Keith’s Trip Goals

So when Nicole first mentioned this idea to me over 10 years ago, I wasn’t even sure it was something I wanted to do, but back then it was “just another idea”. As the years went on and she continued to discuss it and research it, I realized that this was something that was important to her. With the arrival of our children, I started to think about what a trip like this would mean to and for them. But until Nicole asked me to put together this post, I really didn’t think about what my goals were for the trip. I had come to KNOW it was something I wanted to do, but what really did I want to achieve. So after some time to ponder the question, here are my goals for our Round the World Trip:

• Family Time: No surprise here if you read the above paragraph, but since Nicole and I both work in a Corporate environment, we really don’t get to spend as much quality time with the kids. This is not just about our jobs, as we have been working for very good companies when it comes to family life, but rather the stress from the job and what we place on ourselves, that robs us of that time. So I am making it a priority to spend as much QUALITY time with my family.
• Experiences: When I went to college, I thought the stuff I learned in class was my reason for being there. Pretty soon after I left, I realized that it was the experiences I had while I was there from which I learned the most. Now, I recognize that those experiences were key in shaping the person I have become. While I do believe you never stop learning, the variety of experiences that open up through travel, just can’t be duplicated.
• Comfort (lack there of): For those that know me, I like having a good time with friends, but I can frequently be found in my shell of our home, often times playing a game or coding. On this trip, if I am going to achieve my goal of new experiences, I am going to have to break out of my comfort zone, which includes meeting new people, doing new things and trying new foods.
• Health: I work in Technology, which means I sit at a desk most of the day. I have tried the exercise roller coaster and not been able to stay on long enough. Additionally, I tend to stress eat. Most think I am good at dealing with stress, but it stems from allowing these indulgences. I also do not eat many fruits or vegetables, clearly not helping in this matter. The goal of this trip will be to get regular exercise by walking cities and sites, and trying to find new foods which can help me be healthier.