My Motivation
When I first started thinking about taking a few months off work to travel, I wondered if it was even possible. You don’t hear about many people doing this in the U.S., especially not people in the middle of their career with small kids and bills to pay. I was afraid.
The following thoughts motivated me to take time off to travel and follow my dreams. Most are themes/quotes from these books:
What is the pot of gold that justifies spending the best years of your life hoping for happiness in the last?
I’m young. I’m healthy. I’m hungry for adventure. I have two little boys who want to play with me and a husband who wants to hang out. Why wouldn’t we take time now to create some amazing memories together as a family? I am NEVER going to be old and look back and wish I spent one more summer at work – and I like my job.
How do your decisions change is retirement isn’t an option?
This is a big one for me. I often hear that my generation expects instant gratification and doesn’t want to wait for anything. But how do you know your retirement will be like the rosy image in your head? I don’t think my Dad pictured spending his retirement in a wheelchair. Think of all the people you know over age 65. How many have no health problems? How many have a partner with no health problems? If dreaming about the golden years is what helps you get through the days at your 9-5 job, that’s fine. But don’t assume that all of your dreams will magically start coming true someday when you’re 65+. Start making them happen now.
Define your nightmare: What is the absolute worst that could happen if you did what you want to do? Are these things really that bad? Are they likely? How could you repair the damage?
My nightmares:
- One of us gets very sick/injured while traveling.
- We bought travel insurance. It’s cheap. If you can afford to travel, you can afford travel insurance. And medical care in Europe is generally cheaper than that in the U.S.
- My company realizes they don’t need me and I lose my job.
- I’ve already taken maternity leave twice. I’m trying to hire an experienced person for my team – no one qualified is applying. The unemployment rate is at/near record lows. If I lose my job, I’ll find a new one. Or I’ll reinvent my career and do something else. I will not let fear keep me from pursuing my dreams.
- We spend way more money than we budgeted.
- This is probably going to happen. But I’ve never regretted a penny I’ve spent on traveling. I don’t care about physical stuff. Experiences are priceless.
Never work in fear.
Fear is what keeps most people at their jobs.
Most of us are afraid to ask for what we really need to be happy, productive employees. As a manager, I would love it if my team would come to me with a list of what they need to be happy. A long vacation would make you happy and motivated? Go for it. The fact that my company is supporting my request off makes me feel even more committed.
When you stop working in fear you are happier. You take chances. You are innovative. You are not afraid to fail and therefore you succeed.
Don’t underestimate how much your company needs you.
The unemployment rate in the U.S. hit 3.8% in May 2018 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). This is the lowest rate in 10+ years. In Wisconsin, the unemployment rate is even lower at 2.9%. Companies can’t find enough workers.
If your company is faced with the choice of allowing you to take a few months off work or finding a new person to fill your spot, they will allow you to take a few months off. Women do it all the time for maternity leave. Life goes on. If you are met with a ton of resistance or zero support, then you should start looking for a new job because you want to work somewhere you are valued.
I’ve been in charge of hiring people for the past six years. The vast majority of the time we open a position for a candidate with more than 5 years of experience, no one qualified applies.
I wrote these principles down on a piece of paper and stared at them for a long time. I used them to convince Brian that this trip was worth taking. Even if you don’t make the decision to travel this week, this month or even this year, start by taking baby steps toward your goal. Plan a weekend getaway. Make a list of destinations you want to visit. Talk to your partner/friend/kids and get them excited as well.
A few months ago I stumbled upon an article that noted “The Top 10 Regrets in Life by Those About to Die” (The Daily Positive). Yeah, not a very positive sounding title and I have no idea of the validity of this website or their list, but it resonated with me because the top two regrets on the list were:
- I never pursued my dreams and aspirations
- I worked too much and never made time for my family
So when I’m debating about whether or not I should take a chance and do something different, I often think about this quote by Mark Twain:
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
