DEFCON 1: What about my Career?
01:02:02
Learning new life skills - splitting coconuts for dinner - San Blas, Panama
“There are moments, Jeeves, when one asks oneself, ‘do trousers matter?’”
#09 Quitting a job for any reason, let alone a life of freedom, travel, and adventure, is a significant psychological and financial barrier to overcome. Your job is not only a primary source of income but also the culmination of years spent climbing the career ladder and indelibly woven into your identity. This dilemma is why lucrative, high-status positions are euphemistically labeled "Golden Handcuffs.”
Golden handcuffs are hard to shake off not just because of salary, but also the lifestyle they enable. Someone with a high-paying job usually has high expenditures and doesn’t want to relinquish the luxuries, high-status memberships, schools, and goodies that come with it. In short, it’s not just about money, but lifestyle, friendship groups, and a sense of worth.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this series, in my past life, I held a decent, well-paid position as a lead artist for a computer games company in the heart of a vibrant northern city in the UK. Okay, it wasn’t quite a six-figure salary, but I had a trendy metropolitan apartment close to work as I didn’t like commuting, especially when the job demanded a 12+ working day. The paid overtime, energy, friendship group, trendy bars, and cool job status were all great, but my diet, exercise, and sleep patterns were a mess, and I felt a constant, inexpressible undercurrent of anxiety.
Then, one day, as I casually watched a guy navigating his boat through the city's canal system, a mug of tea in hand and a broad smile on his face, it struck me. Life wasn't about the money or the apartment or the cool job; it was about freedom, adventure, and being in control of my own destiny.
Freedom, adventure, and in control of your own destiny - Rainbow Reef, Fiji
A well-rounded, resilient life transcends a singular job or career; it should embody a blend of problem-solving, risk-taking, and uncertainty. Embracing these challenges and transforming them into opportunities cultivates character, success, and mental resilience. Failing to harness and practice these adaptive qualities makes you susceptible to stagnation, dogma, and can even lead to mental health issues.
If you do opt for a clean break and career gap, consider it a valuable chapter in your life story. Much like raising children, the gap on your resume can become a narrative filled with character-building, adventurous spirit—qualities any future employer would admire.
A career break, especially one filled with freedom, travel, and adventure, can also offer an individual new skills, fresh perspectives, and a renewed sense of energy when they return to the workforce. Studies show that individuals who take charge of their destiny in this way are happier, healthier, more productive, and even more empathetic and resilient.
Community work, helping to lay forest paths - New Zealand
Missing time in a CV is now generally met with open curiosity rather than an assumption of a person’s poor performance or reliability. And you wouldn’t be alone. In a recent survey of 23,000 global workers, 62% said they had taken a break at some point in their professional careers.
But, if a career gap is not your cup of tea, options are still open to you. Some forward-thinking employers actively encourage sabbaticals, recognising the tangible benefits of nurturing a work-life balance for dedicated employees. Remote work from a boat is also an option, but it requires flexibility in working hours and an abundance of suitable anchorages and marinas, which somewhat contradicts the essence of adventure travel. Nevertheless, we’ll look at digital nomading as an option later in this series.
I’d like to conclude with a story I first heard many years ago - the parable of 'The Businessman and the Fisherman.' It is attributed to motivational speaker and author Wayne Dyer, although its true origins are unclear. At its heart, it serves as a compelling reminder about the importance of contentment, priorities, and simple pleasures in life.
The Businessman and the Fisherman
Making model fishing boats - Greece
A vacationing businessman stood on the quay of a quaint coastal fishing village on a Greek Island, captivated by the sight of a small fishing boat gliding into the dock. On deck, several large fish glistened in the sunlight. Basking in the warmth of the early afternoon sun, the businessman couldn't resist complimenting the fisherman on his impressive catch.
“How long does it take you to catch them?” the businessman casually inquired.
“Oh, only a few hours,” the fisherman replied with a contented smile.
“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” the businessman suggested, curious.
The fisherman responded warmly, “With this catch, I have more than enough to support my family.”
Intrigued, the businessman shifted to a more serious tone, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
With a genuine smile, the fisherman shared, “I sleep late, play with my children, take a leisurely lunch with my wife. Sometimes in the evenings, I take a stroll into the village for a game of chess with my friends and later maybe play my guitar at the local taverna.”
Impatiently, the businessman interrupted, “Look, I've been a businessman all my life, so here’s some advice. If you fish longer every day, you can sell the extra fish, buy a bigger boat, and gradually build a fleet of boats.”
Proud of his quick thinking, the businessman laid out an ambitious scheme, “Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, sell it directly, open a fish cannery, control processing and distribution. Move to the mainland, maybe even abroad and expand your business.”
The fisherman, never having contemplated such ideas, asked, “But how long will all this take?”
After a mental calculation, the businessman confidently declared, “Probably about 15 to 20 years, maybe less if you work really hard.”
“And then what?” inquired the fisherman.
With a hearty laugh, the businessman exclaimed, “That's the best part! You would sell your business and become very rich.”
“Really? What would I do with all that money?” questioned the young fisherman in disbelief.
The businessman sighed deeply, “Then you could happily retire. Move to a beautiful island, sleep late, play with your grandchildren, take a leisurely lunch with your wife. Sometimes in the evenings you could take a stroll into the village for a game of chess with friends and later maybe play guitar at the local taverna.”
That’s it again for another week, so here are a few things to try until next time.
“There are moments Jeeves..”
This A4 PDF Poster is available from our Patreon site:
This week's suggestions:
Begin defining clear work hours, resist bringing work into personal time, and dedicate non-work hours to family, hobbies and activities you enjoy.
Listen to, or read, ‘The Pathless Path’ by Paul Millerd or ‘The Resilience Project’ by Hugh van Cuylenburg then download our GEM exercise inspired by Hugh’s initiative. Incorporate GEM (Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness) into your daily routine to build resilience and equip yourself with the mental fortitude to keep yourself shipshape and ready for the sailing adventures to come.
“Checklist - GEM Exercises” available from here: https://www.patreon.com/mothershipadrift/shop
Download. FREE to Tier 3 - Skipper Patreons and above
