Travel in Your Home Country will Establish a Baseline for Comparison Once You Get Abroad

In the scientific method, establishing a baseline using a control group is a critical step in conducting a successful experiment. If you’re unfamiliar with a control group, it’s the group in your experiment where you don’t introduce the independent variable you’re testing. The most well-known recent example of a control group was in the clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccines. In those trials, participants were either given the vaccine or a placebo. The group that received the placebo was the control group.

Traveling in your home country before setting off abroad establishes the same type of baseline. Without that baseline, you’ll have nothing to compare your adventures abroad to. Your experiences won’t be as authentic or as deep as they would be had you fully experienced your home country first before going abroad.

My adventures throughout the United States have taken me to some pretty amazing places over the years.

Traveling in Your Home Country will Open and Re-Open Your Mind

We’re all creatures of habit. There’s simply no denying that. We all have our routines that we like to follow every day, no matter how monotonous they may seem. Unfortunately it’s easy to become close-minded when all you do is follow the same routine every day. Furthermore, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of only exposing yourself to content and ideas you agree with. It can be difficult for a lot of people, but it’s really beneficial to at least hear what the other side has to say.

Getting out to travel and explore your home country will break that routine, regardless of whether or not you intend to go abroad. I strongly recommend that you travel beyond your home state or region. That will almost force you to open up to other regional cultures throughout your home country. See new sights. Try new foods. Listen to different types of music. The list goes on and on. Some you may agree with, and some you may not.

Opening your mind through travel in your home country is even more important in large diverse countries, such as the United States and Canada. For example, in the United States, which is my home country, you’ll have vastly different experiences in New England vs. the Deep South, the coast vs. the heartland, Alaska vs. Hawaii, and beyond. Is that still not enough to convince you? Getting out of your rut has been proven to boost your mental health, productivity, and efficiency. And domestic travel is one of the best ways to get out of your rut! What are you waiting for?

To fully open my own mind, it has been a long-time goal of mine to visit all 50 U.S. States and all 13 Canadian Provinces and territories. Furthermore, I intend to visit as many Mexican states as I can. Not only will this help me better understand my fellow Americans, it will also open my mind to our neighbors to both the north and south.

You’ll Expand Your Horizons Domestically and Gain a Better Perspective of Your Home Country

Travel allows you to better understand the issues facing fellow citizens in your home country. Even better, you’ll learn about issues that are affecting people across the aisle from you, whether that aisle is political, age, gender, race, or anything else. Because when we can better understand each other, we can better heal the rifts that divide us, as well as strengthen the bonds that unite us. This is especially true for large and diverse countries such as the United States and Canada.

Two Cross-Country Road Trips Across the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic are Eye-Opening

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in early 2020, it cut me off from the rest of my family on the other side of the country. The pandemic, plus the complete shitshow that Arizona turned into following the 2020 election pushed me over the edge, as I was receiving threats related to either the pandemic or the election pretty much any time I went out in public. As a result, I drove across the United States at the height of the winter COVID-19 wave in February, 2021 to re-unite with my family on the east coast.

Just a few of the hazards to deal with on my February, 2021 cross-country road trip

Without access to vaccines or much other protection from the pandemic, traveling in the bubble while trying to avoid all contact with the outside world was not particularly comfortable or pleasant. But I made it across without getting sick, and I’m really damn proud of that. Most importantly, that trip was absolutely eye-opening for how different parts of the country viewed the pandemic. The lessons I learned from that trip were heartbreaking. However, they ultimately gave me a much better appreciation for the issues that have bitterly divided the country, and I am eternally grateful for that.

What a Difference a Year Makes

Now fast-forward a year. Vaccines are widely available. But less than a week before I was set to leave to drive back across the country to sell my house, South Africa announced they discovered the omicron variant. On the second day of my road trip, the U.S. confirmed its first case of omicron in California. I vividly remember listening to Dr. Fauci’s press conference that afternoon as I drove across Iowa.

As omicron spiked to nearly four times the peak of the 2020 winter wave, I can only describe the feeling in the western US as eerily normal. I still don’t know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. But the big thing I noticed was that each side’s animosity towards the other side over COVID-19 restrictions was far less compared to just nine or ten months earlier. The bitter divisions were still clear as I made my way around the United States, but there was a sense of optimism everywhere that didn’t exist earlier in the pandemic. Even better, I was able to enjoy the first “fun” trip since my 2019 road across Mexico, the United States, and Canada. What a difference a year makes!

Scenes from my Winter 2021-2022 Cross Country Road Trip

Get a Fuller and Deeper Perspective of Your Home Country Once You Travel Abroad

As a result, once you go abroad, you’ll have a much deeper understanding and perspective of your home country. Between 2017 and the onset of the pandemic, I routinely traveled to Puerto Peñasco and Los Algodones, Mexico because I wanted to see how “the other side” viewed the border issues that became a central talking point of the Trump presidency.

Interestingly, what hit the hardest was not what the Mexicans thought about the border issues. Instead, it was how much visiting Mexico changed my perspective of the United States. Specifically, it opened my eyes to just how bitter and divided the U.S. had become. More importantly, I realized that I had become rather narrow-minded and needed to be more open and accepting of other views.

You don’t need to go far to realize this deeper perspective. The majority of my trips to Mexico brought me to Los Algodones, where I could make these comparisons less than a block and a half from the border.

You’ll Have a Deeper Connection to Culture and Customs Abroad

You can’t be a global citizen without understanding you own country. A global citizen is someone who is aware of the world and has a sense of their role in it. They are involved as members of the international community and are committed to building on this community in a meaningful and positive way. Becoming a global citizen will broaden your global perspective and allow you to bring fresh, new views back to your own community. As a global citizen, you’ll gain a deeper connection to culture and customs both at home and abroad.

When you travel in your home country, you’ll expose yourself to new culture and history. On my recent trip through the western United States, I not only traveled, but also experienced the entire length of the Oregon Trail. Being able to see the wagon ruts and walk in the exact same spot as so many westbound emigrants nearly 180 years ago transports you back in time. You realize the immense scale of the challenges and hardships these settlers had to endure on what was often a nine or ten month journey west, in a way that history textbooks simply cannot teach. These direct experiences in culture and history in your home country ultimately lead to a much richer experience abroad.

You’ll Learn New Things About Yourself

There’s no better way to learn new things about yourself than to step out of your comfort zone. Get out there and try new things. It will open your mind and you’ll be amazed at how many new things you’ll learn about yourself. Then, once you head abroad, you’ll be able to expand on those lessons and learn even more about yourself.

You’ll Support Local Economies

Here in the United States, greed is pretty much built into the corporate culture. Instead, I prefer to shop local when I travel. You’ll be supporting small businesses and mom and pop shops that can use the revenue a lot more than some mega corporation. Furthermore, your money will stay local and support the local economy instead of lining the pockets of some rich CEO in a big city that’s a long way from where you happen to be. As a small business owner, I encourage you to shop small and shop local. Your local economy will thank you.

Conclusion

Traveling abroad is one of life’s richest experiences. You’ll immerse yourself in new cultures and customs, push yourself beyond your comfort zone, as well as learn an incredible amount about yourself, your home country, as well as the destinations to which you’re traveling.

However, in order to get the fullest experience abroad, you must travel and experience your home country first. Without experiencing your own country first, you won’t have that baseline to compare your adventures abroad. And as a result, you’d miss out on one of the primary reasons we travel in the first place.

Top Photo: Rafting the Colorado River
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona – June, 2015

The post 5 Reasons You Need to Travel Your Home Country Before Setting Off Abroad appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

Regardless of where you are on the “taking back my life” spectrum, I want to introduce you to the Fuck-It Bucket. When used correctly, it will completely change your life, giving you back control to do what you want. And it can be had for less than $10.

The original Fuck-It Bucket was born from a David Sedaris story. In the story, his brother fills a bucket with candy. When life got him down, he just said “Fuck It” and had a piece of candy. Unfortunately, in today’s age, we can’t cure the stress, struggles, and other bullshit we deal with on a daily basis with a piece of candy. Instead of having a piece of candy, you’re going to use your bucket to live you some life.

What is the Fuck-It Bucket?

The Fuck-It Bucket is a no-nonsense, stress-relieving framework that cuts through all the bullshit in life. Revolutionize your world, improve your future, and enhance your existence. It’s what you get when you cross “Shit Happens” with “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. All I can say is that it has gotten me through the darkest and toughest of times, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.

The bucket is an outlet to vent your frustration, toss aside your regrets, and heal your heartbreak. It’s also the motivation you need to say “Yes” to all those things you have been wanting to, but kept coming up with excuses as to why you couldn’t. Perhaps you were too scared. Maybe you didn’t have the funding. Or you were just too tied down to your job. Whatever the reason was, something was holding you back. Let the bucket help you break through those barriers.

Most importantly, though, the Fuck-It Bucket is your ticket to living your best life, the way you want. And it’s so simple to use.

1. Whether it’s regret, excuses, stress, or anything else that’s getting you down, write it down on a piece of scrap paper.
2. Crumple up the piece of paper.
3. Shout “Fuck It” at the top of your lungs and toss the paper in the bucket.
4. Go kick ass at life.

It can be scary at first, but trust me. You’ll do amazing things once you adopt the bucket’s philosophy. It has led me to all corners of North America and given me the freedom of being my own boss.

Where Did I Get the Idea for the Fuck-It Bucket?

As someone who graduated into the teeth of the Great Recession, I had struggled for years to find full-time employment. It ultimately led me into the world of independent contracting in 2013, and then to formally starting my own business in 2016. In 2017, I finally got my big break when I signed on to work basically full-time hours doing web development and GIS work. Or so I thought.

Less than 4 months into this new job, the company decided to stop paying me, and didn’t tell me. Once I discovered that my paychecks were missing, they kept telling me they would pay me “next week”. Several months later, which was way more leeway than I should have given them, I finally informed them I would no longer work for free. I tried to sue them for the unpaid wages, but at the end of the day, the lawyers informed me that the company had defaulted on over $1 million of business loans and the CEO had fled the country. It was staggeringly simple. You can’t squeeze blood from a stone. I wouldn’t be getting a dime from them. That was my reward for sticking it out and trying to help them get through the hard times.

Back to Square One

Just like that, I was right back to square one. Only this time in a much more desperate situation. Because I was working nearly full-time for them, I didn’t pursue any other work. Now, I hadn’t been paid in close to 6 months, and had no leads on any new work. As the weeks looking for work turned into months, my frustration boiled over.

Later that day, I heard a Kenny Chesney song come on the radio. In that moment, it just spoke to me. I knew it needed to become part of my life, but I didn’t know how to integrate it.

Then I discovered the Fuck-It Bucket.

A New Philosophy on Life

The Kenny Chesney song and the Fuck-It Bucket were a match made in heaven. At the exact instance that match was made, my whole life perspective changed. I realized that life is too short to work for shitty bosses. It’s my life, and I should call the shots in it. It’s time to take back control. And once I had that control back, things started to turn around really quickly. I landed a new contract, brought in record revenue in 2019, and dug myself out of that financial hole. Life was finally good!

I made a bucket list, changed the B to an F
I gave my give a damn the finger, so it got up and left
I quit worrying about people’s expectations
And ordered up a six pack of chillaxification.
If you’re a little depressed, and a little bit lost
Maybe write it all down, and then blow it all off
We’re all a letter away from perpetual bliss
Put an F on the B of your bucket list

Kenny Chesney, “Bucket”
This quote is displayed proudly on the side of my Fuck-It Bucket.

Change Your Life Philosophy

Are you stuck working a shitty job, fed up with COVID isolation, or has something else got you down? Let the bucket help you make the changes you want to live the life you envision. Kick those heartaches and regrets to the curb. Go make your dreams a reality. If you’re not gonna do it now, when are you?

Make Your Own Fuck-It Bucket

The first step to your new life philosophy is to make your own bucket.

1. Go down to your local hardware store and buy a bucket. You can buy whatever sized bucket you want, but these 2-gallon buckets from Home Depot were the perfect size for me.
2. Write or paint “Fuck It” in huge letters on the side of the bucket.
3. Decorate the bucket to match your personality and your dreams. Use inspirational quotes, memes, art, or whatever else shows your personality.
4. Use it!
5. Show it off to your family and friends.

Use the Fuck-It Bucket and Live Your Best Life

When you start using the bucket, you’ll discover that there are two ways to use it. And you should use both of them. Often.

The Reactive Fuck-It Bucket

Get rid of disappointment, regrets, and heartache. Kick your stresses, frustrations, and shame to the curb. Regardless if you have a shitty boss, just went through a bad breakup, or are dealing with any other bullshit in your life, dump all your negative thoughts into the bucket. Purge your worries and give yourself a fresh start. The past is over. You can’t change it.

Hakuna Matata

It literally means “there are no worries” in Swahili

The Proactive Fuck-It Bucket

The proactive version of the Fuck-It Bucket allows you to use the bucket to live the hell out of life. Instead of being stuck in the rat race, give yourself the excuse to chase your dreams, embark on adventures, and achieve greatness.

1. Running a little short on funds for that once-in-a-lifetime trip? Fuck it, go anyway. That’s what they invented credit cards for.
2. Boss wants you to attend a meaningless work function to schmooze on a Friday night? Fuck it, that’s a big fat no.
3. Doubters in your life think you’ll fail at your dream endeavor? Fuck it, go prove them wrong.

Don’t Fear Failure

Toss it in the bucket instead! Do you know what happens if you try something and fail? You’re right back to where you started, but now you’ve learned a valuable lesson. That’s the worst thing that can happen. You will be better off for failing. Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, J.K. Rowling, and Elon Musk all have one thing in common. They all failed multiple times before becoming the successful household names you know today.

Mai Bpen Rai (ไม่เป็นไร)

“No problem, don’t worry, it’s okay” in Thai. And it’s not just an expression. It’s part of the Thai lifestyle.

Hakuna Matata: The Bucket Became an Invaluable Asset During the COVID-19 Pandemic

There is nothing more deflating than working for a company that refuses to pay you. When it happened to me, I literally could not afford to do anything except cover the essential living expenses, plus a once-a-week trip to the grocery store. The rest of the time I was stuck at home until I landed my new contract in late 2018.

After about a year of record revenues and getting a taste of the good life in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Just when I thought I had pulled myself out of the hole, we were sent right back into lockdown. To make matters worse, Arizona then became roiled in a spectacular political shitstorm as the 2020 election approached. Even more than a year after the election, that shitstorm is still going stronger than ever. While I could deal with the masking and distancing restrictions, having to deal with death threats and people pointing guns at you whenever you go out in public is where I draw the line.

I Turned the COVID-19 Pandemic into a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

Instead of wallowing in all the doom and gloom, I tossed all that bad news in the Fuck-It Bucket and chose to use the pandemic as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not only had the pandemic exposed gaping holes in my business model and life philosophy, but the shutdowns gave me the opportunity to take a mulligan and fix them. And where did those failures go? Right in the Fuck-It Bucket, of course.

So what exactly am I doing to take advantage of this opportunity?

• Invest in yourself. I learned new skills (hello, marketing), re-evaluated my goals and values, and made a plan for what I want my post-pandemic life to look like.
• Commit to constantly learning. No matter what skill you’re learning, it will benefit you in the long run. And if you run into any doubts, toss them in the bucket.
• Make a new bucket list. As a result, I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds.
• Diversify your income. It’s much more stable to have 10 clients pay you $1,000 per month than 1 client paying you $10,000 per month.
• Revise the business’ services to align with things I enjoy doing. There were a few things in the product catalog that I hated doing. I tossed them in the bucket and replaced them with things I’m much more passionate about.

I Said Fuck-It, I’m Gonna Go Realize My Dream of Traveling the World

After a year and a half of COVID restrictions, culture wars, and political shitstorms, I was exhausted, burnt out, and just couldn’t handle the stress anymore. So with the help of the Fuck-It Bucket, I made the boldest move I could make. I consider myself a global citizen, and it has long been my dream to go see the world. Over 5 years of stress, heartache, struggles, and regrets went right into the bucket. It was so liberating, so cleansing, and so relieving. Especially when the words came out of my mouth.

Fuck it! I’ve had enough of this bullshit. I’m gonna sell my house and go travel the world to expand my own horizons, become a better global citizen, and realize my dreams.

Into the bucket it went, and off on the adventure-of-a-lifetime I go. While I will likely be limited to North America for at least the first year of this adventure, there is still much of it I haven’t seen. I’ll be documenting the entire journey on this blog, my new YouTube channel, and on the Matt Gove Photo website. Stay tuned for further details this winter. And don’t worry. The exceptional service from Matthew Gove Web Development that you’ve grown accustomed to over the years will be better than ever.

Your Next Move

Now that you have all the information, it’s time for you to decide how to use your Fuck-It Bucket to live your best life. The haters and doubters will always be there. Put them in the bucket and don’t listen to them. Same goes for your fears. Don’t let them stand in the way of realizing your dreams.

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

Dr. Seuss

Take a chance. Be Bold. Imagine a life where you can’t wait to get out of bed every morning. And remember, if you fail, you’ll be no worse off. In fact, quite the contrary, you will have learned an important lesson that will set you up for success in the future.

I’ll leave you with one final thought for the bucket. When you reach the end and look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be remembered as an average Joe who endlessly ran the hamster wheel in the rat race? Or do you want to be someone who made a meaningful, positive impact that changed the world?

I know which one I want. What’s in your bucket? Where will you find your adventure of a lifetime?

Top Photo: The Azure Waters of the Sea of Cortez Sparkle Behind the Palm Trees at El Malecón
Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico – August, 2019

The post The Fuck-It Bucket: How to Live Your Best Life and Realize Your Dreams appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

Over the years, Yogi Berra also became well-known for his malapropisms and witticisms. These “Yogi-isms” offer not just humor, but also powerful wisdom and direct truth. Some of his most famous Yogi-isms include “it’s déjà vu all over again“, “you can observe a lot by watching“, and “a nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.”

I didn’t realize just how powerful these Yogi-isms were until I started to directly apply them to my life to inspire everything from my hobbies to my life philosophies to my career. Here are my ten favorite Yogi-isms, which I hope you can use for inspiration and motivation in your life, too.

“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

One of my favorite inspirational quotes, this Yogi-ism is my go-to philosophy for travel. I love to discover and explore new places. Don’t be afraid to go down unknown paths for purposes of exploration. You never know what you’ll find. Some of the best photos I’ve ever taken were shot in places where I ventured off the beaten path and explored places I didn’t even know existed when I planned the trip.

Interestingly, the more I applied this philosophy to my travels and photography, the more I realized how well it applied to life in general. We all come to crossroads in life. Don’t be afraid to take a chance and try new things. You never know the amazing places it might take you. Inspirational quotes can only get you so far. As Michael Jordan once said, “You always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Give it a shot. If it doesn’t work out, the safer prong of that fork in the road will always be there for you to fall back on.

“If you don’t know where you’re going, you might wind up someplace else.”

I don’t think you can sum up the COVID-19 situation in the United States any better than this Yogi Berra quote. The US response to the pandemic has been fractured and fragmented from the get-go, which has resulted in the US being one of the hardest hit countries in the world, despite the incredible medical technologies we have right at our fingertips. Even today, anything that resembles a plan for ending the pandemic varies wildly, depending where in the US you are.

At the beginning of the summer, COVID-19 cases in the United States dropped to their lowest levels since the onset of the pandemic in March, 2020. Everyone assumed the pandemic was over, so the US lifted all of its COVID-19 restrictions without a worry in the world…or any kind of contingency plan should the virus re-emerge. Then the Delta variant hit, and at the snap of a finger, it set the pandemic response back by a year. The US certainly didn’t know where it was going at the beginning of the summer, and we’re now paying a big price and winding up somewhere else.

Which is a perfect segue into our next Yogi-ism…

“Make a game plan and stick to it. Unless it’s not working.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a cruel reminder for a lot of people that we need to be flexible and adaptable in our daily lives. A year and a half after our lives were upended in an instant, many of us are still stuck in the pandemic limbo. We all want our 2019 lives back, yet at the same time, we want to embrace the positive changes that have emerged from the pandemic and embrace new opportunities going forward.

The pandemic laid bare some pretty serious flaws in my business model, my values, and my life philosophy. Instead of drowning in all of the negativity surrounding the pandemic, I decided to use the COVID-19 lockdowns as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to set my future up the way I want it to be. I realized what was most important to me and revised my business model to give me more time to start checking items off my bucket list and realizing my dreams. At the same time, it both stabilizes and boosts my income. As a result, I have never been more excited to realize the incredible potential that the future holds, despite the hell we’ve all been through over the past 18 months.

At the end of the day, you should always be looking for ways you can improve both your skillset as well as yourself as a person. You’re in control of your own reactions. What will you do in the face of adversity and challenge?

“If you don’t set goals, you can’t regret not reaching them. Or like they say in golf, if you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time.”

I can’t emphasize the importance of setting SMART goals. In case you’ve forgotted, SMART stands for:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound

Breaking large goals into small, manageable tasks lets you feel a sense of accomplishment, progress, and purpose. When you climb a mountain, you don’t try to climb it in one big step. You keep putting one foot in front of the other until you reach the summit. Small, manageable goals let you easily track your progress and quickly resolve any problems you may encounter along the way.

“I knew I was going to take the wrong train, so I left early.”

It’s not the most inspirational of quotes, but it’s solid life advice. Have you ever had an important meeting or appointment in an unfamiliar location? You’re constantly going over the directions for how to get there in your head, trying to figure out when you need to leave in order to get there on time.

When in doubt, leave early to ensure you arrive on time. Yes, it looks bad to arrive late, and arriving too early can make you look desperate. But just remember, you can always find a nearby park or coffee shop to hang out at while you wait for your appointment. It’s much less stressful to just walk down the street from that park or coffee shop than rushing around trying to find a place to park or wondering if you got on the correct train.

“Losing is a learning experience. It teaches you humility. It teaches you to work harder. It’s also a powerful motivator.”

It always sounds weird to say, but failure is our best teacher. We should be embracing failure and learning from it, not fearing it. Some of the most successful people initially failed, but then learned from their mistakes. I needn’t remind you that Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, Albert Einstein’s teachers thought he was mentally handicapped, and Steve Jobs was once fired by Apple.

“It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”

I don’t know about you, but I seem to need constant reminders to live in the present. It’s second nature to plan for future success, but far too often we get caught up in the future and forget about the present. This is another Yogi-ism that doesn’t seem like the most inspirational of quotes at face value, but it’s incredibly powerful when put into context. While it is important to plan for the future, we mustn’t lose sight of the present. Live for today today, and worry about tomorrow tomorrow.

“Laughter is the shock absorber that eases the blows of life.”

As someone who loves to laugh, I could write a whole post of inspirational quotes about how important it is to laugh. As the old adage says, laughter is the best medicine. Laughter is medically proven to be one of the best stress relievers. Legend has it that the Three Stooges would actually have a daily laugh, where they would just sit down together and just laugh for three to five minutes every day.

“If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.”

Jimmy Buffett

But we can take the meaning of this Yogi-ism even deeper. The true therapeutics of laughter go far beyond just laughing. We must be able to laugh at ourselves when we do something stupid or when things go awry. Sure, there are always scenarios that are not funny at all, but more often than not, try to laugh at yourself when disaster strikes. Not only does it make you instantly feel better, but you’ll find that you can address the problem with much better reasoning and logic than if I was angry and frustrated. As a result, you’ll be able to resolve the problem and get back on track much quicker.

“It ain’t over till it’s over.”

As manager of the New York Mets, Berra said this in July, 1973. At the time, the Mets trailed the Chicago Cubs by 9.5 games in the National League East. Later that season, the Mets rallied to pass the Cubs and win both the division and the National League Pennant to reach the World Series. Even though the Mets ultimately lost the World Series to the Oakland Athletics in 7 games, this saying became of Berra’s most famous Yogi-isms. I still hear it routinely used today.

No matter how bleak things look, never, ever, ever give up. You never know when that one break will come that finally turns everything around. And if you do give up, just remember this. You always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

“Always go to other people’s funerals. Otherwise they won’t come to yours.”

Here in the United States, we live in an increasingly materialistic society. In turn, consumerism and the rat race has made us an incredibly selfish society. Modern technologies such as social media have only further compounded the problem. That’s just one reason in a very long list of reasons why I wholeheartedly reject the rat race and despise social media.

Always give before you receive. You may remember this lesson from your childhood when you went Christmas shopping. And don’t ever expect to receive, especially without giving first. That just makes you look selfish and entitled. If we all gave a little more and expected a little less, the world would be a much better place.

Conclusion

Yogi Berra’s quotes are just as powerful as they are inspirational. With a little wit and humor, Yogi-isms are short, to-the-point, and most importantly, easy to remember. When you hit a rut or are in need of a little motivation or inspiration, don’t hesitate to pull out a Yogi-ism to get back on track. Yogi-isms have certainly had a profound impact on my views and philosophies. How have they inspired you?

Top Photo: The Black River Cascades over Rocks in Queen Elizabeth II Provincial Park
Washago, Ontario, Canada – August, 2019

The post 10 Inspirational Yogi Berra Quotes to Motivate Your Life appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

Over time, I found these quotes were shaping more and more of my values and philosophies. Influences expanded far beyond the sports world to include musicians, artists, and leaders from all over the world. I’ve decided to start posting collections of these influential and inspirational quotes so you can get to know me a little better and hopefully find some inspiration yourself.

First up is someone who made a profound mark on me since the first time I watched his show. Tragically taken from us in 2018, Anthony Bourdain was a true gift to this world. Whenever I finish watching an episode of Parts Unknown, I want to do nothing more than get out, explore the world, and experience new cultures. You can find many of Anthony Bourdain’s influences in my photography mission and story. Here are 15 of Bourdain’s quotes that have had the greatest impact on me as a travel landscape photographer.

“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life – and travel – leaves marks on you.”

Go back a little more than 10 years and I hated traveling. I had the completely wrong attitude towards it, seeing it as a chore instead of an experience. It was simply a way to get from Point A to Point B.

Storm chasing quickly changed that equation. It literally forces you to travel for an experience. It hooked me after I moved to Arizona and took my first solo adventure outside of the United States. I had traveled abroad before, but never alone.

Walking across the border from the US into Mexico is a unique experience. There are no customs checkpoints. You simply walk through a turnstile gate like you were walking into a stadium. Only this time when you come out the other side, you’re in a different country.

You step out on the street and your senses are instantly hit with foreign sights, smells, and sounds. At times, it’s almost a carnival-like atmosphere. My favorite part is the smell of street tacos that wafts through the air. When that smell hits you, you know you’re gonna be eating good that day.

Sensory overload is such an alluring feeling to me. It’s exotic and almost addicting, regardless of what country you’re visiting. Talk to the street vendors. Listen to their stories. Most importantly, buy something from them. You’ll have a trinket to remember the experience, and will help them support their families. Every time I visit Mexico, I leave the US Customs hall on my return trip already planning my next visit.

“The journey is part of the experience – an expression of the seriousness of one’s intent. One doesn’t take the A train to Mecca.”

This is just good life advice for anyone. Don’t focus on the start or the end points. Enjoy the ride getting there. You only get one shot at this crazy game of life. Why not make the most of it?

“Looking at these photographs, I know that I will never understand the world I live in or fully know the places I’ve been. I’ve learned for sure only what I don’t know – and how much I have to learn.”

As a photographer, all I can say is why tell you when I can just show you?

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”

This quote really hits home after driving across the United States near the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in February, 2021. I got snowed in for 2 weeks in close to 40 below wind chills in Oklahoma. Then spent the night camped out in my truck on the side of a mountain in Kentucky in the middle of an ice storm. The lessons from that trip are heartbreaking.

Interestingly, seeing firsthand the pain that a year of pandemic, disinformation, and bitter divisiveness had wrought on this country left its mark in the most unexpectedly positive way. It’s time to bring good back to the world. After taking time to reflect and figure out what my true dreams are, the trip solidified my values as a global citizen. It finally allowed me to fully define my mission and goals for both Matthew Gove Web Development and Matt Gove Photo.

You only get one legacy. What’s yours going to be?

“Big stuff and little: learning how to order breakfast in a country where I don’t speak the language and haven’t been before – that’s really satisfying to me. I like that.”

On my first overnight trip to Puerto Peñasco, I found myself unable to find the breakfast hall at the hotel I was staying at. It was about 6:30 in the morning, and at the time, I spoke very little Spanish. I looked around for hotel staff to ask, but at that hour of the morning, they were few and far between.

I eventually found one of the housekeepers, and asked her. She shrugged her shoulders and pointed at her ear, a telltale sign me she didn’t understand English. Time to think quick to see if I could come up with my questions in Spanish.

With the tiny bit of Spanish I knew at the time and a big assist from my fluency in French, I was able to come up with “¿Donde esta el desayuno?” as well as “¿A que hora esta abierto?“. She led me right to the breakfast hall, where I enjoyed a delicious breakfast of eggs and chorizo. I was so proud of myself.

It remains my goal to become fluent in Spanish. My Spanish skills have come a long way since that day, but I still have a ways to go before I reach full fluency.

“Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.”

They say that you always find the best hidden gems in the places that you least expect them. In 2012, a buddy and I took a road trip through the southwest. I was living in Oklahoma at the time, and it was my first time seeing the southwest.

Towards the end of the trip, we drove across southeastern Utah from Capitol Reef National Park to the Four Corners. As breathtakingly beautiful as the scenery was, it was also eerily remote. We drove over 150 miles. Other than the road, we saw no evidence of any civilization. No buildings, no parks, no rest areas, no cell service, nothing. Shortly after dusk, we rolled into Blanding, Utah, a small town near the Four Corners, and checked into one of the only hotels in town.

After checking into the hotel, the clerk informed us that they had a deal with a barbecue restaurant next door so people staying at the hotel could get a discount on food. Since I am a big fan of barbecue, it was no-brainer where to go for dinner. And boy did it not disappoint. To this day, it remains some of the best barbecue I’ve ever had.

We actually liked it so much we went back in the morning and had steaks for breakfast.

“You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.”

One of my favorite things about eating street food on my trips to Mexico is the people you meet. From the workers prepping your food to other patrons eating with you, it seems there’s always someone interesting to talk to.

Being a global citizen means getting involved as members of the international community and committing yourself to building on this community in a meaningful and positive way. I fondly remember a conversation with a candy vendor as we both ate lunch on the back deck of a waterfront seafood restaurant in Puerto Peñasco. It was a sweltering August afternoon, so everyone else sat inside in the air conditioning. Like most conversations with the locals down there, it was half in English and half in Spanish. It’s part of the unique charm I love about adventuring south of the border.

Open yourself up. Listen to their story. Try to understand where they’re coming from. And tell yours. You’ll be a better person, and the world will be a better place when we can better understand each other.

“I’ve seen zero evidence of any nation on Earth other than Mexico even remotely having the slightest clue what Mexican food is about or even come close to reproducing it. It is probably the most misunderstood country and cuisine on Earth.”

I thought I knew what Mexican food was. Then I started traveling to Mexico. Since then, pretty much every Mexican restaurant I’ve eaten at outside of Mexico just isn’t the same. There are certainly exceptions to that rule, but I found almost all of those eateries in either Texas or Arizona. Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food are two very different things.

“I don’t have to agree with you to like you or respect you.”

In today’s world of disinformation, it doesn’t take much. Present your view and back it up with facts and sensible logic, and you’ll get my respect. Regardless of whether or not I agree with you.

“I am not afraid to look like an idiot.”

People’s obsession with what others think of them has baffled and bewildered me for decades. Sure, we all want to look good. But if it takes looking like an idiot to be comfortable or have a good time, so be it.

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”

Immerse yourself in new experiences and new cultures. Become a member of a community, and commit to build on that community in a meaningful and positive way. Broaden your perspective through travel and bring back fresh, new views to your own community. And encourage others to do the same thing. You’ll all be better for it.

“Don’t lie about it. You made a mistake. Admit it and move on. Just don’t do it again. Ever.”

We’re all human. We all make mistakes. When you screw up, just admit it. People appreciate honestly a lot more than BS. And they’ll respect you more for it, too.

“Avoid at all costs that vile spew you see rotting in oil in screw top jars. Too lazy to peel fresh? You don’t deserve to eat garlic.”

There’s no such thing as too much garlic. I put it in everything. And as someone who has cooked with and eaten both the spew rotting in oil in screw top jars as well as the fresh, Bourdain is right. If you’re too lazy to peel fresh, you don’t deserve to eat garlic.

“If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food. It’s a plus for everybody.”

I grew up in Massachusetts, went to school in Florida, went back to school in Oklahoma, and now live in Arizona. I’ve lived in many different parts of the US and have traveled to even more corners of it. Those experiences set me on the road to being a global citizen and played a major role in shaping my views and values. I truly believe that I would not be in the position I am in today to go travel and see the world if I hadn’t moved around so much.

Far too many people remain far too narrow-minded today. Open your mind to new experiences. Go out and try new things. You’ll be amazed at what you discover about yourself.

“Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico, and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonald’s? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria’s mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled fish head?”

I am a firm believer that when you travel, you should completely immerse yourself the local culture. There’s one particular episode of Parts Unknown that stands out to me. Bourdain traveled to Chaing Mai, Thailand, and met up with a friend at a local restaurant to try some of the regional cuisine.

The general rule with food in Thailand is that it gets more exotic the further north you get. Some of the foods they tried in Chiang Mai sounded absolutely disgusting, but Bourdain said it was one of the most delicious and satisfying meals he ever had.

The lesson here is simple. Try the food. Speak the language. Participate in the local pastimes. You’ll have a much richer experience and can bring those new perspectives back to your own community. Save the McDonald’s for when you’re home.

Conclusion

The most valuable returns on the investment of travel are the experiences you have, the perspectives you gain, and the stories you can share with your community at home. Photography is an incredibly powerful means to engage communities and raise awareness both at home and abroad.

As you can tell from the quotes, Anthony Bourdain had major influences in my global perspectives and philosophy as a travel landscape photographer and as a global citizen. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll ever fully appreciate just how true of a gift he was to this world.

That is why we travel. Where will your next adventure take you?

Top Photo: Fannette Island and Emerald Bay
South Lake Tahoe, California – Feburary, 2020

The post 15 Powerful Anthony Bourdain Quotes That Inspire My Travel Photography appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

In the meantime, maybe your target destination hasn’t fully reopened. Perhaps you’re not quite ready to venture out again. Or, if you’re just lazy, that’s perfectly fine, too. We don’t judge. It’s surprisingly easy to “travel” the world without leaving the comforts of home (or even your couch).

Food

We all have to eat. Why not turn it into an adventure? Most food is heavily tied to a particular location. Don’t believe me? What’s the first place that comes to mind when you think of sausages and beer? Hopefully Germany. What about tacos? Jerk chicken? Or Pork Lo Mein? All you have to do is schedule your meals around your favorite destinations.

Start your day south of the border with a classic Mexican breakfast. Huevos rancheros served on warm homemade corn tortillas. Top it with a salsa fresca made from fresh herbs and veggies you just cut from your garden.

For lunch, jet off to the romantic coast of Italy. Cook a margherita pizza on a Tuscan-style crust that you let rise in the warm morning sun. Top it with fresh Italian herbs and spices and serve al fresco. There is nothing better than a margherita pizza made from fresh tomatoes and basil you grew yourself.

Wrap up your world adventure on the bustling streets of Bangkok sampling some of Thailand’s world-famous street food. For dinner, serve up some Kai Khrapao (Basil Chicken) or Pad Thai with a side of grilled satay. And don’t forget a salad. My favorites are the Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad) or the Thai mint and cucumber salad.

Want to make it even more of an adventure? Try cooking it yourself. All of those dishes I mentioned above are easy to make with ingredients that are readily available at any American supermarket.

Music

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, music was my go-to escape. It was so easy to get away from all of the bad news, loneliness, and stupidity. Like food, most music is tied to a particular geographic area. And you can zip around the world much more quickly and efficiently than just through your three daily meals. In fact, let’s go for an adventure right now.

Let’s start on the warm tropical shores of Jamaica. You can almost feel the refreshing trade winds blowing off the Caribbean.

On our way out of the Caribbean, we’ll make a quick stop on the island of Martinique. The French Antilles are home to the upbeat zouk and kompa rhythms.

You can’t have a music tour without a stop in Ireland.

If you can’t get enough drinking in Ireland, try your hand at a drinking song in Russia.

Then, we’re off to Africa, which is the birthplace of so much of the musical influences across Latin America, the Caribbean, and even the United States.

Recharge your batteries in Southeast Asia with a meditation retreat.

Back on North American soil, visit the rich cultural centers of Mexico. I can’t wait to smell the shrimp on the grill at my favorite street taco stand again.

And we’ll come full circle back to the Caribbean and return home via the US Virgin Islands.

If you’re looking to up your home travel game even more, try combining food and music for an even deeper experience.

Maps

I may be a bit biased being a map geek, but I love exploring new areas on maps. Regardless of whether you’re poking around your own back yard or a new city on the other side of the globe, there are always new places to explore. Give it a try.

Google Street View

Supercharge your map exploration. Virtually put yourself on the ground pretty much anywhere in the world you desire. It’s about as close to traveling as you can get without actually traveling. Traverse the globe in a matter of seconds. And get inspiration for your next trip. I’d be lying to you if I told you that I didn’t waste plenty of hours on Google Street View when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Hit the ground on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

Soak in the breathtaking views of the South African coast along the Chapman’s Peak Drive near Cape Town.

Trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

Go whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon

Swim in the cenotes in the Yucatán.

And drive into the guts of the Australian Outback.

The world is quite literally at your fingertips. Go explore it.

Photography and Art

I love looking at travel and nature photography. It’s a way to relive fond memories. But more importantly, it’s a way to find motivation for your next trip, add items to my bucket list as well as explore new places. After looking at these photos of Lake Tahoe, don’t you really want to go there?

Meditation

Whenever you think of meditation, you probably think of mindfulness, peace, and relaxation. However, when you try to reduce stress through meditation, you need to remove your mind from the source of stress, which is usually close by. Then you can transport your mind to where it can relax. For most people, that’s somewhere in nature, such as at the beach, in the mountains, or in the forest.

Scents

Your sense of smell triggers some of your most powerful memories. In fact, it’s such a powerful trigger that businesses sometimes make their stores smell certain ways because certain scents actually boost their sales. You’ll notice these scents are most prominent around the holidays in November and December.

You can easily use scented candles, air fresheners, and fragrance sprays around your home. Transport yourself to the beach, mountains, river, meadow, and beyond. Nowadays, you can even use scents of your favorite foods and holidays to make your “getaway”. Pair your scents with any other item in this post for an even fuller experience.

Television, Netflix, and YouTube

Those of you who know me know that I mostly watch funny shows and sports on TV. Even though I don’t watch a lot of TV, I also watch travel shows. You can find them through your cable provider, most streaming services, and even on YouTube.

Why watch travel shows? First, they were a great escape from all of the negativity and loneliness associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, they’re great motivation. Obviously, you can get plenty of inspiration for places to travel and things to do. However, I don’t have anything remotely close to the budget that many of these shows have.

Instead, I get much more mileage using travel shows as inspiration to improve my skills in photography, videography, and video production. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do all three professionally. However, I believe that no matter how good or how well-known you are at something, there’s always somewhere you can improve.

Here are the trailers for a few of my favorite travel shows.

Your “Happy Place”

When you’re faced with adversity or under heavy pressure, close your eyes and escape to your Happy Place. A happy place is a place in your mind you can go to relax and re-focus yourself, where all your worries will fade away.

Take it from the great coach Chubbs Peterson in Happy Gilmore.

Conclusion

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, we all still have a bit of hesitancy to resume our 2019 travel activities. Indeed, travel is still largely restricted on the international scale. If you’re itching to travel again, but are still worried about the pandemic, there are plenty of ways to escape and “travel” without leaving your house. Don’t hesitate to combine any or all of the methods we’ve discussed above. It’s not the same as actually being out on the road. But it’s still a pretty rewarding experience.

Top Photo: The Canadian Flag Proudly Flies over Highway 401
London, Ontario, Canada – August, 2019

The post 9 Clever Ways to Travel Without Leaving Your Couch appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

Looking back at the past year or so, woof, what a dumpster fire. The COVID-19 pandemic took away my travel and photography adventures. It exposed major flaws in my business model and tried mightily to take down my business. The fail-safes I put in place to protect the business following a major financial mishap in 2017 were put to the ultimate test, but they held. Then, to put the cherry on top, death threats and threats of political violence forced me out of my home in Arizona. I still have no idea if or how that will get resolved.

Believe It or Not, There Was Plenty of Good in 2020

I’ve never been one to have any tolerance for other people telling me how to go about my daily life. In times like the past 12 or so months, the best thing you can do is take all of that adversity and turn it around into something positive. Having my photography taken away and the flaws in my business model exposed were honestly one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. Yes, I know that sounds crazy, but I’m being completely serious here.

Hear me out. If you’re running a business and your business model has flaws in it, wouldn’t you like to know? Without that knowledge, you’re only holding yourself and you customers back. What good is it if you can’t reach your full potential?

Losing Your Sense of Normalcy Lets You Freely Refocus and Redefine Your Values, Goals, and Dreams

Have you ever heard the saying “you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone”? If the COVID-19 pandemic had a slogan, that would be it. When you lose the comforts of normalcy, it’s easy to feel more emboldened, almost like you have less to lose.

Grab hold of that energy and ask yourself a few questions. If you had an unlimited supply of money and nothing tying you down, what would you do? Where would you do it? Why would you do it? When you answer those questions, you’ll discover your true values, goals, and dreams.

Interestingly, you would think that the pandemic’s impact on my business would have the greatest influence on my values, goals, and dreams. I thought that, too. It was actually losing my travel and photography adventures that made the greatest impact.

Shortly after moving to Arizona in 2015, I wanted to expand my awareness and views of the world. As a result, I began making routine trips to Mexico.

Stepping across the border and looking at your home country from the outside is a truly eye-opening experience. Gain a new appreciation for the good things you have. Expose societal and cultural flaws you thought were completely normal. Immersing myself in a new culture and a third language turned me on to the concept of being a global citizen.

Become a Global Citizen to Broaden Your Community at Home

A global citizen is someone who is aware of the world and has a sense of their role in it. They are involved as members of the international community and are committed to building on this community in a meaningful and positive way. Becoming a global citizen will broaden your global perspective and allow you to bring fresh, new views back to your own community. Photography is an incredibly powerful means to engage communities and raise awareness both at home and abroad. You can easily make a similar argument for the maps and data I work with, too.

Shutting down my travel and photography adventures for over a year made me question everything that’s brought me to this point. Witnessing the rapid, extreme, and too often terrifying radicalization of so many people in Arizona has only strengthened my rejection of those extremist views. Having to truly hate someone else’s views on the world is a terrible, awful feeling.

As a result, my drive and desire to raise awareness and share stories through my work in data science, GIS, and photography is stronger than ever. Coupling that work with international travel will make me a better business owner, a better photographer, and a better citizen.

Too many Americans are woefully ignorant about what’s going on outside our borders. The world should be a better place for everyone.

Use Times of Uncertainty to Execute Your Plan to Achieve Your Dreams

The seeds of my life dreams date back to the first time someone asked to purchase my photography. At the time, I was a college student who knew absolutely nothing about running a business, but I really wanted to be able to make money selling my photos online. However, the thought of the freedom that came with being your own boss was so alluring.

Graduating into a barren wasteland of a job market during the darkest days of the Great Recession only made crave that freedom of being your own boss more. After graduating, I used my spare time to learn the basics of how to run a business.

Because I had gone through multiple periods of long-term unemployment, most employers saw me as damaged goods and refused to hire me. At that point, I knew there was no going back. I started working as an independent contractor in 2013, and formally incorporated Matthew Gove Web Development, LLC in 2016.

When you run your own business, you learn to appreciate the good times and the bad. A client skipping out on a $40,000 bill nearly bankrupted me in 2017. After finally digging out of that hole, things finally began to take off in 2019. Then Covid hit. Despite all that, running my own business has been an incredibly rewarding process and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

What Are My Post COVID-19 Business Goals?

After exposing major flaws in my business model, the COVID-19 pandemic made me realize that I took way too much for granted. It’s time to chase those bucket list dreams on both a professional and personal level. If you’re not going to do it now, when are you?

Business Goal #1: Diversify Your Income and Eliminate the “Feast or Famine” Cycle

Matthew Gove Web Development, LLC will be releasing a new line of offerings within the next few weeks. The new lineup will eliminate much of the hassle of writing quotes and negotiating prices, and will allow us to deliver a higher quality product to you in a shorter time frame. In addition, I have automated most of the administrative tasks, freeing up valuable time to focus on your projects.

Business Goal #2: Rebuild to $100k per Year in Gross Revenue. Then Continue to Grow the Business to the Point You Need to Hire Help

Prior to the COVID-19 lockdowns, I had been on track to hit $100,000 per year in gross revenues at some point between 2020 and 2022. While the pandemic took a big bite out of that, I am confident that we’ll be able to reach that having patched the holes in my business model, I can hit benchmark sooner rather than later.

Once you reach that benchmark, why stop there? I’d love to get to $200k per year. Then maybe $400k? Having gone through the misery long-term unemployment after graduating college, I still dream of one day being able to create a job for someone in the same situation. My goal is to be able to do that within the next three to five years.

Business Goal #3: Open a Store to Sell Your Photography

Opening an online store to sell my photography has been on my bucket list for over 15 years. However, it seems like I’ve always lacked either the time, money, or experience to do so. Thankfully, a once-in-a-century pandemic has finally given me an opportunity where I have all three at once, so the Matt Gove Photo store will open within the next three to six weeks. If you can’t wait, you can license a photo today.

Realizing a Dream: We’re Setting Off to Travel the World

Losing the ability to travel and take photos took far more than just a fun activity I enjoy doing. It took away part of voice because I use photography to share stories and raise awareness. I didn’t realize just how much travel meant to me until I lost it to the COVID-19 lockdowns.

After the hellish pandemic year, it’s time to gain some new perspective. To become a better business owner, photographer, and global citizen, I am setting off to travel the world. One of the greatest perks of having my own business is that I can work from anywhere. After COVID-19, it’s a privilege I truly cherish. With all of the craziness going on in the United States right now, I hope to be able to bring some of the global perspective home with me.

What’s on Your Travel Bucket List

While I like to travel to beautiful places for landscape photography, my choice of destination goes far deeper than that. To become a better global citizen, I also want an authentic cultural experience that will allow me to engage communities both at home and abroad. I want to experience new foods, listen to new music, and immerse myself in both foreign language and cultural events.

It will likely still be a while before the world fully reopens, so we’ll be sticking closer to home at least to start. Since we’re based out of the United States, that means North America and the Caribbean.

Travel to All 50 U.S. States

In order to have the richest experience abroad, you should be familiar with the regional and cultural differences within your own country. In a country as vast and diverse as the United States, it’s especially critical. You can’t gain new perspectives abroad if you’re oblivious to what’s going on at home.

Thankfully, I’ve already been to 40 of the 50 states, so getting the last 10 shouldn’t be too difficult. I’d like to visit all of the US territories as well. It’s been close to 20 years since I last set foot in either Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Travel to All 13 Canadian Provinces and All 31 Mexican States

There are a couple trips in Canada I’ve had my eyes on for a while.

• Drive the Trans-Canada Highway from the Atlantic to the Pacific
• Road trip from the Peace Arch in Surrey, British Columbia to Inuvik, Northwest Territories via the Dempster Highway

South of the Border, I want to immerse myself in everything Mexico’s rich culture has to offer. Like the US, Mexico is an incredibly diverse country, and my adventures in Sonora and Baja California haven’t even begun to scratch the surface, yet. In addition, I hope to be able to gain fluency in Spanish and broaden my perspectives of the many issues plaguing the US-Mexico border today.

• Experience Mayan Culture in the Yucatán Peninsula. Swimming in the cenotes has been on my bucket list for a very long time. You can also use the Yucatán as a home base for exploring Central America and the Western Caribbean.
• Photograph the stunning blue waters of Agua Azul and Sumidero Canyon in the State of Chiapas
• Take a tequila tour through the highlands of Mexico’s “Tequila States”: Jalisco, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and Michoacán
• Hike to the breathtaking 250 m (820 ft) waterfall at Cascada de Basaseachi in Chihuahua
• Visit Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas – a popular tourist destination on the Texas border that will be an interesting comparison to my adventures in Los Algodones, Baja California
• Learn about the history and story of Chinaco Tequila. Chinaco is a unique tequila that is said to be more complex and rich in flavor than tequila from Jalisco. It’s made from blue agave farmed in fertile, high-mineral soil near the only licensed distillery in the State of Tamaulipas, which sits on the Gulf of Mexico and shares a border with Texas.
• Explore Big Bend National Park in Texas and make the unique border crossing across the Rio Grande to Boquillas del Carmen, Coahuila

National Parks

I would like to visit every National Park in the US and Canada. Making a big loop through the National Parks in western US and Canada has been on my bucket list ever since our Great Southwest Trip in 2012.

Foreign Language Re-Immersion

Immersing yourself in the local language is one of the best ways to maximize your experience in any location. Even if all you can say is “hello”, you’ll form a deeper connection with the locals once you can break through the language barrier.

French Language (Re-)Immersion. Martinique et Guadeloupe, vous m’avez manqué! I’d also love to get back to Québec at some point, as well as visit French Polynesia. However, I studied French language and culture for more than 10 years. The holy grail of French language and cultural immersion lies in the rich diversity of Francophone Africa. I already have plenty of knowledge and tips for visiting countries like Sénégal, Gabon, and the Congo.

Spanish Language Immersion in Mexico. Ever since setting foot in Mexico for the first time, my goal has been to gain fluency in Spanish. Instead of sitting at home endlessly thumbing through textbooks, what better way to gain fluency than the experience of immersing yourself in it?

Beyond North America

My worldwide bucket list goes far beyond anything I can list here, but here are a few to whet your palette.

• Take a food tour through Southeast Asia
• Go on an African Safari
• Drive across the Australian Outback in a 4×4
• Photograph some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the world in Kyrgyzstan
• See endangered gorillas at Virunga National Park and climb Mt. Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Go hoverboarding on Russia’s Lake Baikal in the winter

Conclusion

After 15 months of isolation and lockdown, we’re all itching to get back out and do the things we love with a semblance of normalcy. I hope the pandemic has given you as much drive to rediscover your passions as it has me.

Rediscovering my true values and purpose has motivated me to engage communities and raise awareness both at home and abroad through photography, as well as my work in data and GIS. In doing so, I hope to be able to gain new perspectives about life in the United States, as well as bring some world culture home.

During previous crises, I have always taken solace in music. As we get set to take back our lives and enjoy our newfound freedom, I wanted to express the mood and excitement of these new beginnings and new opportunities. Kenny Chesney couldn’t have done it better.

“This is our moment. This is our time. We ain’t holdin’ back, we’re laying it all on the line. This is our destiny. It’s our night to shine.” What are you waiting for? Go make your dreams become reality.

Top Photo: Pondering My Thoughts at Lake Thunderbird
Norman, Oklahoma – March, 2014

The post Using Reflection to Look Forward: COVID-19 Fuels a New Bucket List appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

In normal years, I like to look back at all the great highlights from the past year and use that momentum as a springboard into the new year. I really don’t see much point in going too deeply into a year that had so few highlights. At this point, I consider it a victory that after 10 months of being locked down at home, I haven’t started singing to lamp shades and engaging in deeply philosophical conversations with my light switches.

Instead of wallowing in the misery of the dumpster fire that was 2020, let’s instead focus our efforts into making 2021 a much better year. Let’s be realistic. 2021 probably won’t be the best year we’ve ever had, as we will likely still be dealing with the pandemic for most of the year. However, it’s up to us to make it the best year we possibly can.

1. Put 2020 in the past and be done with it.

The State of Oklahoma gave us a master class in how to recover and move on from a major disaster following the 20 May, 2013 EF-5 tornado that tore through the City of Moore. At the time, I was a meteorology student at the University of Oklahoma, living less than 10 miles from the damage path. It was fascinating being able to watch first hand the disaster, the response, and the recovery unfold. I learned a lot from that disaster that can be applied to the current pandemic.

It’s no secret that Oklahoma knows how to deal with violent tornadoes. That’s especially true for the City of Moore. Believe it or not, the 2013 tornado was the second EF-5 tornado to make a direct hit on the city in less than 15 years. Moore was also hit on 3 May, 1999, a storm that is the gold standard in mesoscale meteorology textbooks to this day. During the 1999 tornado, doppler radar measured a confirmed wind gust of 318 mph (512 km/h). That record still stands today as the strongest wind gust ever recorded on Earth.

So how is Oklahoma so resilient to being the target of violent weather so frequently? It’s so amazingly simple there’s really no excuse for not applying it to the current pandemic.

1. Salvage what you can from the destruction.
2. Clear out all the debris so you can start from a clean slate.
3. Rebuild better, smarter, and stronger

Moore was mostly rebuilt by the one-year anniversary of the tornado in 2014.

2. Embrace The Oklahoma Standard

During my tenure as a student at OU, I was completely blown away by the concept of The Oklahoma Standard. It’s essentially an unwritten rule that says that you look out for your neighbors and fellow community members, especially during tough times. Prior to the 2013 tornado, I had never seen anything like the sense of unity and community during the healing and recovery process. I’ve never seen anything like it since.

Want to see the Oklahoma Standard in action? One of the first groups to arrive in Moore to help with the 2013 tornado recovery was from Newtown, Connecticut. If you’ve forgotten, Newtown had been the site of the horrific Sandy Hook massacre less than 5 months earlier. The group spent several months following the tornado hauling trailers full of donated aid, supplies, and disaster relief from Newtown to Moore.

That summer, one of the local TV stations in Oklahoma City caught up with the leader of the Newtown group. They asked him what motivated them to help Moore so much. He said it was the least they could do to give back and show their appreciation for the incredible outpouring of love and support they received in the aftermath of Sandy Hook.

We need more people like that to get us through the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Instead of Vague New Year’s Resolutions, Set Specific, Attainable Goals

We all want to eat healthier, lose weight, and make more money. Those are some of the most common New Year’s Resolutions out there. Unfortunately, they are also incredibly vague. They do not specify any criteria to determine how or when they’ll be attained. And you wonder why almost everyone abandons their New Year’s resolutions by the 19th of January.

The secret to staying on track is to set SMART goals. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Vague resolutions like “lose weight” or “make more money” are none of those things. Here are a few examples of how you can turn your vague resolutions into SMART goals.

4. Check Something Off Your Bucket List

If you’re anything like me or a lot of other people, your bucket list is probably full of travel-related items. While I’m hopeful some semblance of being able to travel will return in 2021, I wouldn’t bank on it to check anything off your bucket list.

Instead, focus on the COVID-friendly items on your bucket list. I know you have them on there. Start that side business you keep talking about. Build the table you’ve always wanted. Do that dream home improvement project you keep putting off.

Checking something off your bucket list is a great way to break the day-to-day monotony of pandemic life. As a bonus, it will also boost your mental health, make you feel good, and help beat back some of those COVID blues.

5. Set Yourself Up for Future Success

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, I have spent much of my free time setting both myself and my business up for success in the future. While they’re not fully completed yet, some of these projects include:

• Diversifying my income to protect against loss of revenue in the future
• Build and execute a proper marketing plan and strategy
• Plan, set up, and establish multiple streams of passive income, such as publishing e-books and teaching online courses
• Expand the Matthew Gove Web Development product catalog to offer a more complete package that is better suited to clients’ needs
• Turn my primary hobby, Matt Gove Photo, into a side business to generate supplemental income.

I consider anything to set yourself up for future success an investment in yourself. That investment is made in some combination of time and money. You’ll need to figure out the balance that best suits your situation. When properly executed, the return on investment (ROI) can pay off hugely in the long run. In the best of outcomes, you’ll create a positive feedback loop that just keeps boosting your ROI. I recently argued that the COVID-19 crisis can be a glittering opportunity. It’s up to you to figure out how much you want to take advantage of it.

Conclusion

During tough times, there is nothing more liberating and cleansing than a fresh start. After a year like we just had, there is no better reason than the New Year’s holiday to put 2020 behind us and start fresh in 2021.

However, it’s important to not completely erase 2020 from memory. Forgetting the sacrifices and hardships we all endured will only lead to more complacency and ignorance and increase the chance we’ll wind up right back in this exact same mess when the next disaster strikes. As divided as we are these days, I think we can all agree that we don’t want to have to relive 2020 anytime soon.

Happy New Year, and here’s to a safe, healthy, and much more normal 2021.

Top Photo: Cleansing and Refreshing Scenery at Lake Tahoe
Sand Harbor State Park, Nevada – February, 2020

The post 2020 was a Dumpster Fire. Here are 5 Ways You Can Make 2021 Much Better. appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

With all international travel and most domestic travel on hold, look closer to home for happiness. Interestingly, some of the photography adventures I have taken in years past check all of the boxes for Covid safety. What a perfect way to boost your mental health! Today, let’s have a look at fifteen destinations in the western United States to get outside and explore. In addition, you can treat your mental health away from the crowds and from the safety of your Covid bubble.

A Word of Caution About Adventuring During COVID

Just because we’re talking about fun adventures today does not mean it’s a green light to let loose. Stay close to home and stick to day trips. This is not the appropriate time to be pin-balling all over the country. Don’t invite all of your friends to come with you, either. Instead, stick to small groups of people you live with, who are already in your Covid bubble. Pack plenty of food, drinks, and sanitizer so you don’t need to stop anywhere.

Please obey all local Covid restrictions, ordinances, and mandates. I know it feels like so many of them have been politicized, but they are there for a reason. Many state and national parks have their own restrictions as well. You will likely be fined if you violate restrictions on state or federal land.

Finally, don’t forget to plan for any hazards you would normally encounter during non-COVID times. Many of these destinations can close unexpectedly due to snow and ice in the winter. Speaking of which, know the tire chain requirements for any states you’ll be traveling through. Carry chains with you and know how to chain up yourself if you’re expecting to be in snow country. If you have any doubts, it’s probably best to stay home.

Now, let’s kick those Covid blues and put your mental health on the fast track to happiness.

1. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument – Arizona

The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument sits on the US-Mexico border at the south end of Arizona’s Highway 85. It is the only place in the United States to see the rare organ pipe cactus. While the cactus itself is fairly common south of the border, even the mild winters in Arizona’s low deserts have proven to be too cold for it.

The national monument is also home to an incredible diversity of rare species of flora, fauna, and surprisingly, fish. The Quitobaquito Oasis is home to species of fish that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The rarest of all is the Sonoyta pupfish. Named for the Mexican town that sits across the border from the monument, Quitobaquito is the only known place in the world that they inhabit.

Note: The access roads to Quitobaquito and Dos Lomitas Ranch are currently closed due to construction of new border fencing.

You’ll find the best photo ops along the Ajo Mountain drive. The 33 km (21 mi) guided tour starts across Highway 85 from the Visitors Center. Along the way, you’ll stop and see the best of what the Sonoran Desert has to offer. If you’re looking to get off the beaten path a little more, consider the North Puerto Blanco Drive. It starts from behind the Visitors Center, but beware that you’ll need a high clearance 4×4 to tackle it.

2. Pacific Coast Highway – Oregon and California

Is there any better feeling than the freedom of a drive up the coast? The fresh ocean air is bound to give anyone’s mental health a shot in the arm. In the age of Covid, keep your stops away from towns and population centers. Find a quiet pull-out at the top of a bluff, and enjoy that nice picnic lunch that you brought from home as you watch the world go by.

3. Burr Trail – Utah

The Burr Trail winds over 120 km (76 mi) through the guts of Utah’s breathtaking backcountry. Starting in the town of Boulder, you’ll pass through the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument, Capitol Reef National Park, and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Drive through beautiful canyons, across stunning mesas, and descend the infamous Burr Trail Switchbacks, which drop close to 1,000 feet elevation in just 1 mile. At a 13% grade on a narrow dirt track, the switchbacks satisfy the hunger of even the most adventurous. You’ll quickly see why it’s rated one of the most scenic drives in Utah and the ultimate exercise in social distancing.

4. Palo Duro Canyon – Texas

Known as the Grand Canyon’s Little Brother, Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States. Meaning “strong wood” in Spanish, Palo Duro Canyon offers outdoor activities for everyone, including hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The entrance to the state park is a short drive south of Amarillo on Interstate 27. And unlike the Grand Canyon, you can actually drive the bottom of Palo Duro Canyon in a normal passenger car.

You’ll get plenty of great photo opportunities from both the rim and the bottom of the canyon. I recommend arriving close to either sunrise or sunset in order to take advantage of soft, low light on the canyon’s walls. Snap some pictures from the lookouts near the Visitors’ Center before starting your descent into the canyon.

5. Great Salt Plains – Oklahoma

Take a journey back in time at Oklahoma’s Great Salt Plains. The salt pan is a remnant of prehistoric times, when a vast ocean covered what is now Oklahoma. In the summertime, you can venture out on the salt flats and dig for selenite crystals. The Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is the only place in the world where you’ll find hourglass-shaped selenite crystals.

Fast-forward to today, and you’ll find a state park, a national wildlife refuge, and a large lake. The Great Salt Plains are a great spot to go hiking, swimming, and boating. However, my favorite activity is to take the quiet and tranquil scenic drive through the salt marshes off of Highway 11. You’ll truly be at one with your camera and with nature. If you’re there at the right time of year, Oklahoma is a popular stop along a major bald eagle migration route, too.

6. Apache Trail – Arizona

Take breathtaking drive through the rugged terrain of Arizona’s Superstition Mountains. Originally built as a stagecoach road in the early 20th century, the Apache Trail was named after the Apache Indians who used this same route to cross the mountains. Today, it is Arizona’s State Route 88, an easy day trip from Phoenix.

Much of the Apache Trail is unpaved, but passable in a standard passenger car. There are several steep, narrow hills and one-lane bridges. My best advice to you is that if you don’t like heights, don’t look down. When you reach the end of the trail, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Theodore Roosevelt Lake.

7. Death Valley’s Badwater Backcountry – California

You don’t appreciate exactly how extreme an environment Death Valley is until you travel through its backcountry. Head west out of Pahrump, Nevada, and follow California Highways 178, 127, and 190. You’ll wind up in the heart of Death Valley National Park in the aptly-named town of Furnace Creek, California. Furnace Creek measured the world-record high temperature of 134°F (57°C) on 10 July, 1913. You’ll also pass through Badwater Basin, which marks the lowest point in the United States, at 86 meters (282 ft) below sea level.

Before setting out, please know what you’re getting yourself into. You will be driving through some of the most remote, desolate backcountry in the world. There will be times that you’re more than 120 km (75 mi) from the nearest town.

Gas up before you leave Pahrump, as it could be over 320 km (200 mi) before you see another gas station. Stay hydrated, as dehydration and heat exhaustion are possible even in the winter. And if you break down? You better know how to fix it or have a satellite phone. There is no cell service inside Death Valley National Park, and seeing other cars in the backcountry is extremely rare.

8. White Sands National Park – New Mexico

Home to the world’s largest gypsum dunefield, White Sands is a true natural wonder. Sitting just outside of Alamogordo, New Mexico, it’s one of the only National Parks that is very slowly moving downwind.

Are you wondering what exactly gypsum is? It looks like salt, and feels like sand, but is in fact neither of them. Gypsum is a soft mineral composed mainly of calcium sulfate. In fact, the “sand” at White Sands National Park is soluble in water. If you put a handful of it into a glass of water, it will dissolve.

9. Antelope Hills – Oklahoma

The Antelope Hills are a small, but important landmark in the history of both Oklahoma and the United States as a whole. In addition to marking the westernmost point settlers could claim in Oklahoma during the land rush of the 1800s, it also marked the US-Mexico border.

At the time, it separated the United States’ Indian Territory from Mexico’s Alta California territory. Alta California was mostly comprised of what is currently Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The United States acquired the territory as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War in 1848.

The dirt road to the Antelope Hills is passable in a standard passenger car and is generally void of other traffic. However, be aware that 18-wheelers sometimes use it as a shortcut to access a nearby oil rig, so the road can be extremely washboarded at times. If you’re in the area, I encourage you to visit the nearby Black Kettle National Grassland and the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site.

10. Lee’s Ferry and Marble Canyon – Arizona

If you’re looking to avoid crowds at the Grand Canyon, make a stop near Page at Lee’s Ferry and Marble Canyon. Sitting just outside the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park, there is plenty of space to keep yourself socially-distanced from the few other people that may be there.

Pull up a chair on the beach and stick your feet in the water to cool off. Have a picnic, read a book, or just relax and enjoy the solitude. If you’re feeling exceptionally brave, take a swim. Lee’s Ferry is only a few miles downstream of the Glen Canyon Dam, so water temperature usually top out around 45°F (7°C), even in the dead of summer.

As you leave Lee’s Ferry, stop for a few photos at the Navajo Bridge. The foot bridge provides stunning views of Marble Canyon from 500 feet above the Colorado River. Be aware that the bridge can occasionally be crowded, though large crowds are mostly a summer phenomenon.

11. Scenic Highway 12 – Utah

Utah’s Scenic Highway 12 is probably the most spectacular drive I’ve ever taken. It’s well-deserving of its distinction as an All-American Road. You’ll see the stunning rock formations near Zion National Park, the famous hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, majestic mountains, lush forests, and much more.

If Scenic Highway 12 leaves you craving more, the highway provides easy access to Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Burr Trail, Capitol Reef National Park, and Utah’s Scenic Highway 95. Do you have a 4×4 and a stronger quest for adventure? Many of Utah’s famous scenic backways, including Hell’s Backbone and Hole-in-the-Rock, can be found right off of Highway 12.

12. US-395 – California

Many travel guides properly designate US-395 in California as an All-American Road Trip. Running along the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains from Ridgecrest to Lake Tahoe, there is no shortage of beautiful scenery.

After starting on the valley floor, you’ll pass through deserts, grasslands, and pine forests as you ascend to nearly 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) elevation at Conway Summit. For more than just a driving trip, US-395 offers plenty of side excursions. Turn off and explore the Alabama Hills, Inyo or Stanislaus National Forests, or one of the roads to the many ski resorts along the way.

In the wintertime, please check the road conditions for every road you plan to explore in this area. The Sierra Nevada are notorious for their massive snowstorms, which often strike fast and hard. As a result, many roads close in the winter, and you don’t want to get cut-off or stranded.

Additionally, I also recommend you carry tire chains at all times during the winter months. California requires them for most vehicles when it snows in the Sierra. If you have any doubts about snow, consider driving US-95 as an alternate. It runs parallel to US-395 on the Nevada side of the state line at a much lower elevation. It’s not quite as scenic, but it sure beats sitting around at home.

13. Gloss Mountain State Park – Oklahoma

Don’t let the fact that it’s less than 1 square mile fool you. Gloss Mountain State Park packs a punch for its small size. Take the short hike to the top of the escarpment for spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding prairie. It’s an incredible spot to watch the sunset. Alternatively, find a quiet spot to have a picnic, ponder your thoughts, or meditate.

When you’re done, drive the Gloss Mountain Loop. The dirt track loop is part of Oklahoma’s Great Plains Trail system. While not part of the state park, it offers a unique perspective of the surrounding area, and plenty of good photo ops. You’ll probably meet a few friendly cows along the way, too.

14. Mogollon Rim – Arizona

I can only describe the Mogollon Rim as a therapeutic escape. At nearly 8,000 feet (2,200) meters above sea level, I have always used it to escape Phoenix’s scorching summer heat. There’s something truly magical when you feel the cool summer breezes through the ponderosa pines. Using that logic, it would make a great escape from Covid life as well.

The Mogollon Rim Road, Forest Road 300, runs about 75 km (45 mi) right along the edge of the rim. It passes through the Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, offering an incredible diversity of viewpoints and photo ops. Find a quiet spot with a great view at one of the many turnouts along the Rim Road or head over to one of the area’s many lakes and fully immerse yourself in your escape.

Note: The Mogollon Rim Road closes for the winter after the first major snowfall and usually re-opens sometime in April.

15. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge – Oklahoma

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge was one of my go-to getaways when I lived in Oklahoma. Start your day with a drive up Mt. Scott for a bird’s eye overview of the refuge. At 2,500 feet (760 meters) above sea level, the summit of Mt. Scott is the highest point in the main body of Oklahoma. From the top, you’ll get a breathtaking 360 degree view of the wildlife refuge, the Wichita Mountains, and nearby towns.

Next, make your way through the wildlife refuge on State Highway 49. Stop at any of the lakes, information stations, or pullouts. You’ll often see buffalo and longhorn cattle roaming the grasslands. There is never a shortage of wildlife for bird watchers, especially during the bald eagle migrations through Oklahoma. Additionally, keep an eye out for prairie dogs peeking out from their burrows.

If you still have some time, visit Great Plains State Park and Quartz Mountain State Park. Both are located just west of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. They highlight the true diversity of the landscapes across southwestern Oklahoma. You’ll see much of the same wildlife and achieve the same rewarding escape.

Conclusion

I can’t stress enough the importance of taking care of your mental health during this Covid winter. There will be dark days, as well as times that feel hopeless. Having an outlet to give you a temporary escape from reality and put a smile back on your face is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself.

Top Photo: Gorgeous Landscapes at the Rainbow Point Overlook
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah – May, 2017

The post 15 COVID-Friendly Landscape Photography Adventures in the Western United States appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

As many of you know, I am “glass half full” person. And having graduated college straight into the teeth of the Great Recession in 2009, I’ve been through my fair share of crises. As the weeks of painfully slow economic recovery from the Great Recession turned into months and the months turned into years, I had an epiphany.

Reject the Pandemic Negativity and Embrace Opportunity

People everywhere said that my generation was screwed. They would be the first generation to do worse off than their parents. They’re the new lost generation. They’ll never be able to afford to retire. It went on and on. My entire mindset changed when I realized that that entire notion was bullshit and wholeheartedly rejected it.

Instead, in addition to the pandemic, every crisis is an opportunity to either better yourself or take a step towards your goals that you wouldn’t have done had the crisis not occurred. Indeed, after going back to school and unable to find work in the years coming out of the Great Recession, I started my own business. It was the best decision I’ve ever made, and I wouldn’t trade the freedom and satisfaction of being your own boss for anything. If it weren’t for the Great Recession, I would likely still be struggling to climb my way up the corporate ladder somewhere.

Today, I’m going to teach you how to seize the moment and convert any crisis, including the ongoing pandemic, into an opportunity that could change your life. As Mac McAnally and Drake White put it, “Every day is once in a lifetime.”

1. Admit That There is a Problem or a Crisis

Look, we all have our pride. Admitting you have a problem is surprisingly hard to do, but if you can’t admit there’s a problem, you won’t be able reach a solution to it.

While it’s all well and good to admit to yourself you have a problem, I find it’s much more powerful if you can tell it to a close friend, family member, or other loved one. If you don’t want to go that far, then just write it down so you can hold yourself to it in the future.

2. Channel All the Negative Energy into a Positive Mindset

When constantly bombarded with all the negative news flying around these days, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you react like most of us and get angry. While it’s perfectly normal to occasionally get angry at certain things you hear on the news, it’s unhealthy to be angry all the time.

Instead of becoming angry, try to channel the negative energy into something positive for yourself. For example, if the politicization of everything these days gets under your skin, commit yourself to reject it and denounce it. If you can’t think of anything, look for ways to “pay it forward” and help somebody else. Don’t be afraid to use a relaxation exercise if you need to.

In fact, your actions and responses can be completely unrelated to the trigger. Sticking with the example of everything being politicized, you could commit to eat a healthier diet or go to bed earlier and get more sleep, both of which will make you feel better. If all else fails, rigorous exercise is a great way to blow off stress, frustration, and anger, plus you’ll feel good afterwards, too.

3. Focus on What You Can Control. Tune the Rest Out.

There is no better way to work yourself into a tizzy and really stress yourself out than worrying about things that are out of your control. Shift your mindset into how your actions and reactions can make the situation better.

For example if someone says something that you strongly disagree with, you control how you react, so diffuse the situation, tune them out, and walk away instead of escalating things and creating a confrontation. Surround yourself with positive influences, and take a hard pass on anything that could make you angry or sad.

4. Identify Your Goals and Dreams

Be honest with yourself, and don’t be afraid to dig deep to figure out what your true goals and dreams are, in both the short and long-term. Set realistic, achievable goals and dreams that are S.M.A.R.T. Don’t be afraid to dream big, as long as you can keep it within the S.M.A.R.T. criteria.

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-Bound

Setting these goals and dreams and the process of achieving them are investments in yourself. Investing in yourself is one of the best things you can ever do, regardless of the circumstance, and what better way to put yourself in a better mindset than to know you’re coming out of a crisis better than when you went into it.

5. Determine What You’re Willing to Sacrifice to Achieve those Goals and Dreams

In many instances, accomplishing your goals and dreams takes an enormous amount of sacrifice. Many of these sacrifices can also be considered investments in yourself, so your short-term sacrifice will pay off in a long-term return on investment. If you’re on the fence about something, look for ways to dip your toe in the water before fully committing to it.

When I started my business, I gave up the stability of receiving a paycheck every two weeks and all of the benefits that go along with it (such as paid time off), and took a very significant pay cut as I worked to get the business off the ground. I had to live off of a very strict budget for several years.

The long term return or trade-off is that I get to choose which projects I work on across several different industries. I can set my schedule and workload the way I want. I don’t need to ask permission if I need a day off. Best of all, I have the freedom to work from anywhere that has an internet connection. That freedom increases my happiness and motivation, which in turn increases my productivity. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

6. Put Together a Detailed Plan

I can tell you from my own personal experience that having an incomplete plan, or even worse, no plan, only ends in failure and dejection. Your short, medium, and long-term plans should include:

• What is the goal or dream?
• Are you willing to make sacrifices to achieve that goal or dream? Make a list of them. What are the long-term payoffs of those sacrifices?
• Are there any products or services that you need to purchase?
• How are you going to fund everything needed to reach your dream?
• What steps will you take to accomplish that goal or dream?
• What is the time frame to accomplish that goal or dream?

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. I also strongly recommend that you consider any actions that may be needed to “tide you over” as you work towards your dream. For example, if your dream is to start a business, would you need to or be willing to take a secondary job to pay the bills as you work to get your business off the ground, even if it’s a crappy minimum wage job?

7. Execute that Plan

You spent all that time writing your plan. Now get out and execute it!

8. Get Back on Track in the Face of Roadblocks and Setbacks

No matter how immaculately detailed your plan is, you will inevitably face roadblocks and setbacks. Unexpected things happen. It’s not your fault when they do. While you can’t control roadblocks and setbacks, you can control how you react to them. In my years of athletic coaching and other leadership positions, when things got derailed, I would always tell my team the following.

When you’re faced with adversity or under heavy pressure, close your eyes and escape to your Happy Place. A happy place is a place in your mind you can go to relax and re-focus yourself, where all your worries will fade away.

Take it from the great coach Chubbs Peterson in Happy Gilmore.

9. Life sometimes gets in the way. Revise your goals, dreams, and plans regularly.

Life is constantly throwing us curveballs. This is especially true in the age of COVID-19. When you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic, and more importantly, don’t give up. The problem is often not as serious as you first make it out to be. Instead, follow these steps to get your dreams back on track.

1. Relax. Take a deep breath, take a step back, and ask yourself how serious the problem truly is. Be realistic with yourself.
2. Return to step 5 above and see if you can adjust your plan so you can both handle the curveball and execute your plan successfully. If you’re stuck, don’t hesitate to go for an outside-the-box solution.
   1. If the curveball and your plan have a really serious conflict, you may need to scrap your plan and create a new one. Go back to step 1 and work your way through this guide. Keep in mind that even in this scenario, there are likely parts of your original plan that can be re-used.
3. Execute your new plan.
4. Continue chasing your dreams.

Whatever you do, don’t ever give up. You don’t want to live the rest of your life wondering “what if”.

10. Have fun and enjoy the ride.

You only get one shot at this whole game of life. Go live the hell out of it.

How Am I Harnessing the Opportunity of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Over the past two years or so, several flaws have emerged in my business model, so I am seizing the opportunity of the slowdown from the pandemic to correct those flaws, expand the business’ offerings, and set myself up for much better success in the future.

I recently read a fascinating article about working as a business owner. The author described the difference between working in your business, where you get paid for serving your clients and customers, versus working on your business, which consists of administrative work, planning, marketing, networking, and much more.

When done right, you don’t get paid immediately for work you do on your business. Instead, you see the payoff in the long-term, in the form of better clients, higher-paying projects, and more. I had spent way too much time working in the business, neglecting the business’ website, blog, and more, so everything was long overdue for a serious update.

Here are a few of my goals to accomplish during and after this incredible opportunity that the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic slowdown has presented. These goals all work towards one primary objective: setting myself up for happiness and prosperity in the future.

My Goals

1. Re-brand the business and greatly expand the business’ product catalog and offerings to attract a more diverse group of clients.
2. Diversify the business’ income. I was relying way too heavily on income from one client. Diversifying your income allows you to retain a reliable income should a project you’re working on suddenly end. Trust me, it happens from time to time, for a variety of reasons.
3. Formulate a proper marketing strategy. Most freelancers, self-employed individuals, and one-man businesses struggle mightily with marketing. I am no exception.
4. Create a new networking strategy. I want to reach beyond my network, as word-of-mouth referrals from friends and family only go so far.
5. Launch new products and update existing ones. I launched my own COVID-19 Dashboard back in March. The Matt Gove Photo Scenic Drives Map got a major face lift this past spring, and now features stunning three-dimensional maps and a greatly improved user experience. Matthew Gove Web Development launched a brand new, greatly expanded product catalog in September. I am currently working on a world encyclopedia that will link my passions for photography, travel/exploration, and GIS into one beautiful web application. A preliminary version of the encyclopedia will launch this fall, and I expect the complete application to launch in early 2021.
6. Expand to a global client base. Anyone with an internet connection is a potential client. I’d be stupid not to take advantage of that. Other economies will likely be back to normal before the US. A diversified global client base should help protect against economic downturns should one country plummet into a recession.
7. Plan for expansion of the business. I would love to generate enough work to need to hire additional help within the next three to five years.
8. Travel and explore. Once the pandemic is over, I want to get out, see the world, and reconnect with my love of photography.

Conclusion

Knowing exactly what you want and wanting it bad enough is an incredibly powerful mindset. If you’ve ever watched a playoff game in any sport, you have probably heard an analyst say that a victorious team “just wanted it more”. That’s the mindset you should be applying to your life. If you want something bad enough, it’s awfully hard for anyone or anything to stand in your way.

While the human and economic toll of COVID-19 has been horrific for so many of us, I encourage you to shift your mindset from seeing the COVID-19 pandemic as a crippling crisis to viewing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is a once-in-a-century pandemic after all.

You are the only one in control of your own actions, reactions, and destiny. Are you going to settle for mediocrity by whining, complaining, and making excuses, or will you seize the moment, take advantage of this opportunity, and achieve true greatness?

Top Photo: View from the Top of Fish Creek Hill
Superstition Wilderness, Arizona – March, 2016

The post Seize the Moment: 10 Steps to Transform a Crippling Pandemic into a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.

Invest in yourself. It’s one of the best things you can ever go, regardless of the circumstance. One of the easiest things you can control in a crisis is yourself. What better way to put yourself in a better mindset than to know you’re coming out of the crisis better than when you went into it. Let’s look at 13 free or low-cost ways you can invest in yourself during the ongoing pandemic, or any other time.

1. Take A Course

Learning a new skill or improving an existing one is probably the best investment you can make in yourself. Once you learn a skill, you have it for life, and nobody can take it away from you.

There’s no need to go back to school (the more power to you if you do). The internet is full of so many great resources online to learn new skills in any field that are either free or minimal cost. Sign up at Udemy, Coursera, The Great Courses, or any other online learning program.

2. Make a Bucket List

Write down all of those once-in-a-lifetime things you want to do, no matter how crazy or out-of-reach they may seem right now. Many of the items on my bucket list right now are travel-related, so with being stuck at home due to Covid, I know the feeling all too well. Plus, thinking about things that you really want to do allows your body to release all of those natural feel-good chemicals, which will boost your mood and your happiness.

3. Make a F*ck-It List

If you’re ever feeling down, frustrated, or anxious, making a f*ck-it list is an excellent way to relieve stress, blow off steam, and get it all out of your system. While you can make your list anything you want, I find that there are two primary paths you can follow:

Ice skating is now on my list of things in life I never care if I do again. It’s like an anti-bucket list. It rhymes with bucket, I can tell you that much.

Comedian John Pinette

While it’s all good to simply make a list of things you don’t want to do, I find that the Kenny Chesney approach is a much better way to relieve stress and blow off steam.

4. Make a List of Short and Long-Term Goals

Setting goals is an incredible way to invest in yourself and keep moving forward. Most of my goals are career-based goals, but you can make yours whatever you want. I recommend breaking them down into three categories.

• Short-Term: Goals you hope to accomplish within the next year
• Medium-Term: Goals you wish to accomplish within the next 3 to 5 years
• Long-Term: Goals you want to accomplish within the next 10 years

Remember to set S.M.A.R.T. goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Take this a step further and write down how you plan to achieve each goal as well.

5. Eat Healthy and Exercise

In order to invest in yourself, you need to take care of your body. Instead of greasy burgers, fries, and pizza, opt for veggies, fruit, or a healthy stir fry. Eat three meals a day and stick to a balanced diet.

In addition, try to get exercise at least 5 to 6 times per week. Exercise releases endorphins and hormones that make you feel good. You’ll need to find an exercise schedule that works best for you, but I find if I exercise first thing in the morning pretty much every day, I start the day feeling great and am able to focus much better throughout the day.

6. Embrace Your Hobbies

Seize being stuck at home as an opportunity to complete that project you’ve always wanted to. Build that table. Paint that painting. Write that book or make that movie you’ve wanted to. Hobbies are a great way to get away from everything, and that final product will give you a great sense of accomplishment.

7. Read Educational Materials

You learn something new everyday, right? Instead of watching Netflix all day, set aside some some time to read books, magazines, blogs, online forums, etc. that you can learn something new from. The content can be related to your career, hobbies, or just a topic you’re interested in.

Reading my book about the basics of the Thai language is a great change of pace from work and my hobbies and keeps my brain sharp. One of my favorite Thai phrases is ไม่เป็นไร (mai bpen rai), which is the Thai equivalent of Hakuna Matata.

8. Be Creative

Getting creative is the most underrated way to invest in yourself. Expressing your creative side is a fantastic way to stimulate your brain and keep it sharp. While art is often the first thing that comes to mind when you think about being creative, it’s far from the only path here.

Come up with a creative, outside-the-box solution to a problem that’s had you stumped for a while and you’ll not only have a great sense of accomplishment, but also a few bragging rights. The sky is the limit here.

9. Make a Budget

Crises such as the COVID-19 Pandemic are often tied to an economic crisis as well. Dealing with financial hardship is tough enough, and is only exacerbated if you don’t know what you’re cash flow is doing. Using a common tool such as Microsoft Excel, putting together a budget will let you know how much money is coming in and going out, put you much more in control of your finances, and allow you to make better decisions, both in the short and long-term. You are quite literally investing in yourself.

10. Stay in Touch and Reconnect with Friends and Loved Ones

Humans are social creatures, and while COVID-19 has driven us apart, technology has given us an astounding number of channels to stay connected with friends and loved ones, including telephone, email, Skype/Zoom/FaceTime, social media, and much more.

Imagine how ecstatic you’d be if a friend or loved one you haven’t spoken with in a long time contacted you out of the blue. Take the initiative and reach out. It will give both of you a great boost.

11. Organize Your Living and Work Spaces

A cluttered space equals a cluttered brain. It’s been scientifically proven that people with tidy work spaces are much more productive and efficient than those with messy work spaces. Take 5 or 10 minutes at the end of the day to tidy up your desk so you’re starting with a clean work space in the morning. Do the same thing at home. Your happiness and productivity will thank you.

12. Try Something New and Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Have something you’ve always wanted to, but haven’t had the courage to try? What better a time to try it than right now? Getting out of your comfort zone is great stimulation for your mind, and can even make you some extra money if you play your cards right, which leads right into the final point.

13. Start a Side Business

We could all use a little extra income, especially in these tough economic times. Starting a business is the ultimate investment in yourself. There are so many side businesses that can be started for little or no money. You can tie as many of the first 12 investments in yourself as you want when you start your side hustle.

Read up and learn about how to run a business. Put together a budget. Be creative in what you offer. Set goals for the business. Tell all of your friends and loved ones about your new venture. If you’ve never run a business before, it will definitely get you out of your comfort zone. And who knows, maybe it’ll take off and you can quit your day job and enjoy the ultimate freedom: being your own boss.

Bonus: Get Out and Travel. It’s the Ultimate Way to Invest in Yourself.

Okay, I know, this isn’t really something you can do during the pandemic. Once Covid is over, traveling is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. You’ll meet different people, see really cool sights, experience different cultures, and learn how to solve problems in a whole new way. I’ll write more about this later, but I believe that everyone should travel abroad and observe their home country from the outside. I’ve done it many times over the past five years, and it’s always an enlightening, enriching, and eye-opening experience.

Investing in yourself is one of the best things you can do, especially during a time of crisis. It’s one of the best return-on-investments out there, and you’ll enhance both your character and your career in the process.

Top Photo: Exploring the Saguaro National Park Backcountry
Tucson, Arizona – February, 2017

The post Invest in Yourself: 13 Easy Steps to Self-Improvement During the Pandemic appeared first on Matthew Gove Blog.