We take for granted sometimes the study of mathematics, I myself was a part of that statistic until my second run at college. Its function is not only limited to just numbers and patterns, but to teach the disciple problem-solving. In life, this skill can come in handy when having a flat tire, disputing conflicts, or even making advancements in technology. Problem-solving also plays a vital role in becoming a Perpetual Traveler or PT. As you progress down that path you will be challenged with a wide range of obstacles, forcing you to think on your feet. A model I use regularly to solve problems is what I call P.P.E.A.R. or PEAR for short. In this post we will talk briefly about how this system can too, be beneficial to your life.
The model goes as followed:
Planning
When wanting to pursue a life of constant mobility, a necessary step would be to plan in advance. A good way to do that, would be simply writing down a list of the things that are preventing you from being able to do so. It can be work, relationships, children, etc. By noticing these barriers (or traps as Harry Browne likes to call them) it immediately forces you to look inward at the problem and start to think up solutions. Because we tend to forget quite regularly, it would be best to have this list in a common area. By doing so the goal will be more likely to manifest.
Preparing
As you can see in the previous step noticing the problem(s) is very important. When preparing it is recommended to try and have everything before hand. Here we will start to obtain the skills, money, popularity (as in contacts) to achieve our goal. A skill I highly recommend having, is the ability to remain calm during stressful situations. That can be achieved through meditation, practicing self-control through various outlets or being a master of distractions. By having this in your arsenal, you will be one step ahead of the others in obtaining levelheadedness; which is a blessing in an of itself.
Executing
Once you feel well prepared you can move on to executing your plan. As you board that plane, train, or automobile pat yourself on the back, you have achieved what many others find impossible. A feeling of relief from what might have been a hellish experience is now merely a thing of the past. Although, keep in mind that for every action there are consequences. In other words, you now are responsible to make due to the lack of income, the hearts you have broken, and so forth. Time is very precious so use it wisely.
Adapt
Not always are you going to have a back up for every given scenario. As I mentioned above, the ability to remain calm comes in handy. Some things I didn't take into consideration were the volatility of currency values, the import regulations set by customs, and some additional research on local etiquette. By thinking on your feet and being open to change certain habits, you can avoid many undesirable outcomes.
Revise
Finally we come to realize not every plan we devise are the best for ourselves. But, they represented themselves as good ideas at the time. Mistakes are what teach us. Allowing room for improvement is what makes us masters. That's one thing you will never learn in traditional schools. By taking a leap of faith you were able to see what many were too afraid to do; and for some people, it can help you grow exponentially in wisdom.
If you are interested in seeing the beauty of this planet, it will require your effort and bravery to get there. Then and only then you will be grateful for taking that path and seeing what's on the other side of that mountain. I recommend for you, the reader, to read the book "How I Found Freedom In an Unfree World" by Harry Browne. It touches upon these traps that I mentioned earlier, as well as send you down a rabbit hole of wanting to gain the most out of life. We will dive deeper into the anatomy of the Perpetual Traveler in a future post. Until then my friends take care.