Greetings All,
As someone whose love for travel has grown recently, I have come to appreciate the transformative power of gaining new perspectives from it. Whether it's traveling for work or for leisure, every trip in the past 6 months has provided me with valuable insights that have influenced my personal and professional growth. In this post, I'd like to share some of these experiences and lessons with you.
Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Germany, France, and New York for work, and to Mexico and Texas for weddings. Each experience was unique in their respective way and taught me something different about the world we live in.
When I traveled to Germany and France, I was struck by the contrast in work cultures between Europe and North America. Germans are known for their efficiency and punctuality, while the French place a high value on leisure time and work-life balance (I currently work for a private French-owned company). These experiences made me reflect on the importance of finding a balance between work and play in my own life. I used to work for a publicly traded U.S. company and there is a stark contrast between my past and current employment experiences. I not only notice, but I feel the difference between the two. Shifting from a company motivated by maintaining/increasing shareholder value, which means aggressive quotas and deadlines, to a slower-paced work culture of a well-established private entity. And I genuinely appreciate these differences, because life is all about balance.
In New York, I was amazed by the diversity and energy of the city. The streets that never sleep and towering skyscrapers made me feel alive and reminded me of the limitless possibilities that exist in life. The pace at which people operate is on an entirely different level than what I’ve experienced in other cities. Everyone walks with a purpose and radiates a hustler’s mentality. The trip was a reminder that we are all capable of achieving great things if we are willing to put in the effort and take risks. It motivated me to continue stepping out of my comfort zone (like starting a newsletter) and being fully immersed into whatever I put my mind to. There is no telling where this newsletter will go, but I do know at my very core, that I enjoy sharing my personal insights and experiences with others.
Ahhh Mexico, what a special place. Traveling here for my sister's wedding was an unforgettable experience that reminded me of the importance of family and community. The wedding festivities were filled with love, laughter, and cultural traditions that made me appreciate the beauty of our differences. My family lives a couple states away, so I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like to. There is something extra special about traveling with family to a foreign destination after long stretches of time away from them.
Something I also noticed was how bright and hardworking the employees were at our resort. There was one employee in particular who I saw every single day during our 7-day stay. He not only made sure we were taken care of at all times, but struck genuine conversations with us. One funny moment was when he asked if we had seen the movie “Man on Fire”, and he thought my dad looked like Denzel Washington (which is mildly accurate). I want to express my sincere appreciation for the employees who worked tirelessly from very early in the morning until late at night. I witnessed his exceptional work ethic and dedication firsthand as he provided top-notch service at the pool in the morning, and then seamlessly transitioned to providing service at my sister's cocktail party for her wedding later that night. His positive attitude and unwavering commitment to ensuring guests’ satisfaction did not go unnoticed. Of course, he wasn’t the CEO of this hospitality business, but he sure worked like it. This is exactly how I want my clients to feel when working with me at my “9-5”. Solid takeaway there…
Austin, TX was a similar experience. It was a joyful celebration of love and friendship as I was able to watch a childhood buddy of mine get married, and connect with friends I hadn’t seen since middle and high school days. It was a reminder of the importance of surrounding ourselves with positive people who support us and encourage us to be the best version of our very being, even if we don’t physically see them every day. Not to mention, the Texas BBQ was absolutely unmatched. So, I had to take advantage of and explore the popular cuisine while I was there since San Diego is a non-competitor in that realm.
Every adventure has the potential to provide us with new perspectives that can influence our personal and professional growth. Whether it's discovering new cultures, meeting new people, or simply taking a break from our routines, travel has the power to transform our lives. Perspective is a powerful thing because it shapes our thoughts and beliefs, but sometimes it’s healthy to challenge our typical way of thinking. It can allow us to gain a more holistic view of certain things, small and large. Personally, I’ll take new experiences over new material items any day of the week, because to me, it’s hard to put a price on them. So, let's embrace and take advantage of the opportunities to explore and learn from the world around us. I promise you won’t regret it.
Thanks for reading.
‘Til next time,
Chase
Connect with me on Twitter @TheIronWealth