abroadleap

There are many definitions of the word leap, but my personal favorites are “a sudden passage or transition” and “a choice made in an area of ultimate concern”.  I am certainly taking a great leap forward, and a leap of faith, as I embark on a journey around the world with one of my dear friends for the better part of 2017. I will be leaving behind everything I know, everything that is comfortable for me, and everyone that I love.

I recently obtained an MBA while working full-time at a law firm where I had been for nearly eight years. Before I started my last semester of school, I knew it was time to make a change, but I didn’t quite know what that change would be. One day, a book showed up in the mail from a woman at my firm who I truly admire and who apparently knew what I needed more than I did. After reading Leap: Leaving A Job With No Plan B To Find The Career And Life You Really Want (by Tess Vigeland), I was truly inspired to take my own leap – to take a risk that I previously did not have the courage to do.

One of the most challenging aspects of life is finding a career that truly makes you happy, a job that fulfills you and allows you to continuously grow, learn and challenge yourself to be the best version of who you are, or the person you want to be. Tess said it best when she explained one of the many reasons for her leap: “you eventually realize that it’s time to leave when you have too much self-respect to stay”. Don’t get me wrong, I had a great job with a decent salary and a lot of autonomy, working with good people, but sometimes that isn’t enough. Eventually the challenge fades, boredom sets in, and it’s time to move on.

And so here I am, almost 37 years old, still trying to figure out my passion. I know I’m not unique in wanting to find the ideal career or a place to call home in this next chapter of my life, but what sets me apart – my competitive advantage – is that I am actually taking the leap. What I’ve found in sharing this adventure with others is that I am embarking on a trip that everyone talks about doing, but never does, either because it’s not the right time,  it’s too expensive, it’s too risky, etc. There are a lot of risks in dropping everything to go explore the world and I do not take for granted how truly blessed I am for the opportunities I’ve had in life that have led me to this place where I can leap.

This trip is very loosely planned for a reason, but I hope that you’ll follow along to see where I am and what I’m up to. And, if you’re able to take some time off and meet up with me along the way, definitely let me know (use the contact form). Enjoy and happy reading!