When I was first entering young adulthood and starting to be able to make decisions for myself, I wanted to travel – but I didn’t prioritize it. Thus, in practice, my desire to travel internationally (or otherwise) was more theoretical than actual. I easily let the cost of travel deter me from actually doing it.

I have since put it at a higher priority level. Yes, I make more than I did then, and yes, I feel very fortunate that I get to travel, but the fact that I make it a priority allows it to happen. I could easily choose a more expensive car and home, and quickly no longer have the time and money to travel. Or, I could simply perceive my circumstances differently with no other changes and think ‘I can’t afford the time or money to travel’.

While I think travel is valuable to anyone, I certainly don’t think we all do or should value travel in the same way. But I do think it’s important to recognize that our life priorities involve choice, and it is easy to say ‘I don’t have time’ or ‘I can’t afford it.’ That may be true. But it also may be true that you choose to spend time elsewhere and choose to spend money elsewhere; honesty allows you to view your options and choose them purposefully.

I am forgetting the source, but I once heard someone talking about finances ask ‘if you could 10X the spending in one area of your life, what would it be?’ His underlying point was to consider spending money in areas of your life that make the biggest impact, and to cut back on areas that have less of an impact.

Where would you choose to 10X spending in your life?

Where would you choose to 10X time spend on an activity in your life?