This past week was monumental from the perspective of realizing what changes I need to make in my life. I initially started “adventuring,” or “overlanding” (whatever it should be called these days…) because I was trying to get a break from my work life and just enjoy nature. As I got more into being outdoors, I realized I loved the challenge that technical four wheeling provides with crawling over obstacles and overcoming seemingly impossible problems. I also discovered that being outdoors and being involved in the Jeep world was becoming a passion of mine. They say if you find a job you love, you worn’t work a day in your life. While I think that’s not true, (I used to love my current job, and I certainly have “worked” numerous days in the last 14 years of my career.) I think it does give credence to the fact that life is too damn short to be miserable at work.
So, what does this mean? I have been doing the same job for 14 1/2 years, and I’m not humble enough to downplay that I am damn good at it. The added benefit is that my job makes decent money. Not crazy money, but decent enough that I certainly can afford to have Jeep, skiing, mountain biking, and eating good food addictions. However, my job doesn’t give me the satisfaction of being involved in the world of the outdoors. My job doesn’t allow me to be around Jeeps, cars, and the people involved in those hobbies on a daily basis. My job also entails a boss, a set work day, and a strict set of rules (complete with a uniform.) While being a first responder has given me a lot of satisfaction in helping others, it has also led to me missing a lot of moments with my family, not being home at night, and a healthy pessimism toward humanity at times.
I have been reading some good books, taking with good friends and family, and I have come to realize: sometimes you just need to take a scary big leap into the unknown and see what the hell happens. To boot- the leap doesn’t have to happen right away. Think about this: how crazy would it be to just quite a decent-paying job that you are good at it WITHOUT a solid plan? I’m not doing it! Good news is, I have a semi-solid plan that means I have to take a leap of faith, and rely on my skills to make a living. I want to be my own boss, I want to be around Jeeps, I want to be outside, and I want to be with my family. Wow- when you write it all down- that seems like an impossible combination. Kind of like being on a trail and staring at a sheer rock face, and wondering “can my Jeep/Toyota/Ford/Subaru/Whatever You Drive make it up?’ Who knows? You gotta go try.
I don’t think it’s a secret that I love cars and anything to do with cars. I constantly read reviews of new cars, press releases, and maintain a subscription to the most ancient form of car news: magazines. I have what my wife terms as “insane car knowledge.” What in the hell do I do with this weird, niche, and generally useless information in my head? It’s obvious! I am going to be a car-buying Concierge. My website, CarsWithElias.com, is going to allow people to schedule a personal consultation with me in which I will ask questions about what they want in their next car, what they don’t want in their next car, and what makes them tick. I will clarify if they want gas-powered, electric, hybrid, or a combination thereof. I will then conduct their new-car buying research for them, and present two or three great options for their next car!
Even if you think that’s an insane idea, you have to give me credit for something: I’m not sitting here trying to escape my professional life. Instead, I’m trying to change it into something that I’m passionate about. So, I urge you, my fellow humans, to do the same thing. Don’t just sit and wonder “what if?” Don’t think “I’m not good enough.” Do something, Even if it’s something that’s never been done before, and you think “people are not going to understand this!” So, come along with me on my journey and check out CarsWithElias.com, which is live and ready to help you pick out your next car, Jeep, or hovercraft.
Get Out There Colorado 