As of today (late last night), there’s a new page on this blog.  Look up and see “Getting You Abroad — Hire Me”

That’s right, I’m going “pro” with this passion of mine.  I made the leap from motivating people about life overseas, to offering people straight talk on how to do it.  But I had quick doubts …am I qualified?  What should I offer?  And how?

Qualified?

When considering this consulting gig, I wondered “Am I qualified?”
I lived in or worked in about a dozen countries.  Vacationed or toured another 20.  Okay, I feel I’m qualified.

Am I qualified to motivate others about it?  After 3 years of this blog, and answering countless e-mails, yes, I feel ready to charge.

The Offer: Simple Consulting

An one hour chat between me and the person.  Will it answer all your questions?  Probably not, but 1 hour should answer a ton of questions.  More importantly, I believe 100% that ‘our little chat’ will do more to motivate and stir you to act than any other 1 hour could.

Plus, I thought about how more tailored our chat will be.  Much of my writing has a certain person in mind, but I know when talking to someone, the “helpfulness factor” skyrockets as the conversation moves along.  Further, I understand more of what that particular person needs.

Bottom Line: The core benefit is you save time, money and unnecessary mistakes along the way.  While do I believe mistakes are a valuable part of life, whenever I can share my experience and lessons to better your life —All the Better!

How much?

I am beginning at $100 for our hour long conversation.  Yes, $100 is not small money, but imagine yourself 6 months from now, at the very same spot you were 6 months ago.

Spending the $100 now won’t cause you pain in 6 months, but if we don’t talk, you may regret that more.  (just a hunch from what I’ve heard from others)

How to Be The One

No related posts.

I can write all day, but the fact is, nothing matters, unless you take action.  Here’s a post to help just that.

Here are 9 things you can do, today.  Each thing puts you closer to moving abroad.

Action #1:  Decide “I Stay” or “I Go” (time: 1 minute)

“I’ve wanted to move abroad for so long.” or “Ever since I vacationed in X, I dreamed of moving there.”  Sound familiar?

I purposefully made this first action the toughest action.  In crude English, it is time to “shit or get off the pot.”  Decide yes or no.  Decide to stay or go.

How to Decide to Stay or Go

1. Ask yourself, do the benefits outweigh the costs?  Another way to ask: does being stable now with later regret outweigh temporary upheavel and transition?
2. Answer and Decide.

Do Benefits Outweigh the Costs?

Benefits depend on where you move, but usually include:

• you experience new cultures, food, people, and places
• a better lifestyle, better outlook on life
• sense of accomplishment and confidence, a.k.a. “I did it!”
• wider, more open view of the world
• greater tolerance and openness

Costs largely depend on where you are today in life, but usually include:

• moving expenses (flights, shipping, temporary accommodations)
• distance from family and friends
• temporary upset in life

There are also the “soft costs,” like leaving your (stable?) job, having to say goodbye, having to clean house.  Then again, many would call these things benefits, not costs.

What are the Biggest Benefits?  Feeling a unfamiliar freedom, openness, experiencing new culture/food/people/space.  Kids get enormous benefit, too, way beyond what adults are capable of.  With just a small experience abroad, children benefit for the rest of their long lives.  How about you career professionals?  Professionals will see substantial value added to their CV or résumé.

How?  You decide and believe it will happen.  The “how” will follow.

Why this is important: Henry Ford said “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

** It’s important to take regret into consideration.  Looking beyond today’s costs & benefits … how about in 10 years?  Will you regret your decision?

Action #2:  Set a Date (time: 5 minutes)

Every S.M.A.R.T. goal must be time-bound.  When there’s no date, it’s not a goal, it’s a dream.

Dreams usually come ”someday.” (hint: “someday” often ends up being never).  This means you need an end date.

Pick a date and know that day is when you are leaving, period.  See #1 for your reason why.

How to Set Your Departure Date

1. What’s the date today?
2. Add 3 months.
3. Do you own a home?  Add 2-3 more months for a stress-free listing, selling & closing.
4. Do you have children in school?  Consider a summer move, between school years.
5. Mark your personalized date on your calendar or a note hanging on your frig or bathroom mirror.  Where you’ll see it often.

So, when your move date.  Mark it on the calendar.  Write. It. Down.

p.s. If you have no significant other, no job, no debt, no house, then pack now.  You’re leaving next week.

Action #3: Unload Stuff (time: 2 hours)

Half the challenge of actually moving (the logistics) is packing.  I don’t enjoy packing.  I much more enjoy the part that comes before packing: getting rid of stuff.  This means deciding what to ship, store or sell.

I enjoy throwing stuff away.  It puts a little smile on my face, if not literally, at least in my mind.  I just feel a little lighter.

But…if something is on a shelf for too long or under a pile of other stuff, I forget about it.  I forget and that “something” becomes semi-permanent.  I hate that.

So, to fix this, I tilt my head like some confused puppy and look again at the shelf.  There, I see it now ….something else to throw away.  Unloading stuff can be very liberating.  And you must lighten your load before any move.

How to Unload Your Stuff (2 hours)

Do this now, while you’re motivated:

1. Go to your living room.
2. Tilt your head like a confused puppy.
3. Look again and focus on some specific shelf.
4. Ask yourself for every item on there: “Seriously? Do I really fucking need that thing?”
5. Rejoice as you fill your trash bag.

Optional: Make Money (another 2 hours)

1. Pile those would-be trash items in a corner.
2. Grab your camera and start snapping pictures.
3. Post on Craigslist, Kijiji, eBay or your local equivalent.
4. Stash the savings toward your move. (Bonus points if you cover your flight.)

Action #4: Get a Passport (time: 30 minutes)

If you live in the U.S. and most other countries, you can’t leave your country without a passport.

Yes, there are places where travel between countries requires no passport, like the 26 Schengen countries in Europe with no border control between them.  Within the Schengen area, it’s easy to drive on the highway and whizz past the national border without noticing the small, blue sign.  Southeast Asia is also considering a Schengen-type agreement, but it’ll be a few more years before that happens.

Meanwhile, if you’re American – you need a passport to travel across national lines.  In fact, Americans now need a passport to cross into Canada or Mexico, where it wasn’t necessary prior June 2009.  (Think it’s for domestic security?  Then why do you need it to get out?)

Problem is, passports are expensive.  About $110 for the simplest renewal or $135 for your first one.  How many Americans own a passport?  Best educated guess is 28-30% (so fewer than 1 out of 3).  Why?  Well, the US has a variety of destinations across a large continent, and overseas travel is still viewed as something luxurious.

So, sure, passports are expensive.  And so is overseas tourist travel.  BUT, I’m talking about moving & living overseas.  Depending on your destination, you can go for a cheaper cost of living and a higher standard of living, which makes that $135 investment seem like nothing.

How to Get Your Passport (wherever you live):

1. Have proof of who you are (e.g. driver’s license, national ID, birth certificate)
2. Get a photo
3. Get cash ($135 for US)
4. File the form by mail or in person at local state office/post office

For Americans

• Link: HERE
• Forms: HERE
• Photo requirements: HERE

For UK residents

• Link: HERE
• Forms: HERE
• Photo requirements: HERE
• Where to go? HERE

For Canadians

• Link: HERE
• Form: HERE
• Photo requirements: HERE
• Where to go? HERE

Print out what you need, fill in the form, get the money order and Send. It. In.  Get the ability to leave.   When you hold a passport in your hand, it’s empowering beyond anything so light.  Well, except the flight ticket.

Action #5: Update Your Old Résumé or CV (1 hour)

Notice I did not say write a new resume or CV. I only mean get the old one, the one that got you your current job.  Writing a new one takes too much time.  Don’t worry about having the latest and greatest template or format.  Spend an hour and update your old one.

I’ve run this blog for 2 years.  I’ve made some cool new friends.  I’ve heard from many others.  Some are ready to go soon, some already moved abroad.  In fact, one couple who moved from Scottsdale, Arizona to Prague, Czech Republic is now moving on again (to Germany, if I remember right).

Still, while they are on their second international move, many have yet to take action.  I hope this post fixes that, today.

How To Update An Résumé

1. Open up your résumé file.

2. Add your current job, description and some value-add accomplishments.  (damn, is it that easy?)

Then What?  How About With a Job Search?

Here are my tips on your job search: be specific; don’t try to be a jack-of-all-trades candidate.

Some Homework For You

Here are a few (more) steps to take.

Oh, and if you enjoyed this post, would you do me a favour?  Would you consider hitting the “Like” Facebook button?  Or share this link with a friend?

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Delayed Due to Happiness

Forgive me readers, I have sinned.  I abandoned my blog.  Well, “abandon” is a strong word, but yeah, for many months, I haven’t posted.  Sure, thought about and wrote several drafts, but hadn’t hit publish, so I abandoned it.  I’m sorry and  I’m back.

Why did I avoid writing for so long?  Maybe I’m just too content here.  After almost 2 years here, I feel completely at home here in Nova Scotia, Canada.

And after 2 years, finally I realize, being so happy is no reason to keep quiet on this blog.  In fact, my being content here serves as more proof for others to seek their own new HOME, wherever that may be.

My Transition Was Tough – But the Lesson was Sweet

Another reason I posted so little in 2011 was the year made for a tough transition.  I struggled going from corporate worker to stay-at-home dad.  I struggled moving from gorgeous Prague to urban-hell Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.  And I struggled even more with personal matters from the past.  Thankfully, I have the world’s most supportive wife who I can also call my best friend.  She and she alone is the reason I am happily living in Canada today.

And thankfully, we left urban-hell Dartmouth and bought a house in a quaint fishing village.  Our new surroundings: Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia, Canada.  Now, as we walk off our driveway, we can glance down the street at the water, the Atlantic ocean – a dream come true.  Possible here in “the passage.”

So content I am, in fact, that I felt somewhat scummy to write how others could seek happiness elsewhere.  I mean, how can I relate to others’ motivation to move, if I’m more than happy to stay?  Sadly, it took several more months to realize, it’s perfectly healthy to find happiness somewhere.  I just happen to had found it in Eastern Passage, NS.

And I still believe it can describe anyone.  And like the time without publishing here taught me, only thinking about something doesn’t make it happen.  Results require action and so here I am, starting over at Expat Yourself.

Happily finding peace in Canada — happily helping you find yours wherever you like.

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Ever Wanted to Write (& Publish) a Book?

Yup, my all-time favourite writer did it again.  Chris Guillebeau offers a (huge) Guide on how to get published.

Well, it’s wrong of me to place all credit on Chris.  Actually, his agent, it’s Chris’ agent, David Fugate who wrote the guide.

Who is David Fugate?

David Fugate founded the LaunchBooks Literary Agency, and has personally represented over 1000 books himself as agent to around 40 publishers (Wiley, Random House, McGraw-Hill, and Perigee are some of the biggest).  Books he represented include Kevin Mitnick’s Art of Deception and Art of Intrusion, two books I read after meeting Mitnick while working for HP.

As Chris tells the story, he asked his agent David Fugate to share some tips on how to get published.  Instead, David poured his over-experienced heart out to make this 45,000-word book.

If you are one of those people who ever wanted to get published, this guide can save you tons of effort and money by leveraging David’s experience.

Surest Way (But Not Easiest) to Success

The easiest way is to do nothing.  Kinda like I’ve been doing.  I have wanted to write a book for as long as I can remember, …but haven’t started.  ”That’d be cool.” but I don’t start.

Chris shared this guide with me to review and I find it absolutely incredibly helpful, obviously a product of many years’ experience.

If I’m serious about getting published, there’s no excuse except my own fear of failing.  And with this guide, I don’t believe anyone can fail.

Check it out here:

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“Oh Fac” rhymes with “Oh Tack”  That’s how you pronounce the acronym OFAC, or the Office of Foreign Asset Control.

OFAC is the US Treasury Department’s special branch to answer “Who’s Your (Terrorist) Daddy?”  The OFAC has just published their most recent list of terrorists.  (Sorry, suspected terrorists; it’s easy to get caught up in the Salem-esque witch hunt fervour.)  In their 522-page report (yes, over five hundred pages, in very small print), they list the names, aliases and other associated infobits like passport numbers or birthplaces.

Take Mr. Khalfan here.  He’s got about a dozen aliases, birthdays and even the cutest nickname I’ve seen in a long time, Foopie.  Now, while Foopie was born in the same place as rock legend Freddie Mercury — Zanzibar, Tanzania, that’s all that Foopie and Freddie share in common.

NOTE: Don’t go searching to find your name – it’s not here.  It’s not on this list.  With proper emphasis, it’s not on this list.

No, this is the list of foreign terrorists (hence the “F” in OFAC), not suspected Americans.  Let me know if you find the list with a “Parker” or “Smith” in it.

What do you think of all this?

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“Occupy Wall Street” – Still To Happen

What started a few weeks ago on Wall Street was revolutionary.  People gathered in frustration to protest the growing, long-standing inequality of the rich (“the 1%”) and the rest of us (“the 99%”).

In my opinion, what will be more revolutionary is the response.

Could I ask you a favour?  Take under 10 minutes to watch a video.  Done by Corey Ogilvie, a talented, young, independent Canadian director, here is “I Am Not Moving”

The Best and Worst is Yet to Come.

Today, just 3 weeks since Occupy Wall Street started, there are now tens of thousands of people organizing in 120 cities across the US.  In fact, a global “Occupy” is mounting, scheduled for October 15th.

I fear one of two outcomes.  Either (1) the people will lose steam or (2) police will launch a breath-taking crackdown to quell it.  It’s a waiting game until one of the two happens.

What are your thoughts?  

Where do you see this going?  

Are you joining, in whatever city you’re in?

Update: A Run On The Bank

This might sound just like what happened in 1929, leading to the Great Depression.  There’s a mass of people going to the banks, wanting to close out their accounts.  And, like in 1929, the banks are turning people away, denying them their savings.   This comes with banks continuing to report Billions in profits per quarter.

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Reason 4: Patriotism

I hear you…”Wait, Jeff, patriotism?  Seriously?  How can you call someone wanting to leave…a patriot?”

To answer, I remind you that around 250 years ago, when families were so frustrated by their country’s tyranny (England), whose ancestors had fled, they chose to struggle in a new country (United States)?  They desired a free life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Today, we call those people our founding fathers, our country’s first and original patriots.  (Happy 4th of July today, in fact!)

Yes, I do consider someone who believes strongly in personal freedoms as a patriot.

It’s Not Your Fault if You’re Blindly Patriotic

Don’t take it personally, but if you believe the United States is strong or “going well,” that’s not patriotism.  Blind belief in the government does not make one a patriot.  It never has.  A patriot thinks for his or herself.  A patriot questions authority.  Patriotism is not blind faith in a government.

No worries, it’s not your fault.  It’s just a matter of timing.  Not so long ago, the US encouraged freedoms and liberty -even proudly founded herself upon them.  Today, however, we have the Patriot Act (wiki and critique) which goes way beyond discouraging liberty.

Benjamin Franklin, a Domestic Terrorist?

Before you start whistling the Star Spangled Banner, be careful.  The patriot of yesteryear is now a potential bad guy for the US government today.

In fact, if Thomas Jefferson or Benjamin Franklin were around and talking today, they would be jailed as domestic terrorists.

The Department of Homeland Security labels someone a domestic terrorist when they …:

• make “expressions of libertarian philosophies.”
• express “fears of Big Brother or big government.”
• “declare Constitutional rights and civil liberties.”
• exercise self-sufficiency (stockpiling food, ammo, hand tools, medical supplies)
• homeschool (if you teach your kids outside the Dept of Education’s curriculum)
• buy certain books (in fact, these two by name: One Second After and Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse

(source for these here)

Question: if I publish the above, should I fear any consequences?  Sure, I don’t picket in front of the white house, but here I am, suggesting you abandon the US for reasons above.  Does that alone make me a target?  Take the case of Susan Lindauer, a well-connected, productive and intelligent woman who voiced her concerns too loudly against the US govt.  Her world got spun around so fast it made me sick to my stomach.

Okay, So How Do I Protest As a “Patriot”?

1. Leave.

Leave now.  Cash out your chips like you’re leaving the casino.  Sell your home, your securities (funds, stocks, options) and cash out your pensions.  Take the money and run.  Run like the wind.

2. Reinvest.

Decide on a new place that more suits you and your patriotic needs.  When you (and your cash) land in a safer, freer, more stable country, then the patriotic thing to do is reinvest in that country, for yourself.  Purchase property and/or a business there.  A new life requires new equity and new income.

3. Protect Yourself (at tax time).

US citizens must file a tax return every year.  And that goes for US citizens living abroad, too.

Yes, when living abroad, working abroad, even if earning zero US income, you must still file a US tax return every year, plus a couple extra forms just for expats (more on those below).  Yeah, I think it’s bullshit, too.

BS or not, US citizens are required to report their worldwide income, regardless of residency. You know what?  To my knowledge, the United States is the only country that requires this of its citizens.  Write me if you believe otherwise and we’ll talk.

p.s. Two Extra Forms at Tax Time (for US citizen expats)

I’ve written about tax time before, but these 2 forms are too important to ignore: the 2555 and the FBAR.  Filing out those extra forms isn’t optional.

Yes, the Internal Revenue Service tries hard to persuade any US citizen against living abroad.  Well, as a patriot, you don’t care what the IRS is against.  Right Benjamin?

The 2555 is the “Foreign Earned Income” form, which basically says you can earn up to $92,000 tax free (for 2010).  (Remember: Even if you earn under $92,000, you must still fill out this form to say you did.  In short, you must file, even if you simply didn’t earn anything or owe anything – that’s the IRS for you.

The other extra tax form for expats is the FBAR (Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts).  You can thank the Department of Treasury (not IRS) for this one.

The FBAR requires you to list your foreign bank accounts (and report the highest balance you had over the year).  I have filled out the FBAR for many years and I’ll never stop, because I’ll always have foreign bank accounts.  Thankfully, the FBAR is actually relatively easy. The last good reason is, over the past few years, the Dept of Treasury has gone crazy in prosecuting non-complying expats.  (Remember the idea of hiding money in a Swiss bank account?  Not any more)

If you’ve never heard of the FBAR and you’re considering filing it, read this article here.

The tax filing deadline for US citizens living abroad is June 15th (postmarked as mailed out).  For the FBAR form, the deadline is June 30th (must be received by).

Anyway, I’ve been sitting on this post for a while and I’ve got to publish it.  I wish you all a Happy 4th of July, wherever you are.
If you’re in the US, celebrate your home’s independence.  If you’re outside the US, celebrate your own independence!

If you’re looking for other popular reasons people leave the US, read up on Frustration, Adventure and Seeking an Improved Life.

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Reason 3: Seeking Improved Life

We already covered two reasons for leaving the USA already: Frustration and Seeking Adventure.  Now, we talk about those of us just wanting a better life.  And that about covers everyone.

“Hey, Jeff, that’s vague, what exactly is “a better life’?“  How about a better standard of living.

Does that mean better healthcare?  More personal liberties?  Lower cost of living? YES, all the above.

So, I mean health, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

Problem to Fix: Healthcare

I’ll make this short.  Healthcare will not improve in the US for your or your kids’ lifetime.  Sorry it’s a short, sad conclusion.  If this is important to you, move.

Okay, I’ll give my disclaimer.  I don’t know the future, but I do know it would take a revolution to undo the death grip on the healthcare system by the private healthcare industry.  They won’t let go for as long as there’s money to be made (and shared with legislators and lobbyists).  Doctors understand this, but they have no say in how it’s run.  And as baby boomers come of old age, health care providers are providing less health and more bills.  Prepare to pay more, or move.

Need an example?  Look no further than the notorious Johnny B Truant.  Johnny’s a Type 1 diabetic and has blogged about it several times, how he overcomes it with great health (though it hindered his 30-day no-carb diet trial).  Healthy lifestyle or not, his insurance premium keeps skyrocketing.  Well, that changed – Johnny quit his health insurance! Johnny said, and I quote, “Fuck this. I’m jumping over the walls to get that carrot.” (you have to read his cute story to get the carrot bit)  I applaud the guy – he broke the rule of “Everyone NEEDS insurance.” and is now saving himself a grand a month.  Nice work JBT.

Problem to Fix: Personal Liberties

Are you a Ron Paul fan?  Keep up with the (ever fun but educational) blog of the Lugwig von Mises Institute?  If so, label yourself a Libertarian.  But you knew that already.

Why do I bring up Ron Paul?  I was at a meetup just last Wednesday.  The organizer casually gave his view on government: “I believe we need only two laws: Protect our own property and protect our liberties.”  I smiled and asked if he’s a Ron Paul fan.  He smiled back.  The organizer echoed the classic tenets that define libertarianism.

Are people leaving the US because of eroding personal liberties?  I doubt it’s the sole or even their main reason.  But I do agree that personal liberties as a whole are eroding away at a faster clip than ever before.  And that pushes more people to think about leaving.

[Here is where my wife steps in and says "Well, don't just mope about it - do something!"]

If you ‘re upset (too), sign this petition to create (actual) change.

If you’re pessimistic (too) that things will change, then leave the US for a country which provides stronger liberties to its population (foreign or native).  As for the US changing for the better, I am hopeful, but it’s going to take a revolution.

The top countries are:

1. Sweden (why am I not surprised?)
2. Finland
3. Denmark
4. New Zealand
5. Norway
6. Netherlands
7. Switzerland
8. Canada
9. Ireland
10. Australia

The US came in between the UK and Estonia.  Here is my source table.  For my list, I used their scoring, plus a bit of my own bias to reformat as a numbered list.

Some last words about personal or civil liberties.  Some liberties may be more important than others.  For you, it may your right to practice a religion, women’s rights, or racial equality.  For me, I focus more on personal privacy of information.  I don’t mind someone looking up my phone number, but I do mind when someone (without my consent) listens to a phone conversation or predetermines my chance for a disease. But that’s me… how do you feel about it?  Leave a comment.

Problem to Fix: Cost of Living

Relying on a pension isn’t what it used to be.  And today, does anyone stay with a company long enough to earn a pension?

Thankfully, a mediocre pension cheque in the United States isn’t so mediocre in many other countries.  Same goes for that meagre social security if you’re a senior, or the humble rent profit if you’re a landlord, or the dividends if you’re an investor, or even a passive income from some online business.  In all cases, the amount goes farther if you spend it in a country that costs less.  (The better case is if you’re earning in that country, rather than exchanging from the declining dollar, but that’s another story.)

Thinking of leaving the country because of your taxable portfolio?  Well, leave now while the going’s good, because there’s likely to be legislation that may follow you abroad.

Next Up: Patriotism

Stay tuned for the next (#4 – “Patriotism”) reason why people leave the United States.  There are over 5 million of us abroad – why not you?

Until then, I ask you just one favour.  If you like this post or the others, hit the Facebook Like button below and share it with your friends.

Thanks,

-Jeff

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In case you missed it, this is Part 2 of a series of why people are leaving (as they run the f*** away from) the US.  Part I is here.

Reason 2: Adventure

When I say “adventure” you might picture backpackers. Or maybe the young, single crowd, no-responsibilities type.  No.  At least, that’s not how I label me and my wife.

How about sleepwalkers?  That’s how I label us.  I and my wife are classic sleepwalkers through life.  Or at least we’re prone to be if we’re not careful about it.  And I believe if you’re reading this blog, you might be too.

Who’s a Life Sleepwalker?

Like I just said above, we are.  We all are.  Is it human nature?  We get more settled, more stuff, more routine.  Cruise control sets in and we sleepwalk through life.

A few weeks ago, a new friend, Vernon wrote in to me.  He asked about our reasons for travel.  I mentioned we once lived in Korea (mid 90′s) but then moved to the States.  He asked “Why did you leave the States after having spent time in Korea?”  I’m guessing Vernon half-expected we left because we were frustrated with the US.

Nope, not frustrated, except with ourselves.  We longed for adventure.  My then girlfriend and I came from Korea and decided to live together and find work in beautiful New Hampshire.  After a few years, we got married.  Then we got a house.  Then we had a baby.  Slowly, over about 10 years, we went from Korea to absolutely rooted.  We were lulled to sweet slumber.

Bored or Sleepwalking?

Are you bored or sleepwalking?  There’s a difference.

Bored is when you’re lacking stimulation.  You need a hobby or passion.  Note: careful not to confuse boredom with procrastination.  That’s self-inflicted resistance against what’s important and is only posing as boredom.  (When I blow 2 hours on Digg, I realize I’m procrastinating)

Sleepwalking is when you’re lacking uncertainty or adventure.  You need to take a step (or tw0) out of your comfort zone.
Sleepwalkers aren’t just in their comfort zone, they’re spinning around in there like a toy top.

When life seems like it’s moving “fast enough for us,” — then you might be sleepwalking.

When you feel busy, yet your to-do list is all urgent but not important — then you might be sleepwalking.

If in 5 years you won’t remember what you did today, last week or last year — you’re probably sleepwalking.

Trust me – the months/years will drop away like you wouldn’t believe.  Do something that spooks you awake.

Problems to Fix: Boredom and “Sleepwalking”

Bored?  Swallow the frog!

If only bored, fine, seek out a hobby.  Or tackle your to-do list with fervour. See “Swallow the frog”

Sleepwalking?  Three Questions

If you suspect you’re sleepwalking, ask yourself these 3 questions:

1. Is my life “comfortable” but not giving me comfort or peace of mind?

• If you answer ‘yes’ – you just might be sleepwalking

2. Do I find that the days (weeks, months) seem to be the same?

• If so, you may be sleepwalking (or actually sleeping in a coma)

3. Do you have a vision of how life will be better in 5 years from now?

• If not sleepwalking, life can be better when taking aim at something.

Like I said above, we had it all: the house, the careers, a solid network of great friends, and the infant (and even a cat).  We were so “set” we felt we were almost sleepwalking.  That thought made us miserable (okay, maybe that’s dramatic, but you get the idea).

How did we fix it? We spun the globe, picked 3 cities.  Three cities we hadn’t seen before but were curious about:  Auckland, Barcelona and Prague.  I sent out CVs to recruiters in each.  We sold the house, quit our jobs and put all our crap in storage.
In 3 months, we were living in Prague.

Would we do it again?  We did.  Fast forward 4 years.  We find ourselves owning another house (our flat in downtown Prague) and we popped another child.  (What can we say?  Our house-warming parties are super fertile!)

Then, come summer 2010  - we’re here in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Adventure is the primary reason my wife and I had left the U.S. for Prague in 2006, and we are NOT your stereotypical backpackers.  In short, adventure drives people of all ages, all kinds, and all sizes, to make what seems to others some rash decisions.  And when you’re sick of the status quo, you do whatever needs to be done.

Want to do a final test?  ”Pinch yourself.”

That’s how we wake ourselves when sleeping, right?  Then “pinch yourself” awake from sleepwalking by stepping well outside your comfort zone.  Take a Leap of Faith and Scare Yourself Silly.

Some Ideas How to Pinch Yourself Awake:

• At work, organize and present a topic completely unrelated to work. (think Toastmasters)
• Try a new sport – take up running, skateboarding, swimming.  Less experience, the better
• Get a major adrenaline rush – do a bungee jump, skydive, tell a Baptist to go to hell (testing if you’re still with me)
• Contribute to the community – volunteer as a pollster, in a food kitchen, read books at a daycare
• Take up an instrument – you’re not getting any younger….go ahead, dust off the guitar
• Move abroad.  (oh, you knew I had to add this one, right?)

Hope this has been helpful.  If you have any comments or thoughts for me – leave a comment below.  I look forward to hearing from you.

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Frustration leads people to make uncomfortable decisions, such as “abandoning their own country” for another.  Ah, there’s the popular debate of whether I’m being patriotic.  But I’ll leave that for another post in this series.

For now, I ask this question: is it better to stick around in a bad situation, or to make the tough decisions to do what you know is best for you, for your quality of life?  Wait for the next post.

Are you Frustrated?  Becoming an expat yourself gives you Encouragement

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2. Why Are People Leaving The US, Part 3 Reason 3: Seeking Improved Life We already covered two reasons...
3. Why Are People Leaving the US, Part 4 Reason 4: Patriotism I hear you…”Wait, Jeff, patriotism?  Seriously?  How...