One Month Later - It's all Figured Out

It has been one month since I have returned to the US and I don’t know if there is anybody that is still out that and checking this blog. Afterall, the adventure is over – I have returned from my month-long odyssey in Thailand and I am back doing what I know how to do – accounting. And blogging about accounting is certainly not nearly as exciting for me to write or for you to read, as blogging about backpacking throughout parts of South-East asia- site-seeing in Bangkok; seeing the Bridge over the River Kwai and petting tigers in Kanchanaburi; exploring Angkor Wat in Siem Reap Cambodia; cooking and chilling with the locals in Chiang Mai; motorbiking, riding elephants and relaxing in Pai; trekking and caving in Sappong; beaching in Phuket, boat rides around Ko Phi Phi; Diving in Ko Lanta; and climbing and kayaking at Railey Beach.

But, if you go back and read the entries I wrote prior to my departure, you know that I contemplated Thailand being a trial-run for a proper adventure – an adventure without time constraints or schedules; itineraries or reservations. And Thailand changed me. It has realigned my goals and what I want to accomplish from now until forever. Could I continue on with my current path? I suppose so – I could work my way through the accounting world one promotion at a time until I obtain partnership –– earning money and spending money on mortgage and car payments, finding happiness and love with a relationship, raising a family and putting kids through college – living the typical American path – the rat-race which requires earning money so you can spend it on things that you don’t need, and accomplishing nothing that really makes a difference in my career – simply providing a service that is required only in the capitalistic enterprise of money, investments, and corporate. I’ll audit your financial statements to provide assurance to your stakeholders that the money they invest in your corporation is going to come back to them in and then some. What does this accomplish? How does this make a difference? Where is the good?

Things that I have changed
1. Not Motivated by Money – I don’t need to be rich to be happy – in fact, I think the cost of getting rich (no free time due to constant salving away in an office) precludes happiness. What’s the point of being rich if you don’t have the time to enjoy it?

2. Lack of Materialistic Strive – Fancy cars, a big house, tons of electronic toys and gadgets, expensive clothes, a luxury apartment, a big TV, modern furniture, gold jewelry – I absolutely used to want all of this – but I think the only consumer goods that I really desire anymore are the ones that could fit in a backpack as I travel around the world (which, of course, still includes my IPOD :)

3. Desire to Make a Difference – The only problem with becoming a travel bum (well, besides figuring out a way to pay for it), is not really making a difference – sure, you can travel, see, experience, do – you can even volunteer – but you can’t do that without making money too. I want to find something that I am passionate about – something I love doing – and something that truly makes a difference – and something that I can get paid to do.

So over the past 4 weeks since I have returned, I have brainstormed ways to truly escape from the path that I am on – and not just temporarily, but permanently– Why don’t I just become a scuba instructor/dive-master and travel from reef to reef around the world earning just enough to sustain a budget lifestyle – and I have contemplated starting my own business that would allow travelers to write reviews and descriptions of their journeys, and ultimately create a detailed online guide to everywhere – that would make a profit through ad revenue and book sales to be contributed back to the authors in equal percentage to the quality and quantity of their contributions.

The problem with these options is the first could only be temporary – after several years of diving, I would eventually have to return to reality and then what? The second, while I still insist is a brilliant idea – is unfortunately, already being done by travellerspoint.com. Besides, despite my desire for more travel and adventure, I am a realist and quite honestly, I’m too smart and too educated to widdle my life away working the odd job only long enough to save money for travel, travel until the money runs out, wash, rinse, repeat.

Anyway, like they say – third time is the charm. I have figured it out. My third idea is best idea – that will help me accomplish all my of my life goals – both short and long-term. I now know exactly what I want to do with my life and how to get there. I have a plan on where I want to be and what I want to be doing next week, next month, next year and beyond. I know what I need to do to get there, and I have already taken the first several steps. Doesn’t it feel great to have it all figured out?

As it has always been planned, I am getting my MBA. However, what wasn’t exactly planned is what I wanted to study when obtaining my MBA, and what exactly I wanted to do as a career once I obtained said MBA. Now, I have figured that important piece out. I am getting my MBA concentrating in “Business and Sustainability” and “Environmental Economics. Sustainability defined - Sustainability is a characteristic of a process or state that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely. The term, in its environmental usage, refers to the potential longevity of vital human ecological support systems, such as the planet's climatic system, systems of agriculture, industry, forestry, and fisheries, and human communities in general and the various systems on which they depend in balance with the impacts of our unsustainable or sustainable design. Environmental Economics defined - theoretical or empirical studies of the economic effects of national or local environmental policies around the world [...]. Particular issues include the costs and benefits of alternative environmental policies to deal with air pollution, water quality, toxic substances, solid waste, and global warming.

Basically, I want to work with businesses to help solve the environmental issues that are facing our world; Reducing CO2 emissions, using alternative sources of energy, dealing with rising oceans, falling water tables, melting glaciers, destruction of habitats, extinction of species, and all the rest of that Al Gore mumbo-gumbo. Economic models need to change in order to properly factor in the environment and social costs of measuring the world’s production and waste. Accounting measures need to change to force companies to disclose their impact on the environmental through quantative measures. The tax structure needs to change to force people and especially corporations to reduce their environmental footprint and the world needs to work together now to correct our civilitions misgivings before more and more nations fail, cities are flooded, the o-zone layer is destroyed, electricity goes black, and food becomes scarce.

No, I’m not a tree-hugging crazy environmentalists – but the writing is on the wall and there is no doubt that there are many environment problems that need to be addressed now. People are now aware and action is beginning. The table is set and opportunity knocks. But from a personal standpoint, this is a career that I can get involved with to really make a difference in the world – while helping to protect the environment, nature, and wildlife that I grew up loving as a child – and still do – as evident by my adventures in Thailand being characterized by tigers, elephants, and sharks.

So, the plan is to start an MBA program full-time in the Fall of 2009, approximately 20 months from now, with the primary school under consideration being Schulich School of Business in Toronto, which ranks #3 for their Business and Sustainability Program on the list of top Sustainability Programs according to the Aspen Insitute’s 2005 Rankings entitled Beyond Gray Pinstripes.

So, What happens in the next 20 months? That’s easy – 8 months of work and 12 months of travel.