24 Jul Is the Grass Always Greener?
Waterloo commuters (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Our goal is to go away on vacation at least once per year. It never fails that while we’re abroad, we develop wild fantasies about how sweet life would be if we lived elsewhere.
I realize that we’re not alone in these musings when we talk to other folks who dream big dreams when they’re on vacation.
“Life would be better here.”
“If I lived here, I wouldn’t have xyz problems.”
“This is the good life.”
When a friend went to Hawaii and seriously looked into purchasing real estate and relocating his family there, we had a little heart to heart. I was excited for him if it was going to work, but it would be a devastating financial loss for his family if it didn’t. So I posed a few questions to make sure he was thinking about the entire picture – outside of the cool surf, gorgeous scenery, and hang loose vacation attitude. I asked him, “Would life be the same way if you have to work there and make a decent living to pay the bills?” There was a long pause. A very long pause. (Is this what a pregnant pause is?)
The answer was finally delivered. “No.”
Whenever we step off a train on vacation, I’m nearly swept away with the romance of train stations – the large open areas full of bustling people, the huge skylights, the architectural wonders…it’s just like the movies! I want to live in this town!
But watch commuters wherever you visit. They look and feel the same way that commuters do where you live. Why? Because they’re not on vacation.
What does this have to do with productivity? I have a lot of clients who spend time chasing dreams. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this if the dream is realistic. I can dream about moving to Paris all I want, but unless I find a sugar daddy, I’ll have to find a way to make a living – and turn into the commuters I see while I’m in the metro headed to my next café or museum spot.
My time would be better spent chasing realistic dreams for my business – and saving up for two weeks of fantasy every year.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Instead of trying to get over to that grass, why not cultivate and nurture the grass under your feet and make that as green as possible?
About Helene Segura
Helene Segura teaches go-getters how to use their time more efficiently in order to have a more peaceful life. For details about her, be sure to visit https://www.HeleneSegura.com
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