1. How much does a year of
happiness cost?
Lily Leung (exploreforayer.com) @lilyleung

2. 2009: I hate my job

3. Monday: Is it Friday yet?
Wednesday: Hump Day!
Friday: Weekend!
Saturday: I wish everyday was Saturday
Sunday: Monday tomorrow :(

4. What would make me happier?

5. What would make me happier?
More vacation?
Less responsibilities?
More responsibilities?
New boss?
Different team?
Flexible work hours?
More interesting projects?
More money?

6. None of the above?

7. Later in 2009... a new job!

8. Later in 2009... a new job!
Better title
Higher salary
Smarter boss
New things to learn!

9. Things are great again!

10. But... 3 months later...

11. Monday: Is it Friday yet?
Friday: Weekend!
Sunday: Monday tomorrow :(

12. Two choices:

13. Two choices:
1. Make a
drastic change
2. Same thing
over and over

14. ...an exercise in lateral thinking
4 Hour Work Week (Tim Ferriss)

15. How much does it cost?
Photography courses
Web courses
Travel to Europe, Asia, Central America
MBA, masters
Writing a book
And more...

16. How much money do I have?

17. Pursuing
personal
interests
$$ I can/
willing to
spend

18. One scenario...

19. 7 months in Toronto (remainder of apartment lease)
Summer of web design classes (certificate program)
1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend)
4 months of Southeast Asia (I’ve never been)
______________________________________________________
One scenario...

20. 7 months in Toronto (remainder of apartment lease)
Summer of web design classes (certificate program)
1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend)
4 months of Southeast Asia (I’ve never been)
______________________________________________________
Cost =
One scenario...

21. 7 months in Toronto (remainder of apartment lease)
Summer of web design classes (certificate program)
1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend)
4 months of Southeast Asia (I’ve never been)
______________________________________________________
Cost = $25,000, one yearCost =
One scenario...

22. One scenario...

23. 7 months in Toronto - $11,000 (rent, bills, living) (savings)
Summer of web design classes - $5,000 (RRSP/LLP)
1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend) - $1,500 (savings)
4 months of Southeast Asia - $7,500 (savings)
______________________________________________________
One scenario...

24. 7 months in Toronto - $11,000 (rent, bills, living) (savings)
Summer of web design classes - $5,000 (RRSP/LLP)
1 month in London, UK (visiting a friend) - $1,500 (savings)
4 months of Southeast Asia - $7,500 (savings)
______________________________________________________
One scenario...
~ $25,000, one year

25. $25,000... is a lot of money!

26. A large chunk of savings
Eats into a condo downpayment
$25,000... is a lot of money!

27. But $25,000 is also...

28. Less than I expected
A manageable amount
One year of freedom
$25,000 <<< $1 million
The price of a car
Not that much more than living in Toronto for a year
But $25,000 is also...

29. Am I actually going to do this?!

30. I’m scared.

31. Fears, problems, challenges...

32. I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)
Fears, problems, challenges...

33. I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)
My boss won’t be happy (=> bad reference for next job)
Fears, problems, challenges...

34. I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)
My boss won’t be happy (=> bad reference for next job)
Colleagues and peers will think I’m crazy
Fears, problems, challenges...

35. I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)
My boss won’t be happy (=> bad reference for next job)
Colleagues and peers will think I’m crazy
Bad financial decision ($25,000 + opportunity cost)
Fears, problems, challenges...

36. I’ll be unemployable (a gaping hole in my resume)
My boss won’t be happy (=> bad reference for next job)
Colleagues and peers will think I’m crazy
Bad financial decision ($25,000 + opportunity cost)
Being alone, lonely... the ugly duckling
Fears, problems, challenges...

37. Now what?

38. To be continued...

39. Hint: There’s a happy ending