Circumstances: What's Stopping You?
[singlepic=201,300,,,right]If you’ve only thought about taking a career break or sabbatical – what has stopped you from actually doing it? No matter the excuses that you come up with (or believe in) the only thing that is truly stopping you is yourself.
I recently had the pleasure of hearing Seth Godin talk at the Small Business Summit in New York City. (Godin is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, agent of change and overall inspiring speaker.) And although he was addressing an audience of small business owners and entrepreneurs, the messages he imparted can most certainly apply to you as well.
Following are a few of his “sound bites” that made a great impression on me and led to a few observations of my own. (Please note that they are paraphrased from my fastidious notetaking.)
Become a Misfit
“The reason they want you to fit in is that once you do, they can ignore you.” - Seth Godin
Growing up it always seemed so important to “fit in”. And as a grown-up, we’ve been led to believe that we must do what is “expected” of us. If we follow this expected path of least resistance, we are promised a metaphorical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow – retirement. But the trick is on us once we get there to find out we won’t always have the health or wealth to enjoy it. In the meantime, we are serving other people’s goals and not our own.
Be an Artist of Your Own Life
“Art is about seeing the world as you want to see it. Artists work without a map.” - Seth Godin
In school we were always taught to stand in line, fill in the ovals with a #2 pencil, and raise your hand before you spoke. We were told how the world looks from text books and outdated film strips. Now that you are old enough, don’t be afraid to make choices for yourself. Color outside the lines – swing upside down from the jungle gym – and most importantly, don’t let other people’s views of the world make you question your own.
Ignore the “In-Crowd”
“We all have a lizard brain – that voice in the back of our head telling us to stop because we are worried about failing and people laughing at us. It forces us to act like sheep.” - Seth Godin
If you have ever expressed your dreams of travel to people before, most likely you have gotten strange looks and responses like “why would you want to do that?” or “why would you want to travel there?”. More often then not, these people are resentful that you want to break out of the mold and do something unique. Trust me, there is a network of other career breakers who will openly accept you into their clique.
Still need more motivation?
Top 10 Reasons to Take a Career Break and Travel
Why It’s Not Crazy for Working Professionals to Quit Their Jobs and Travel the World
Six Reasons Living on the Road is Good Option in a Down Economy
Round-the-World Trip Tips, Planning Resources, Inspiration and More
So....what's stopping you now?
6 Responses to “Circumstances: What's Stopping You?”
Other comments
9 Comments on "A Year in Paris"-
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂 -
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
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Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
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Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
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Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
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Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
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shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
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Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
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G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.
2010-03-29 10:44
These are definite words of wisdom for everyone to live by...not just those contemplating a career break! I may print out this list and post it on my refrigerator as a constant reminder of how to live an authentic life. Thanks!
2010-03-29 11:24
Staying in the lines is WAY overrated! Great inspiration Michaela!
2010-03-29 11:45
This is a little ironic- while I love the article being short, I'd have prefered more 'sound bites' from Seth Godin :-)
Thanks for sharing Michaela. And keep them coming :-)
2010-03-29 13:50
Thanks for sharing these nuggets from Seth. I've been meaning to read Linchpin.
2010-03-29 19:06
@Vietnam720 & @Keith - There were definitely some more great Seth sound bites but not all really fit in with the essence of the post. However, here they are just for you:
"Anxiety is experiencing failure in advance"
"The winner is the one who leans forward the most."
And one of my favorites: "Avoid any activity where the best you can do is a known. It leaves no room for art." With that one, he made the comparison to the fact you never hear of any "superstar" bowlers b/c in bowling the best you can do is 300.
@Amy - as an educator, you would definitely be inspired by his writing. He talks a lot about the formation of the public school system in conjunction with the Industrial Revolution. He made mention of a book about this: "Weapons of Mass Instruction".
@Sherry - You'll like what he said about creating a community. "Create a community you want to believe in" and "You don't have to invent a mindset - you just need a leader." That very much relates to what we are doing here at Briefcase to Backpack!
2010-03-30 09:27
Be your own artist. Love it! I think it sums up what you have to do when thinking of how you want to live your life.