One of my biggest fears is complacency. You see, I have this battle that goes on inside my head probably more often than I even realize. It’s probably more accurate to visualize it as the old angel vs. devil on the shoulder.
One one shoulder, there’s a little angel that smiles sweetly and tells me how lucky I am to have this wonderful life that I’m living. How lucky I am to have a sailboat, a wonderful partner and a job that allows me to work remotely from the boat. How fortunate I am to be able to make additional income on the side, and oh — look at this wonderful view outside! She tells me to soak it all in and be happy with what I have.
And I am. Happy, that is. Mostly.
But then there’s this little devil on the other shoulder who’s saying, “WTF! You’re only just getting started! Don’t get soft on me now. This view? Yeah, it’s gorgeous. So gorgeous, in fact, that you keep sailing back to the same places every year instead of seeing new ones. Sure, this is all great but come on and get real. This job isn’t your dream job — not even close. You think it’s great because they let you work from a boat but ironically, it’s holding you back.”
And it is. Holding me back, that is.
You see, I have a way of getting comfortable pretty easily. I fall into a groove, and a routine, and it feels kind of good sometimes. I like the company I work for. I am very grateful that they allowed me the opportunity to work from the boat for the past three years. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for my job — figuratively speaking… and then again, we wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for my job — literally speaking.
In fact we’d probably be in the Bahamas… or the Virgin Islands… or Grenada.
Complacency. It’s what’s keeping me in a job that no longer challenges me or my mind. It’s no longer fun. It’s what’s keeping me on a dock, when really all I want is to be out at anchor somewhere, enjoying the fruits of our labor with crystal clear waters to snorkel in and people of different cultures to learn from.
So what’s the solution?
If I am jobless, would I be able to bump up my side hustles into a more full-time gig that pays enough for us to live this lifestyle, giving us the chance to get this boat off the east coast for awhile?
Do I find another job that allows me to work remotely, with perhaps a little more flexibility?
Do I just create my own dream career? Because that’s not really as far-fetched as it sounds. I know a woman who, just one year ago, started an online consulting/coaching business and is now pulling in over $20k a month from it.
It’s a lot of work, but it can be done.
I know sometimes it may seem as though I have a million things going on at once. And I do. Lately, I’ve been reading about two books a week, some for fun, some for learning, and some both. I’ve been writing the outlines for my book series, which will be about running an online business. I’ve got this blog and a few other irons in the fire.
And in between all of these things, I have a life. A fiance. A dog. And a boat that needs just a little bit more TLC before she’s ready to take us all the places we want to go. Because we’re ready to go. Ready to see more. Do more.
I told myself that 2015 was going to be the year I channel my inner bad-ass.
And bad-asses don’t sit around and wait for things to happen. They make them happen.
No more being complacent.
