Just a couple of days ago, I let my manager know that May 11th will be my last day at work. And yesterday, I booked a one-way ticket to India for May 15th. It sort of felt surreal as I clicked the submit button to confirm the ticket purchase. It was followed by an immediate sense of relief. That relief lasted only a few seconds though as I went back to this (what seems like) never ending state of tussle between mind and heart.
I have always wanted to run my own business. Deep down I feel that I would be more successful and happy if I managed my own business. And off-late, my curiosity to learn new things has led me to this state of mind where I want to endlessly travel and explore the world. This desire to travel has only become stronger after my Mexico/Costa Rica trip last year and Canada trip last week. I’m currently taking Spanish lessons so I can travel through the length and breadth of South America. I want to explore Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and even the ocean beneath. And on top of all this, I want to explore India.
During my travels, I got this idea of starting a network of backpacking hostels in India. The great thing about this idea is that it combines my desires for business and travel. But there’s a slight challenge – I have to give up my highly successful and very well paying corporate career. My mind (the sensible side) wants me to continue with the corporate career at least for another few years. My heart (the crazy side) wants me to immediately start the hostel. Here are the arguments in favor of each side:
Corporate Career:
- Very successful career. If I continue in this path, I can definitely make it big.
- Relatively stable but limiting
- Great pay
- Parents will be happy
- Less risky
Business Career:
- Satisfaction of running own business, dream come true
- Travel more and explore the world, again personally very satisfying
- Highly risky, but potential for more success
- Uncertain future
- I will certainly be happy no matter the outcome. My parents might not be happy in the short term, but will turnaround in the medium to long term.
I can choose between these two paths. Or for the time being manage both paths simultaneously and delay the decision for another day. But then why wait until tomorrow to do something good if I can do it today?
Will I stick with the corporate career or follow my dreams and start a hostel? Oh well, time will tell.
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