Is the Job Worth the Price You're Paying

As a child, I remember the day my father bought my first bicycle. Every kid gets excited about that first taste of two-wheeled freedom, and I was no exception.

He gave me one rule: Don’t go too far. Stay within my eyesight. But I’ve always wanted to go beyond the boundaries to see just how far I could go. Predictably, I pushed it. I rode further than I was allowed, and as a result, I was grounded from my bike for a week. I remember the crushing disappointment and the agonizing wait to get back on it. Even though the desire to explore was still there, I felt the weight of a boundary I couldn't cross.

The Invisible Boundaries of Adulthood

Metaphorically, this is exactly what happens in our adult lives. We hit barriers that keep us limited and stuck—boundaries often set by others that prevent us from seeing what’s on the other side.

Arguably, this happens most often in the workplace.

You find yourself waking up every morning dreading the office, knowing deep down that you are paying a high "Geographic Tax" that your paycheck doesn't cover. Your salary might pay the bills, but it doesn't cover the cost of a life that extinguishes your spirit, sacrifices your happiness, and imprisons your authentic self.

The "Mismatched Visionary"

We stay stuck as "mismatched visionaries" because we fear change. We expend our precious energy trying to accomplish the impossible task of meeting everyone else’s expectations—expectations that are almost always out of alignment with the life we actually want to live.

I used to fear stepping out of my comfort zone, too. But eventually, the fear of not experiencing life became greater than the fear of change. There is No "Perfect Moment."  Time moves quickly. Most people don’t regret the risks they took; they regret the choices they didn’t make.

There will never be a perfect moment to live for yourself. If you are tired of:

• The toxic work environment

• The soul-crushing traffic jams

• The skyrocketing cost of living

• A social network you’ve outgrown

...then it is time to consider finding a new "home."

The world is an amazing place, and it is worth exploring—especially if your external environment conflicts with your inner tempo.

Stop paying a tax your spirit can't afford!