It’s not always easy to know what to do for the best. I remember years ago, before the advent of widespread email, writing to a penfriend (a girl in the Middle East for some reason) about not having the answer book to life. We were both trying to decide what to do with our lives and were uncertain. I compared the certainty of academic study with my uncertainty about life in general and was reminded of being in maths class and finding the answer book to our maths book in an old storeroom. I thought having the answer book meant I had it made – life in that subject would be simple; but I was wrong in the long term because it taught reliance on an external source. This approach set me up to thinking in the wrong frame for quite some time that all problems could be solved with silver bullets (when the truth is they usually can’t be solved in a prescribed way). Some problems can be solved quickly with the right approach. Other problems seem to require dedication and persistency e.g. improving in a foreign language.
So, with no answer book about what would be best for the future but relying on my own competencies and skills and with only a few reservations, I gave notice at work this week. It’s a small risk but I know I can find something else because I have many options available. First, I have been accepted to a UK university to study for a PhD and I am waiting to find out if I will get the scholarship funding. Another plus is I have been accepted for a special program of work in the summer in Liverpool – this will allow me to save several thousands of pounds. It’s all good as far as it goes but where is it leading?
Being reminded of The 4 Hour Work Week, I read the chapter on killing one’s job. If you can, in no way, figure out a way to work remotely, Ferriss suggests it might be time to start looking for a new job. That’s how it is with me. I know it’s possible to work during the summer and to escape the current situation, but longer term the goal is to develop something more along the lines of the The 4 Hour Work Week: reduced hours and working for one’s self.
I’ve looked into a move to Barcelona, Madrid and even Italy. I’m working on the Michel Thomas Spanish course and trying to get my head around conditional verbs (“I would do it”!) – it seems I have missed something because this grammar point is hard to follow on CD 7 whereas the rest of the course has not been too challenging for me. But tolerating ambiguity is part of being a successful language learner so I’ll try to roll with it.
Also, I have an interview for a job in Hong Kong next week. But do I want to do another two years out there in the heat and humidity? It’s hard to decide but that is life. I have to choose because no one will choose for me. There’s no answer book. I’m reminded of existentialism – Sartre, Kundera and Houellebecq, especially, come to mind. We have to make our own decisions in life and take responsibility for what we choose.
Let’s not be in the position of the person who said ‘I used to be decisive but I’m not sure now’. Take action, take a chance that might pay off then correct it if necessary. Thanks, Tim Ferriss and other guiding lights.