With this post in the Travel Myth Buster Series I would like to move away from excuses about money, and into excuses about time. One VERY common excuse I hear people make regularly for not incorporating international travel into their lives is:

To this excuse my reply is usually a simple, “Yes, you do!” The problem with this excuse is that it’s based on some misconceived notion that “travel” is only defined as 6 month backpacking trips across Europe or 3 month treks through the Andes. However, that’s just not true!

In travel as in anything else we endeavor to include in our lives, we work with what we have. If all you can manage is one week a year to go travel, USE IT! Do that 5 years in a row and you you can experience more new cultures, amazing sites, and regions of the globe than most people do in their lifetime. It’s worth it!

As with any other aspect of your life, recognize what you are capable of and take advantage of it. Take one week off this year, and maybe next year you’ll realize you can actually free up two. Don’t stress about not having more time, just make a conscious decision to make the best of what you have. Do you have a little extra time after Christmas, are summer weeks a little slow, can you save up sick or personal days, figure out what you’re capable of and TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!

Make it happen
So, now you have a plan, one week, one new exotic location a year. Now all that’s left to do is to make it happen. Follow these 5 basic steps, and you will embark down a new road as an International Traveler!

1. Set a date: Absolute first step, talk to your boss, coworkers, clients, cat, whoever you work with, and coordinate one week sometime in the next 12 months where you can take off to go traveling. Set this date in stone and work towards it. If not, you will continuously procrastinate, and will never actually realize your dream.

2. Work your ass off: Next step is to work your ass off getting everything in your life in order. You have a goal, you have a time frame, now it’s time to get it done, no excuses. Tie up all loose ends, and use your upcoming trip as motivation.

3. Go enjoy your international experience: Have a fantastic time.

4. Come back ready to work: Come back recharged and ready to work at 110%. Your employer, coworkers, and clients will see this, and it will instill confidence in them for the next time you travel.

5. Start planning for next year’s trip: This is your lifestyle now, get ready for the next amazing trip. African Safari, Trans Siberian Railroad, Fiji?

Return to the “Travel Myth Buster” series

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