A Private meeting with myself
So you’re telling me you’ve never had one of those!? I’ve had plenty and I still have them. So I am seating at my desk, one afternoon at work, drawing and writing down what I usually tell my clients to write to columns with what you want and don’t want. Two columns, one with a positive sign and one with a negative sign. The tittle said “why should I go traveling and why should I stay in my job?” I wasn’t bored at work but rather intrigued by the traveling. So much that when I brought the book I covered it with a yellow cover so that everybody would think I was reading the bible at and I wouldn’t get caught by my boss at work. The table looked something like this -
Why should I go travelling and why should I stay
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I deserve it
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It’s been my dream since I was a little girl to go to Japan
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The book fell on me
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I could stay at work, it will pay the bills
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English is not my first language but I speak like a native speaker
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I’ve never leaved with close family members for a long period since I was a kid
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I need to learn something different cultures…
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I don’t see myself progressing within this company.
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This company is showing that it will potentially be making cuts in a year or two
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I don’t know anyone in Japan
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I don’t speak the language
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I have accomplished everything I wanted to s far in this role
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My family wants me to be close to them
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When I had more Positives, then Negatives and realised the significant reasons for my traveling, everything became clearer. I just needed to anchor it and help my decision be a valid one. I also started thinking of what I would like to do when I get there. With my lack of degree was it even possible for me to work in a country like Japan for a year or two. I knew I was tired of training people in the UK who weren’t grateful of the skills I had to offer and I wanted people who would respect me more for being a trainer.
I remember I couldn’t afford the book “Work your way a round the world” it was around the £20 mark. So I decided to come back two-three evening a week after work and just do some reading from the book until I could get the information I needed. So Monday, Wednesdays and sometimes Fridays I had an appointment at the Southbank skirting around in the book shop under my favorite spot where the book fell. Obviously this was a temporary measure and eventually I ordered the book through amazon online.
Clarity and secrecy
as I continued reading I realised that teaching English to Japanese kids was a very apparent choice. However I discovered I could also volunteer in exchange of accommodation and food. This book had everything information on visa and where to get them or what to do . All sorts, I could n’t believe my eyes. However, what I decided to do this time is to tell no one about my new venture. Especially my close friends and family. I just couldn’t bear being discouraged once again. I kept it for about 6 months.
Me outside the Temple in Akihabara
You know that look you get, when you tell your friends about some exciting new venture or project you intend to do and the first look they give you is to declare yo insane or worse. So every time a friend asked me “what are you up to Mathy” I would gently say” nothing much you know me” and smile. As painful and heavy as this was I needed time and confirmation to be able to face my friends and tell them the truth.
The only way to affirm your decisions and choices is TIME. The more time you have to bask yourself in the decision. the more it becomes a reality and the stronger you will be, to overcome your opposition.
Opposition, Opposition, Opposition, Opposition!! Can I make it?
Stay tune for Action and Opposition
