Why You Should Drop Everything and Travel
Ahhhh. Travel. A luxury that was once only reserved for the wealthy. While international travel is becoming increasingly cheaper by the year, many people still put it off. They say things like, “I can’t travel. I don’t have the money” or “There’s no way I could get the time off of work” or even the cringe-worthy “I’ll travel when I retire”
You know when the best time to travel is? Now.
Three years ago, I ditched my law school dreams and headed to Taiwan to teach English. People asked me, “Why Taiwan?” or said, “Wow. I wish I could do that”. I would just laugh because not only did have no idea why I was doing it (I just HAD to) but it was also something that ANYONE can do. Not only CAN anyone do it but I think they SHOULD.
There are so many reasons to drop everything right now and travel. I’m going to give you what I think are the best reasons. However, once you do actually drop everything and go for it, you’ll find that your reasons will differ greatly from mine.
1. “It’s the economy stupid”.
Alright, so I hate that quote. But seriously, the recession IS a good reason to travel. You might think, but I’m broke and how do I get the money to travel? International travel is a great way to leverage the money that you do have (or can earn) to buy you a better lifestyle than you have at home.
For example, in Taiwan I had a furnished studio apartment. It was small and Spartan. It had two queen sized beds pushed together in the bedroom. I had a small balcony and an amazing view of the mountains just outside Taichung. For this, I paid $300 USD. AND I found out later that I was actually get “ripped off” with the price.
Now that I’m back in California, I can’t even find a ROOM for $300 USD.
Now, if you can either find a job abroad or find a way to have cash flow coming in from another source then you’re well on the way to traveling in countries with low cost of living. Look at Asia first for the sweetest deals. But I’ve also heard great things about Central and South America.
2. I’ve got friends (bros?) in different country codes.
Traveling has allowed me to meet the most amazing people on Earth. Not only that but I can literally pick a destination off a map at random and I either know someone who lives there now or I know someone who has traveled there and can give me pointers. That’s invaluable. Relationships are really the key to be happy and successful. When you travel, you meet and network with people who are like-minded, adventurous, and just plain fun. These are the people that you want to know.
3. Experience AKA It makes you cool
Experience is a funny concept. All it means is that you’ve done __________ for a decent amount of time to warrant some type of wisdom.
Travel doesn’t just give you travel wisdom. Travel, international travel in particular, gives you a global knowledge that sets you apart from the pack.
So many people are struggling to find jobs in this economy. You know what can give your resume that extra edge that it may need? Travel. Always put any international travel longer than 1 or 2 months on your resume. Even better if you gained work or volunteer experience. This tells your employer that you’re well-rounded, willing to take risks, and that you can deal with unfamiliar situations. Or, at the very least, it gives you something interesting to talk with your interviewee about. They might remember you just based on that crazy story you told about being stuck on a bus in Vietnam for 12 hours.
These are just a few of the reasons that I give my friends when they whine to me about how they can’t travel.
However, I think the biggest reason to drop everything and travel depends entirely on YOU. What do you dream about? What excites you? What makes you motivated? If you know what your passions are then you should get out there and do them. However, if you’re unsure about any of these things then you probably just need to get out of your comfort zone. You may have become complacent and happy with the day-to-day humdrum existence that so many of us fall into. International long-term travel IS the cure. It will push you directly out of your comfort zone and make you question just about everything. It’s good for the soul.
If you’ve been putting off that dream trip, I urge to make plans TODAY. Just go for it. If you think you CAN’T then talk to me and we’ll figure out how you CAN. I assure you that you CAN. And when get back, drop me a line and we’ll trade stories.
What’s shaking Taiwan? Earthquakes!
The damper in the center of Taipei 101
“Do not be tense, just be ready, not thinking but not dreaming, not being set but being flexible” -Bruce Lee
The picture above is what you’ll see if you ever visit the top Taipei 101. It was once the largest building the world until it was surpassed by Dubai’s Burj Khalfa. The damper in the center of the building lets it sway like a wet noodle during an earthquake.
When I moved to Taiwan, I wasn’t at all scared of earthquakes. I’m still not. I’m a California girl and I grew up with shaking. I actually slept through an earthquake once while my family panicked. They really don’t phase me.
However, I was really glad to know that Taiwan is one of the most earthquake safe places around.
Taiwan has been through many earthquakes. Because of this fact, they have developed building techonology that creates flexible yet sturdy buildings.
The concept is simple. As Bruce Lee says; what is flexible will move. The damper in the center of Taipei 101 is basically a massive ball that allows the building to move from side to side. While Taiwan’s building don’t all employ this method, the principle is generally the same.
Recently, both Chile and Haiti suffered during massive earthquake damage and death because they were ill prepared. However, Taiwan went through an earthquake just a week or two later and there were no reported deaths. While there was damage to some older buildings, I think it’s safe to say that Taiwan is doing a pretty good on the earthquake safety front.
So, kudos to Taiwan and keep up the good work. I hope that we can encourage all countries to prioritize earthquake safety so that we avoid tragedies like those of the previous months.
Generation Y and a sense of entitlement
I was recently asked, “Do you think Generation Y has a sense of entitlement?”
I was born in 1983 so I fit the bill for Gen Y. While I agree that people in my generation do feel like they can do ANYTHING and that they deserve the best that the world has to offer, I don’t think that labeling it a “sense of entitlement” is the correct spin to put on it.
I prefer to think of it as an imagination revolution. Gen Y-ers are realizing that their dreams can really come true. We don’t think that the world owes something but we DO think that the world has more to offer than previous generations.
Look at how far we’ve come in the last 20 years. The Internet, overcoming the Cold War, Web 2.0, 9/11, a biracial president, and what’s next? Why shouldn’t we feel like life has more to offer us than ever before? Why shouldn’t we look to all the possibilities of the world with wonder and excitement and ask, “What’s next? What’s next for me? What’s next for us?”
I encourage people my age to reclaim their sense of worth. I don’t call it a sense of entitlement. Maybe that exists but I just don’t see it. It’s an imagination revolution. We’ve figured it out and we’re going places with it.
-Heidi Briones, Lifestyle Designer
What is a lifestyle designer?
What do you mean by “lifestyle designer”? – D’An
I got the term from Tim Ferriss’, author of The Four Hour Workweek. You should definitely buy this book immediately. It WILL change your life.
A lifestyle designer is someone who decides to reject the notion of the deferred life-plan that so many subscribe to. Most people think they should go to school, get a job, work at that job until they retire, and then do whatever they want.
A lifestyle designer chooses to do what they want to do NOW. That’s right, right now. There is no reason to defer your life until you can no longer enjoy it. Why spend your healthiest years working (read: slaving) for someone else? It’s time to take control of your life and do what makes you happy now.
A lifestyle designer is time-wealthy. They may not be “rich” but they have automated some cash flow so that they can have lots of time at their disposal.
A lifestyle designer chooses to live NOW. To be more productive, have more fun, automate more income, and LIVE more.
That’s why I consider myself a lifestyle designer and I strive to be a part of this movement.
If you want to be a lifestyle designer then the first time is think about what you really want. What would you do, daily, if you have $100 million in the bank? Chances are that it’s a lot more doable than you realize. Write down exactly what you want and strive to make that happen in the next 3, 6, or 12 months. Always have a goal, set it HIGH, and stick to it.
I hope that helps you to understand more about lifestyle design. Pick up Tim’s book for more info.
-Heidi
Tapping Into Your Inner Expert
“An expert is a man [or woman] who has made all the mistakes which can be made, in a narrow field.” – — Niels Henrik David Bohr
You’re an expert. Yep, you. If you’re reading this right now then I guarantee you’re an expert at something.
Maybe you already knew that. If so, congrats. You’re ahead of most of the population.
Many people think that they are not EXCELLENT at any one thing. Maybe they know they’re good at a few things but they definitely don’t consider themselves experts.
Well, most people (again) are WRONG.
You are an expert at something.
I recently participated in a webinar/Q & A with author Tim Ferriss. He coined the term lifestyle design, wrote the book “The Four Hour Workweek” and helps people build their businesses with mobility in mind.
He often recommends that people define themselves as an expert in ONE arena and run with it. Come out with some information products, sell products, and set themselves up for the coveted four hour work week.
However, many people, can’t think of anything that they are experts at.
Tim offers this suggestion: “Ask yourself: What makes me weird?”
Seriously, what makes you weird? Do you like birdhouses? Synchronized swimming? Building birdhouses whiel synchonized swimming?
Maybe what makes you weird isn’t even that weird at all. Are you really good at snowboarding and like to do yoga? Well, maybe you’re an expert at yoga positions for snowboarders. Sound weird enough to you?
Here’s your homework: Make a list of all the stuff that you enjoy doing. Then rate each item on the list on a scale of 1 – 5. 5 being “I’m really really good at this” and 1 being “Just a hobby”. Then when you’re finished take a look at the list and circle everything that you listed as a 3 or better.
If you think hard enough, you should be able to figure out that you’re an expert in SOMETHING. If not, put the list away and look at it again in a few days. I guarantee that if nothing else, this exercise will get you thinking about yourself and the value that you could offer the world if you’d only tap into it.
How to increase productivity and get things done in three easy steps
Ahh, procrastination. You know what you need to do but you’d just rather not to do… At least not right now.
How many things do you have on your procrastination list? Still want to take that dream trip and haven’t made it? Still want to quit your job and start your own business?
Or maybe it’s just the little things that are adding up. Sure, the laundry will do itself one day. They’ll definitely invent that sometime in the next 100 years. Right, keep telling yourself that
Here is a surefire way to increase your productivity in three easy steps.
1. Make a clear goal.
“If you are not making the progress that you would like to make and are capable of making, it is simply because your goals are not clearly defined.” – Paul J. Meyer
Most people fail to get anything done simply for the fact that they have no idea what they want to do. They have never sat down and WRITTEN out their goals in a clear and concise manner. This inevitably leads to a nagging feeling in your gut that you could be doing more.
2. Write your goals down. Daily.
This is the single best tactic that I’ve learned for goal setting and productivity. No doubt.
Take an old fashion piece of paper. Do it. Now. I’ll wait.
Now: write down three specific goals that you have for yourself. Make one a daily goal, one a monthly goal, and finally a three month goal.
When you write your goals, write them in the PRESENT TENSE.
For example, don’t write “I want to take a trip to Cancun”.
DO write, “I am taking a trip to Cancun. I’m packing my bags and about to jump on the plane”.
Seems silly but it works! The difference is that you’re setting your brain to think that you’ve already accomplished these goals. Now, nothing can stop you. There are no more mental blocks that will allow you to procrastinate further.
Re-write these goals daily to keep them fresh.
3. Dream big. As big as possible.
“You have to set goals that are almost out of reach. If you set a goal that is attainable without much work or thought, you are stuck with something below your true talent and potential.” – Steve Garvey
Most people set their goals far too low. Don’t be afraid of setting goals that seem unrealistic or lofty. These are the BEST goals. It’s better for you to set an “unrealistic” goal and come close then to set an easy goal and reach it without effort or strife.
Don’t be afraid of your true potential. You are capable of far more than you realize.
Now did you write your goals down yet? I’m betting you didn’t. Go right now and grab and piece of paper and a pen and write down three goals. Then take that piece of paper and put it in your pocket for whenever you need motivation or encouragement.
Good luck, I know you can do it!
Top Three Fat Burning Foods
Can food burn fat? Absolutely. I’ve learned this after years of weight training, cardio training, and losing weight that I pick up during times of travel or extreme stress.
Here are my top three fat burning foods. Try to eat at least 2 out of the three on a typical day and while incorporating water consumption and exercise. You will start to see the fat shred off your body.
For the purposes of this post, I’m only including starchy carbs. Just to show that carbs CAN help you burn fat when eaten in the correct combinations.
1. Oatmeal
It was really difficult for me to get into oatmeal. The texture really bothered me. However, it is an excellent fat burning food. It’s also very versatile. You can mix it with protein powder for a complete meal. I have to mix in some kind of fruit (I personally prefer bananas) in order to get over my initial texture issues. I’m into it now. Yum.
2. Yams/Sweet potatoes
Yeah, yeah. Yams and sweet potatoes aren’t technically the same. However, they often marketed as the same product in the U.S. so I’m lumping them together. They are an excellent fat burning complex carbohydrate. To create a complete meal, mix them with a lean cut of meat.
3. Brown Rice
Brown rice is an excellent fat burning food. The hardest part about brown rice is making it correctly. It can turn out too grainy and almost inedible if you do it wrong.
A quick Google search led me to this link: http://pinchmysalt.com/2009/04/06/how-to-cook-perfect-brown-rice/
I haven’t tried it yet but it’s worth a shot. If you can get brown rice just right then it is a great companion to a any type of protein source that you choose.
Yum! Alright, happy eating (and fat burning).
New Year’s Resolutions
-Update my shiny new blog weekly
-Write an e-book
-Study Spanish
-Train in Muay Thai
-Get back in serious shape
-Monitor expenses on Mint.com
-Travel to at least one new country
-Get straight As in the Spring
-Speak at universities in LA
-Get a press release printed
-Use HARO (www.helpareporterout.com)
-Schedule my tweets with su.pr
-Spend more time with my siblings
Love more
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