No, It Won’t Just Come to You

Frank the Financially Savvy Athiest commented on the Jesus Camp documentary, which we recently saw as well from our Netflix queue.

I saw the movie Jesus Camp this past weekend. Initial thoughts, Jesus God-Damn tap dancing Christ, that was the most disturbing movie I have ever seen. The children, won’t someone think of the children. More rants and ravings to come on that topic.

During the movie, I really wanted to tell the little girl that she better learn how to bowl a bowling ball if she wants to take pins down, and not just ask something in the air to roll a strike for her. Whatever that something might have been, apparently didn’t.

This is also the key to financing and beginning your adventure. It won’t happen if you sit back and hope your goal just comes to you. Take the first step. Set the date and tell people. What steps do you need to take to knock all of your pins down?

Telling Our Friends “We’re Heading Out!”

In January 2006, fresh off New Years celebrations, co-workers, friends, magazines and TV were, as usual, discussing the merits and trials of New Years resolutions. The air in conversation was full of doubt that anyone would accomplish all of their stated goals for the year. We decided it was time to tell some of our friends our goal – that we were leaving Seattle in December for a year-long trip around the world. Yes, it was almost a year away, but we wanted to share our excitement! Here’s what we heard:

“What? Wow! I hate that you’re going to be away for that long, but that’s really cool!”

“Seriously? Are you quitting your jobs? How is that going to work?”

“Why? Where are you going? To safe countries?”

“That’s awesome! You know, I know a few people you should talk to who have done something like that.”

“Nice – but what about Amos?”

We received so many different responses that I was sure a good portion doubted we would actually leave, or be away for that long. I think most of those folks thought we had too much going on in Seattle to just drop it all and leave.
This was all great input for us. Those that only had questions for us about what we would do with our lives in Seattle helped us make sure we had every house/car/dog question covered before we left. Those who thought it wasn’t safe, helped us keep in mind the best things/ways to keep safe. Those who doubted us only helped us keep our departure date firm.
But mostly, friends just wanted to help! Over the next 11 months we would hear innumerable suggestions of beaches to visit, things on sticks to eat, bungalows to rent and other travelers we should meet before we left like Matt and Rebecca who had done a nine month trip like this a few years earlier. What a resource!
Telling our friends was the biggest external motivator because we had self-imposed peer pressure to do everything we could to make it happen. We set the date, we told our friends, and then we began detailed plans and preparation, which meant – the Monetorium.

What’s Your Next Big Adventure?

What are your plans? 6 months of travel? Purchasing a house? Starting a business? Living in Finland for a year? Whatever it may be, here are a few things to do to ensure it really happens.
Set the Date: When you’re ready to commit, commit to a specific reasonable date for your adventure, even if it’s 3 years from now. Give yourself enough time to make the finances and preparation work.

Tell People: Tell your friends and family your plans and the start date. They will give you encouragement and support to help you stick to your commitment. Social pressure is surprisingly effective! You may even find them offering ideas to save money for it.

Live the Monetorium: Start today, and save money for your adventure. This is not saving for retirement or for a rainy day. This is a temporary short term goal; something to really get excited about – so take your saving an extra step. How can you change your lifestyle to save for that adventure? Living the Monetorium means finding ways, big and small, to play the savings game, challenge yourself and build your stash.