Shocker
For many, the new American Dream is to leave America.
From the political and economic climate to the availability of remote work, it’s beginning to make more sense to pivot than stick.
Of course, not everyone subscribes to this mindset.
Some love this country.
Some don’t see the need to leave.
Others fear venturing into “The Great Unknown.”
And, for a while, I was one of them.
Case and point
As a kid, I hardly wanted to leave my town, let alone my state.
And the idea of leaving the country didn’t even cross my mind.
It wasn’t until I read “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight during my first year of college that I experienced a significant shift in my mentality.
Knight wrote a paper during his final year at Stanford University, arguing that Japanese shoes could upset the largely German-dominated shoe market.
He eventually flew to Japan to make his dream a reality before making 17 international pitstops on his way home.
His world excursion included a short stop in Athens, where he gazed up at the Temple of Athena, noting the goddess was said to be the bringer of “Nike” (victory).
I think you know where I’m going with this.
Nine years later, when it came time to pick an official name for his shoe company, he chose the word that had lived in the recesses of his mind since leaving Greece: Nike.
Had Knight never left America, he may never have started Blue Ribbon (the first, “unofficial” name of his shoe business).
He may never have rebranded it to Nike.
And the phrase, “Just do it,” may never have graced the English language as the pillar of work ethic.
Reading this book changed things for me—
So much so that I’m now planning for life abroad.
Gathering insights about the world is a crucial part of my role in advertising.
So, I plan to keep moving (at least for now), experiencing different cultures, and grasping all this world has to offer.
Okay, wrap it up
Maybe living outside the U.S. is a step too far for you.
Maybe one trip to Japan is all you need to create the next Nike. Or Apple. Or [insert your dream].
Just do it.
I speak from a place of relative privilege—I know not everyone has the option to up and leave.
But if you do, I encourage you to take it.
Who knows…it may be the very thing that spurs you to change the world.