online to search, but quickly realized we were well beyond such paltry activities. So, I focused on execution of Step Two and keeping us motivated toward each appointment, taxi ride and schedule shift. It quickly felt like a never-ending stretch of meetings and our faith in The Process began to wane. “Did we really need to visit this apartment?”, “The pictures don’t look nice, let’s not go” were common refrains. We had to regularly remind ourselves that we were supposed to play our role, let The Process run and keep doing the work.

Even knowing the success of The Process, I still found myself questioning steps along the way, forgetting that I was being led to the promised land. 

After two weeks we were able to come to a clear view on which schools and which apartments we should consider. This is when Step Three occurred. We were able to make confident decisions from these choices given we were already informed from Step One and Two.

As you can tell from what I’ve written here, I’m a believer. In the beginning the work in front of you can be daunting, and implementing The Process makes it even more of a mountain to climb. But mapping out the steps, focusing on the end result and doing the work day in and day out lead you to the great outcomes you desire. And, you have to trust that the work you are doing will eventually lead to the outcomes you want.

To summarize, when you’re taking on something new, moving to a new place, finding a new job or rebuilding an NBA team, the steps are as follows:

Step 1: Contact everyone you know, read everything you can, make as many connections as possible, get over your insecurity, ask all the questions you can, build multiple viewpoints, exhaust every avenue, set up the steps and the plan. Finally, when it seems like a total waste of time, only then do you know you are on the right path.

Step 2: Create options, Create options, Create options. Follow the plan, meet with everyone, don’t be swayed by one opinion or answer. Don’t be shy, do the work and don’t lose faith. Don’t make any choices yet, don’t shut down any options, don’t close down any doors, expand what is possible.

Step 3: Make your decisions with full confidence and a full view on what is possible. Move forward and don’t look back. Achieve your dreams.

(Optional Step A, prior to Step 1: Marry someone who is really good at this and learn from them and follow their lead)