Do you live to work or do you work to live? This is one question that each and every one of us should be asking ourselves. But what does it truly mean? During a recent social hour after training, I was speaking with a group of Travel Agents affiliated with KHM Travel Group about what is Important in life. One of the agents had just returned from Greece and witnessed a level of poverty most of us will never know. The agent went onto tell stories of a bankrupt company with over 25% unemployment. She told stories of mothers with their children in the streets trying to make ends meet. And she told stories of a country and people who were happy with what they had no matter what. What she was describing were people who no matter what their economic status was or situation they were in were happy and grateful for what they had. How many of us can say the same thing?
As most of you know, I am currently at KHM’s Boot Camp for Travel Agents. That probably means nothing to you as you have not idea what I am talking about. When I started Beyond the Blue Travel, I signed on with what is called a host agency. This is a company that has been part of the travel industry for years and has developed a working relationship with travel suppliers across the industry. This allows my fellow agents and I access to suppliers and resources to help plan the perfect vacation with you.
So back to what I was talking about before. I have a tendency to squirrel so stay with me. As we evaluate our life, where are we putting our focus? Is it work? Is it family? Is it our hobbies that we do alone? What are our priorities? As my conversation continued with these other agents, it became more and more clear that for most of us our work consumes us compared to other countries around the world. We tend to let life happen to us instead of living life. Now, I am not telling you that you need to go out and plan a vacation every other month, but if you want to, I know a guy! But take a look at your life and evaluate where you are spending your time. Are you over working yourself just so you can keep up with the Jones which in turn is taking time away from your family? Are you missing out on your children’s school activities trying to save for that shiny new car? I can attest that I have been guilty of both in one form or another over my life. While I never worked to keep up with anyone, because quit honestly it did not matter to me, I have and continue to over work myself to provide for my family. I have missed out on all sorts of family events, activities and memory making opportunities. Which brings me to this week.
After careful consideration and discussion with my wife a while back, we decide that if I was going to be the best advocate and agent for you, I needed to figure out me and what in the world I was doing. Having booked travel for years for myself and assisted family members with there vacations, I figured I had a good grasp of what was necessary. Wrong! I new just enough to get through it. Over the first two days of Boot Camp, we have covered everything from the basics to cruising. While all the information was great and the networking has been phenomenal, I have really started to develop an idea of what type of agent I want to be. I will tell you right now, my services as an agent will not give you a $500 savings over what you can find on the big internet guys, but it might. As your agent, I will save you time, provide experience, knowledge, and a network of resources to help plan the perfect vacation. Instead of spending hours and hours sifting though the internet for the right destination in the right location, you can sit back relax, and spend time with your family while I do the work for you. That, in my opinion, is far more valuable than any savings.
On a side note, I have been given a wonderful opportunity to be affiliated with a company that puts god first. I have also been given the opportunity to spend some time speaking with Rick Zimmerman the President and CEO of the company. In a very short period of time speaking with him, it was clear to me where his values were. He told me that when he started this company that he turned to God and said alright Lord this is yours, where are we going? It is clear he has put his faith in God when it comes to the business and it is reflected in his staff around him. It is truly an honor to work as an affiliate with this great company. I am excited to see where this leads me.
Well back to class, for Round 3 of Boot Camp.
Comments