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How much does a year of happiness cost?
Lily Leung (exploreforayer.com) @lilyleung
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2009: I hate my job
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Monday: Is it Friday yet?
Wednesday: Hump Day!
Friday: Weekend!
Saturday: I wish everyday was Saturday
Sunday: Monday tomorrow :(
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What would make me happier?
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What would make me happier?
More vacation?
Less responsibilities?
More responsibilities?
New boss?
Different team?
Flexible work hours?
More interesting projects?
More money?
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None of the above?
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Later in 2009... a new job!
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Later in 2009... a new job!
Better title
Higher salary
Smarter boss
New things to learn!
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Things are great again!
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But... 3 months later...
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Monday: Is it Friday yet?
Friday: Weekend!
Sunday: Monday tomorrow :(
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Two choices:
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Two choices:
1. Make a drastic change
2. Same thing over and over
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...an exercise in lateral thinking
4 Hour Work Week (Tim Ferriss)
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How much does it cost?
Photography courses
Web courses
Travel to Europe, Asia, Central America
MBA, masters
Writing a book
And more...
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How much money do I have?
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Pursuing personal interests
$$ I can/willing to
spend
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One scenario...
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7 months in Toronto (remainder of apartment lease)
Summer of web design classes (certificate program)
1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend)
4 months of Southeast Asia (I’ve never been)______________________________________________________
One scenario...
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7 months in Toronto (remainder of apartment lease)
Summer of web design classes (certificate program)
1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend)
4 months of Southeast Asia (I’ve never been)______________________________________________________
Cost =
One scenario...
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7 months in Toronto (remainder of apartment lease)
Summer of web design classes (certificate program)
1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend)
4 months of Southeast Asia (I’ve never been)______________________________________________________
Cost = $25,000, one year Cost =
One scenario...
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One scenario...
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7 months in Toronto - $11,000 (rent, bills, living) (savings)
Summer of web design classes - $5,000 (RRSP/LLP)
1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend) - $1,500 (savings)
4 months of Southeast Asia - $7,500 (savings)______________________________________________________
One scenario...
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7 months in Toronto - $11,000 (rent, bills, living) (savings)
Summer of web design classes - $5,000 (RRSP/LLP)
1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend) - $1,500 (savings)
4 months of Southeast Asia - $7,500 (savings)______________________________________________________
One scenario...
~ $25,000, one year
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$25,000... is a lot of money!
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A large chunk of savings
Eats into a condo downpayment
$25,000... is a lot of money!
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But $25,000 is also...
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Less than I expected
A manageable amount
One year of freedom
$25,000 <<< $1 million
The price of a car
Not that much more than living in Toronto for a year
But $25,000 is also...
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Am I actually going to do this?!
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I’m scared.
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Fears, problems, challenges...
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I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)
Fears, problems, challenges...
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I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)
My boss won’t be happy (=> bad reference for next job)
Fears, problems, challenges...
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I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)
My boss won’t be happy (=> bad reference for next job)
Colleagues and peers will think I’m crazy
Fears, problems, challenges...
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I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)
My boss won’t be happy (=> bad reference for next job)
Colleagues and peers will think I’m crazy
Bad financial decision ($25,000 + opportunity cost)
Fears, problems, challenges...
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I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)
My boss won’t be happy (=> bad reference for next job)
Colleagues and peers will think I’m crazy
Bad financial decision ($25,000 + opportunity cost)
Being alone, lonely... the ugly duckling
Fears, problems, challenges...
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Now what?
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To be continued...
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Hint: There’s a happy ending