Finding Reason

"The World is Yours"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would be lying if I said that I hadn't felt doubt about committing to some of the destinations I've visited. Financial 

uncertainty, crime, disease and poverty are all common factors that can hinder the will to travel. The more I travelled, especially as I began to travel alone, I realised that my fears were conceived out of nothing more than inexperience and ignorance.

 

I think, nowadays, the travel community is becoming so informed about the reality of cheap, safe, and effective travel that, literally, anywhere can be a destination. From Casablanca to Sydney, no adventure that you want to live is out of your hands; be you with a family, by yourself, man or woman. Don't let these fears, or a strict routine, stop you from travelling. Become the master of your fears and routine, and feel what it is like to really live! Below I've listed my responses to the three biggest challenges that face new travellers :) . 

 

"I just don't have the money" 

As you delve into 'Finding Reason', you'll learn about utilizing different techniques to save money while you're abroad. This blog has an emphasis on promoting cheap, yet effective and efficient forms of travel. Methods such as using Airbnb, public transport, and smart shopping, can save you immense amounts of cash. Your excess dollars can then be used to put towards longer travels! 

 

If you want to experience the benefits of travelling cheap, you'll have to realise that, almost always, there will be a trade off between costs, privacy and comfort. In saying that, there is a beautiful phenomena that occurs when you travel cheap. It's hard to describe the sentiment, but it usually revolves around meeting amazing people, and learning excellent information from them about the area you're in. Almost always, you'll pass that knowledge onto the next people who arrive in your dorm. It is such a modest and genuine process.

 

I backpacked across Jamaica for around a month, and spent roughly $1200 USD including flights. I did some incredible things with that budget, which included living with Rastafari families, and jamming reggae by starlight along the Swift River, up by the Blue Mountains. Despite what you'd think, travelling cheap is definitely a 'win-win' experience, and it is completely possible, regardless of whether or not you're solo, male or female. Learn how to use Airbnb, and practice making cheap budgets. Explore my blog, and use my knowledge. I beg you!

 

"It's too dangerous!" 

I think a fear of danger was the hardest for me to shake. I often scared myself, thinking about planes being gunned down over certain parts of the world, diseases, kidnappings and crime. It wasn't until I started traveling more that my somewhat inflated and media-inspired notions of the dangers of travelling started to become farcically discredited. My favourite saying, regarding security abroad, is pretty well-known, but it goes as follows; 

 

"Every single part of the world, be it advanced or developing, has dangerous areas - even in the places you feel comfortable and secure in. When you're in a new place, exercise caution. Study the area. Use your senses, and don't stay out late into the night when you're alone. Use common sense, and you'll be fine!"

 

Abiding by this quote gave me a realistic insight about the dangers of traveling. Be aware that there are people out there who would do harm to you, but it is very easy to avoid giving them the conditions to excell in. A good buddy of mine got robbed in Mexico because he walked away from the main street (drunk, in the middle of the night) and pissed in the wrong place. Another one of my friends got mugged in Amsterdam at three in the morning, while he was drunk and walking the streets alone. Both of these situations clearly exemplify the creation of scenarios that allow criminals to thrive in, anywhere in the world. Use common sense, and don't let alcohol impair your ability to accurately perceieve your surroundings.

 

Study the areas you are planning to visit. The internet is an excellent tool to help with researching safety guidelines for any travel destination in the world. There are very effective websites and mobile apps like Smartraveller, the US travel advisory and Safety Map Worldwide, which can help you keep up to date on safety information across the world.

 

In summary, while you're travelling the world, you are evidently more likely to experience danger related to situations you exacerbate, or ignorantly allow to happen, than you are from a random act of crime. Contrast your perceptions against reality. Weigh up your fears against the priceless and life changing rewards and atmospheres that are out there waiting for you. Yes, there are dangerous conditions in the world - but are they really more dangerous than the conditions we put ourselves through, like a poor diet or work stress? Most likely not, no matter where you go. It's perfectly intelligent to be aware of, and fear danger, but remember, the world is yours! Do not let an imaginary criminal steal it from you. 

 

"i don't have the time"  

I think Australian folk are among some of the luckiest people to be able to support travel habits. Our wages, work awards and leave policies are on par with some of the best in the world. With respect to this, a lot of people in Australia, and across the globe, still seem cautious about travelling because of time and job-related constraints. 

 

      Local Exploration

Although your home might seem utterly boring to you, keep in mind that other people may want to go there for one reason or another. You should get out and see the areas around you. While I'm saving money in Australia, I often go hiking in the national park by my house. You should use your weekends to get outta town. See the areas that are within driving distance. I was surprised with what I found in Namadgi National Park, in the Australian Capital Territory. Day tripping with friends can be a great way to see nearby areas. Although it might not be as rewarding as an international trip, you'll definitely get a unique kick from it. 

 

      Employment:

Travel teaches you first-hand about how the world works. You don't get taught about it by some manager who hasn't left his home city, nor from a book that was written by an academic who has never actually had practical experience. Aside from holidays sake, some people aren't aware of the fact that traveling has the potential to advance your attractiveness to employers of the newage. It would only take a strong degree of ignorance to deny that participation in rigorous travel can highlight a variety of universal skills, of which usually encircle the fields of communication, adaptivity, resourcefulness, objectiveness, independence, and flexibility.  As per the scientific and credible views of Colquitt, Lepine and Wesson (2012) , combined with my own experience travelling, I believe people who travel are far more likely to have better mechanisms in their mental process to deal with: 

 

  a) hindrance and challege stressors; and

  b) increasing independent motivation, when necessary; which has a direct inflence on

  c) fighting the mannifestation of organisational deviance and counterproductive activity. 

 

During my time studying management science at the University of Canberra, Kansas State University, and the University of Tennessee, it became blatantly obvious to me that traveling can teach the same abilities that employers seek to instil in their subordinates by means of boring, ineffective, and rigorous training. Not only do people develop the aforementioned skills quickly and efficiently when they travel, but individuals tap into them from a genuine source. The employers of our generation are becoming aware of the positive impact traveling can have on a persons personality and work ethic. I believe a self-centered passion for travel is something that should be emphasised on any resume. Since 2013, I've found it incredibly easy to sell my travel experience and ambition to employers . Tailor your experience. Practice selling it. Everybody has the ability to make traveling an investment to their future.

 

So, do you really not have time to travel? It evidently kickstarts and develops workplace skills, enrichens your personality and consistently teaches you about how people and the world function. Traveling is an investment in many fields of life, including your work. Your attitude should extended to it as so. 

     

 

 

 

 

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