My Dumb Mistake that cost me €100 and 3 hours

It’s Wednesday, June 10, 2026. We’ve all been there: you look at the clock, convince yourself you have "plenty of time" for one last thing, and end up sprinting frantically through a crowded terminal. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on a painful, frustrating, and incredibly embarrassing mistake I made on our recent weekend trip to Madrid. It cost me $120, three hours of precious time, and a heavy dose of parental pride. We're diving into the psychological trap of "Time Optimism," the hidden anxiety of arriving early, and the strict reality of European train travel.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.