Opportunity Cost

Well folks, I’m mostly packed for this crazy 6-month adventure. I’m excited but also keenly aware that I’m missing good stuff back here in the US.

The opportunity cost of this is the among highest I’ve ever paid. I will miss Daniel, my family, my friends, and my bunnies. I will miss out on fun experiences with all of them for the next 6 months.

The days before a vacation are always stressful as you try to fit in everything. I’m not going to Mars or anything but knowing it will be six months before I can do this stuff again is…weighty.

This part is really hard. I want to see all my peeps and still be able to spend quality time with my husband and bunnies. Also pack. And continue to build my coaching practice. And maybe sleep.

Time is always precious

Like many people, Randy Paush’s The Last Lecture stuck with me. If you have never seen it or read it, for the love of all that’s great in this world, please do so. He asks  “Are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have.” Poignant words words from a man who knew he had terminal cancer.

Only when we are pressed for time do we push aside time wasters to prioritize what’s really important. But here’s the real deal- WE ARE ALWAYS PRESSED FOR TIME.  I don’t mean we’re all super busy. I mean you have a limited number of days to spend doing what’s precious to you.

So where does that leave me?

I am taking away time from all of the people who are precious to me. The weight of that could be crushing (some moments, it is). But doing this one big thing is also precious to me. Pausche’s lecture is about spending time with loved ones but it’s also about achieving your childhood dreams. And this is mine.

The “childhood dream” element lessons the guilt but does not erase the reality of my choice.

Coping with Opportunity Cost

There is an opportunity cost for everything you choose. However, we only notice the cost-side of the equation when what we lose is also something we also wanted. Deciding between a day-old cold burger versus Five Guys hot-in-the-bag burger? No problem. Five Guys vs Smashburger is a bit more of a toss up. *Note to self: eat at Five Guys before leaving.

Trading Awesome for Awesome

In her memoir What I was Doing While You Were Breeding, Kristen Newman talks about being somewhat sad to fall in love and settle down. “Thank God I’m sad about changing my life. It means I’m trading awesome for awesome.”

In other words, difficult choices are a sign of multiple good options. If we only notice opportunity cost because there were two (or more) good choices, that means we had the luxury of two good choices. Lots of people are not so lucky. So make your choice, be happy about it, move on.

On that note, I board a plane to London in less than 48 hours. Eek!