One of the most over-looked and under-appreciated arts around is that of travel.
Every year 1.5 billion fly somewhere. Some people do it well. Others completely freak out.
The interesting thing about when you travel alone is that it really gives you the opportunity for learning about yourself and what you’re really made of. You’ll find out just how brave or scared you are to try new things. You’ll also find out how resourceful you are when it comes to un-foreseen challenges and bumps in the road.
How Traveling Leads to Learning About Yourself:
I’m reflecting on this subject after having recently had the privilege of traveling overseas to the UK for a business trip. This was actually my third time traveling to England and it hopefully won’t be my last. (Yes, the photos are from that trip).
The first time I went there it was really nothing more than a day and a half stay. I took a cab straight from the airport to the hotel, went to visit my client, and then was gone not too long afterwards. I really didn’t get out and do too much beyond my hotel room – Kind of a waste of an opportunity in retrospect.
The second time I traveled with a colleague. The two of us were a little more adventurous about getting out on the town and seeing what was around us. We rented a car (yup – the kind with the steering wheel on the opposite side), ventured out to a few pubs after work, and took in quite a few amazing tourist sites. It was a lot more fun, and I quickly regretted being so reserved during my first stay.
This most recent and third time around I was again all alone. But this time things were different. My confidence was much, much stronger than it had been during my first two visits.
I rented my own “backwards” car, drove myself all over the place, ventured out to nearby cities after work, and even took a train all the way to London for a day when the opportunity presented itself. I hardly spent any time in the hotel at all and really tried to take in as much as I could.
Honestly it was one of the best “business” trips I have ever taken.
Two Big Lessons About Travel:
When we’re given these kinds of opportunities in life, I don’t know if most people ever fully realize what they could be passing up and learning about themselves if they don’t follow through. I don’t know if I did on my first trip. But I see it now.
With that in mind, I think there are a few guidelines we can set for ourselves to help make sure we get what we should out of what life throws at us:
1) The price of opportunity is worth the cost.
I mean this statement both in the literal and figurative sense.
That day trip to London cost me a train ticket of almost $85 USD. While some people would think that is too high of a price to pay for a one day trip, I saw it as a completely bargain value for the experience I was about to have.
I was already in the UK – why not go and see one of the biggest, most renowned cities they have to offer? Wouldn’t the memories and stories I tell from that day forward be 100% worth every penny of that $85?
Sometimes in our quests to be frugal and thoughtful with money, I think we can tend to be too critical about what the intangibles will be. Look past the price tag and ask yourself: What will the adventure be worth?
I’ll easily spend $3,000 or more per year to take my family on a tropical vacation because I know they will get more enjoyment and excitement out of it than any other vacation we might otherwise do.
Then there’s also the figurative sense as well. To go on this business trip I had to be gone for a week from my family and complete the project it was meant to serve. That meant a lot of preparation, training, and getting myself to the point where I could handle the assignment once I got there.
Though I hate to leave my family for any amount of time, I do believe these kinds of all expense paid business opportunities only come up once in a great while. And when they do, you have to be ready to jump on them. Otherwise they may not ever be back around ever again.
If you value time as much as you value money, then you’ll see how one affects the other.
2) Don’t regret what you can experience now.
If I hadn’t forced myself out the door and on the road to the nearby towns and sites, I would have spent the plane ride home (and probably the rest of my life) wondering why I didn’t get out and do anything!
Now was my chance. Now was my opportunity to actually do something about it and make those memories happen then.
There are very few times I can recall where I said “now is my chance”, I went for it, and I regretted it later. Though in some situations it may not have quite turned out like I imagined it would, I feel like the overwhelming weight of regret would have totally outweigh any failure or bad experience I may have had. Don’t regret not taking on enough risk. Don’t wonder if you should have …
Find out now (while you can).
I guess that’s what life is all about. Good and bad things will happen to you all the time. People will tell you you’re great and then also tell you that you suck. But how often do you use these things as a tool for learning about yourself? How often do you test yourself to see what you’re really capable of?
It’s not what we do in our lives but what we make out of the sustenance we are given.
What have you made recently?
Related Posts:
1) How Being Successful Might Include Leaning Out From Work
2) Overcoming Envy – Why Do We Hate Other People’s Success?
Images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Dee @ Color Me Frugal says
I could not agree more! We firmly believe that money spent on travel is never wasted, because you are broadening your own realm of personal experiences! Also, I have heard that research tells us that we derive more long-term happiness from experiences (like travel) rather than “things.” That’s one of the best reasons I’ve ever heard to justify spending money on travel. We don’t usually feel at all guilty about taking vacations, for that reason.
MMD says
I couldn’t agree more! Things come and go. But memories, especially those that are unique and exotic, are forever. For that I’m totally willing to make that investment!
Brian @ Luke1428 says
I agree the price of opportunity is worth the cost. We save throughout the year to spend for our vacations and consider them memory building opportunities. Sure the money could go towards something else but I can’t think of anything more valuable than building a connection with my kids. (This is being typed while on vacation and with the kids fast asleep in the hotel room. :))
MMD says
Thanks Brian. Enjoy your vacation!
John @ Sprout Wealth says
Nice post MMD! I’ve had experiences like your first trip to the UK and always come back to regretting it in the long run. I’m of the persuasion that money spent on traveling, especially when it’s somewhere new or international, isn’t a waste. There is so much out there to see and experience that it’s well worth the cost in the long run.
MMD says
My only regret was not having more time to spend! All the money spent was definitely worth it; I’m glad I got to do as much as did.
Holly@ClubThrifty says
I love to travel for all the reasons you’ve mentioned. I believe we’re living in an amazing time on this planet- a time when so much is still possible. I want to see all this world has to offer, not just read about it.
MMD says
Beautifully stated! Why read about it or watch it on TV? Actually go to those places and see them for yourself! Get out there and experience the world.
Kim says
It is hard to go out in an unfamiliar place, especially when they drive on the “wrong” side of the road! If I can over come my timidness, I usually find it’s a great experience. That sounds like a great trip, and I’m glad you were able to get outside your comfort zone.
MMD says
Believe it or not, the driving on the other side of the road was really not too bad! It was kind of like looking in a mirror and just reversing everything in your head. What was more intimidating were the really, really narrow roads! They don’t give you a lot of margin for error over there.
EL @ Moneywatch101 says
I think when you travel you must set aside Dollars and time for adventure trips, (If it’s safe, obviously) I feel stepping out of your comfort is where you get to see new things. I like taking different routes when I drive, and I usually see something new. Nice Pics and hopefully the business opportunity will be a success.
Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life says
Having traveled extensively with work, I’m used to doing things on my own. Because my trips are generally long term, between 3-6 months, I try to strike a balance between chillin’ in the hotel room and getting out and about to play tourist. When travel becomes your life full-tim, even temporarily, taking the time to do nothing and have moments of “normal life” can be very important.
Hannah @ Wise Dollar says
Great post MMD! In exploring other countries while you are travelling are totally priceless! Meeting new friends, taking pictures is just one of the best thing you can treasure for the rest of your life. We should go out and enjoy the new environment and we should not waste our time peeking in the window of our hotel room.
Kerrie Peacock says
Great post and I completely agree! Traveling is such a great way to learn not only about yourself but about the world. We think we know everything about another country but once you get there, you will learn so much more than you could in a book. Thanks for the insight!
MakintheBacon says
Over the last seven years, I have spent thousands of dollars on international travel. I have never regretted it and believe it was worth every cent. I can’t say penny because it doesn’t exist anymore in Canada. 😛
I believe travel has made me appreciate cultures even more and realize that although we may not all speak the same language, we are the same in so many ways.
MMD says
Good points! There is a lot to humanity that is universal no matter where you go. But I do share in your view of travel: I realize how good I have it here (in the US) and what other cultures have to deal with on a daily basis. That’s a lesson that’s worth every cent.