Trade?

Mike of ZeroToCruising.com (an excellent blog, btw) recently wrote this super post about making a trade (or series of trades) to achieve ones goals.  I completely agree with him!

Since my divorce several years back, my life goals have undergone massive change.  More importantly, I have put a plan into action to achieve those goals.  As Mike notes, simply setting goals and then hoping that they magically transpire is futile.  Action is required.

Our modern society does not seem to subscribe to what Mike talks about in the above post.  We want everything, we want it now, and it should not “cost” anything.  Obviously, in spite of what your friends, hollywood, or the media tell you; this is not possible.  There is most certainly a “cost” and it requires effort and action.

I know…  I am the bearer of bad news. Sorry to ruin your week.

The media likes to present the entrepreneur/business owner that has met with some success as a rich guy that is taking advantage of people (employees) – and our society seems to have fully bought into this notion as well.  No, the reality is that most of these individuals have worked ridiculous number of hours, sacrificed massively (time with family, vacations, secure paycheck, etc.), and risked it all (their homes, savings, retirement, etc.) – all of this for many years – to “achieve” their goal. This is their trade. As an entrepreneur and business owner who has survived this rocky road, I am infuriated by these lies and attitude.  We are not going to change society though.  My point is that I am have already learned the “action is required” lesson and made a number of trades myself (some that did not work out so well).

So, what am I willing to trade to achieve my new goals?

I have traded a great deal of luxury, comfort, security, and fun.  I have sold my home, sold my most favorite “toy” (my airplane), I am living as inexpensively in a motorhome as I possibly can, and I am refusing to spend money on “extra” things.  As Mike notes, this last item includes many things from avoiding restaurants to splurging on the little things that I enjoy (bicycle parts, RV gadgets, etc.) but really bring no “value”.

I realize that my motorhome is pretty luxurious. I am most certainly not suffering or enduring extreme hardship. I am also not spending nights in resort RV parks. Instead, I boondock as much as possible (which is basically free) and I travel very little to save money on fuel.

I am not yet willing/able to publicly state exactly what my goals are nor what my timeline is but I am working hard to trade what I can to achieve those goals!  Hint: It involves a sailboat and the Caribbean!!

How about you?!?!?

What are you willing to trade to achieve your goals?