Here's my little dilemma..
After graduating from university I worked for 3 years as a business and tax consultant for a large multinational advisory firm. After the 3rd year and passing all my professional exams I was promoted to senior and was earning around $60,000 p.a. (probably around $45,000 take home) at age 24. Where I'm from this was considered to be one of the more respected and promising career paths.
However I wanted to shoot myself every day for those 3 years and waking up each morning to head to the office just felt like a big f**king waste of life. About 3 days after my promotion I just decided my life wasn't supposed to go like this, so I just said 'fuck this shit' and resigned. I had about $50,000 in savings (from living at home and saving aggressively during my working years). This was my adventure fund. 1 month later, just after turning 25, I flew to Argentina which was the start of a 2 year journey across South America, Asia and Africa. I had many good times. If I had to spend all that money all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.
But now, money is an issue. I'm coming to the end of my little adventure fund and am a little lost in choosing a new career path. I have no problem in working again, and taking a paycut to enter a new career path. I just know that if I head back to my old career I will most likely fall into a depression and shoot some people. Had I not quit my job 2 years ago I'm sure I'd be earning over $100k p.a. now. But to me spending every day holed up in a shitty office kissing arse just so you can travel during your annual 4 weeks of holidays is a no way to live, no matter how much you're earning.
I'm 27 now, and realize I need to put my suit and tie back on. As much fun as it is living out of airports and seeing new parts of the world every day, you can't do it forever. You need money.
I guess what I'm asking for is just some input from other guys here who have followed similar paths. I am very much learning towards moving to a third world country and doing a short gig at an international firm to get my feet set, and then gradually phase into my own venture. Moving back to the first world seems difficult now, it's hard go back to paying $3 for a bottle of water, I'm too used to getting them for $0.30. Where am I thinking? Africa is where most opportunities lie, in my opinion. I've spent about 6 months in East Africa, where they are stuck in the 60's - there is not even a McDonald's in East Africa yet. In fact, many educated people I met don't even know what McDonald's is. However, interestingly enough, they have fantastic cellphone and internet service (better than many first world countries I've been to) and quite a high quality of living in certain wealthy, developed neighbourhoods. I think Africa is where the big money is to be made for the coming generation. Also, every day is an adventure when you're living in Africa.
Did you quit a well paying career at a young age to travel/change career?
Did you eventually go back to your old career?
Do you regret it?
What are you doing now?
And for the older guys here, if you could go back to age 27, what would you do differently?
What do you wish you could tell you 27 year old self?
I'm sure there are many guys here who have followed so called 'unconventional' lives/careers after giving up on the corporate world. Roosh seems to be a prime example. I'd be really grateful for anyone else who cares to share their story and help me spark some ideas.
Thanks
After graduating from university I worked for 3 years as a business and tax consultant for a large multinational advisory firm. After the 3rd year and passing all my professional exams I was promoted to senior and was earning around $60,000 p.a. (probably around $45,000 take home) at age 24. Where I'm from this was considered to be one of the more respected and promising career paths.
However I wanted to shoot myself every day for those 3 years and waking up each morning to head to the office just felt like a big f**king waste of life. About 3 days after my promotion I just decided my life wasn't supposed to go like this, so I just said 'fuck this shit' and resigned. I had about $50,000 in savings (from living at home and saving aggressively during my working years). This was my adventure fund. 1 month later, just after turning 25, I flew to Argentina which was the start of a 2 year journey across South America, Asia and Africa. I had many good times. If I had to spend all that money all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.
But now, money is an issue. I'm coming to the end of my little adventure fund and am a little lost in choosing a new career path. I have no problem in working again, and taking a paycut to enter a new career path. I just know that if I head back to my old career I will most likely fall into a depression and shoot some people. Had I not quit my job 2 years ago I'm sure I'd be earning over $100k p.a. now. But to me spending every day holed up in a shitty office kissing arse just so you can travel during your annual 4 weeks of holidays is a no way to live, no matter how much you're earning.
I'm 27 now, and realize I need to put my suit and tie back on. As much fun as it is living out of airports and seeing new parts of the world every day, you can't do it forever. You need money.
I guess what I'm asking for is just some input from other guys here who have followed similar paths. I am very much learning towards moving to a third world country and doing a short gig at an international firm to get my feet set, and then gradually phase into my own venture. Moving back to the first world seems difficult now, it's hard go back to paying $3 for a bottle of water, I'm too used to getting them for $0.30. Where am I thinking? Africa is where most opportunities lie, in my opinion. I've spent about 6 months in East Africa, where they are stuck in the 60's - there is not even a McDonald's in East Africa yet. In fact, many educated people I met don't even know what McDonald's is. However, interestingly enough, they have fantastic cellphone and internet service (better than many first world countries I've been to) and quite a high quality of living in certain wealthy, developed neighbourhoods. I think Africa is where the big money is to be made for the coming generation. Also, every day is an adventure when you're living in Africa.
Did you quit a well paying career at a young age to travel/change career?
Did you eventually go back to your old career?
Do you regret it?
What are you doing now?
And for the older guys here, if you could go back to age 27, what would you do differently?
What do you wish you could tell you 27 year old self?
I'm sure there are many guys here who have followed so called 'unconventional' lives/careers after giving up on the corporate world. Roosh seems to be a prime example. I'd be really grateful for anyone else who cares to share their story and help me spark some ideas.
Thanks