Free State Wyoming Forum
Prospective Free State Wyoming (FSW) Members and Interested Parties => Prospective Free State Wyoming (FSW) Members and Interested Parties => Topic started by: Jared on October 04, 2006, 01:48:59 PM
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I wrote this back in July of 2005, and the chart that I mention I started in April of that year.
There is truth in the cheesy phrase, "We all gotta have goals." Whether it be buying a home, going to school, learning to cook, or getting a high score on a video game - goals help keep us working hard.
My goal for a couple of years has been to move to the Black Hills. However, I found inertia is very hard to overcome. In theory, such a move should be easy - I am single w/o kids and don't own land. Quite easy to 'pick up stakes' right? This turned out not to be the case as the 'right' time never came:
"Well, one more year then I'll be fully vested in my 401(k)."
"Gotta wait a year for follow-up appointments for my LASIK"
"I should probably stick around 'til my brother graduates ..."
and so on and so on ... as you can imagine, these reasons could continue indefinitely.
I remembered something from school about goal-setting, and thanks to the net I re-learned the acronym of S.M.A.R.T. It's a method for clearly defining your goals:
S- specific
M- measurable
A- attainable
R- realistic
T- timely (you'll also see 'tangible', but I like timely better since I think deadlines are more motivating. Also, tangible seems too close to specific, which is already covered)
I decided the easiest way to make moving fit that goal worksheet was to tie it to money. I calculated a dollar amount based on what would make me feel comfortable in a move of this sort. This money would cover moving expenses, set-up costs in the new town, and also provide a cushion for the shock of a lifestyle change (i.e. I'll be making less money in the new town).
A dollar target is specific, obviously. It's measurable - just look at your bank statement. It's attainable - based on my finances, I can continue to save for this and still meet my other investment goals (IRA, etc.). It's realistic because my current savings account could be used as a headstart on the total. I set the deadline for late 2006, thus making it timely.
Being a dollar goal, it made me think of church fundraisers where they've got the big poster up front and fill it in with marker as the donations come in. A company I used to work for kept a similar poster to measure our progress towards a yearly vacation - if we were going to Hawaii that year, there'd be pictures of fish and palm trees all over it.
So I made my own!
(http://www.binaryexposure.com/jaredw/images/chart.jpg)
It's fun to fill it in as I save. Plus now it's exciting to be close to the goal.
Having the poster in a visible place makes it easier to resist spending money on random things, because I'm reminded that they can be better spent.
At the end of March of 2006 I reached that goal, and May 10th I arrived in Wyoming with all my belongings.
I remember hearing some vauge stirrings about the Free State Project several years ago, but nothing that really spoke to me. Looking back, my biased hindsight tells me it's because I never would have considered living on the east coast. :D
Then an online friend mentioned Molon Labe in the Winter of '04 and I was transfixed by the idea! It was right before it was published and I was like a kid waiting for Christmas as I kept checking the mail for it to arrive. I read it several times, joined the Yahoo group, and scheduled a road trip for that summer with a buddy of mine.
We did the I-90 route, over to Mt. Rushmore and then back through Cody and Yellowstone. I had an awesome time! I was basically already hooked on the idea and the trip in person was just to officially "see it" before committing 100%. My buddy liked Montana better but he just mainly wants to get out of the city and is less concerned with the idea of a free State. But he might still come around. :)
Then the excuses set in, as you read above.
But, I made that plan and stuck to it and now here I am!
There were definite setbacks along the way - soon after I made that July post about the chart I broke my leg quite badly and had to pay about $4000 in medical bills. Still, avoiding frivolous expenses can really add up. I started logging my finances in Quicken as another subtle reminder to keep a close eye on my outlays. It took just over a year to reach my goal once I buckled down.
I kept that chart on my bedroom door, and towards the end of each month I would start getting excited to be able to fill up another section.
I wanted to keep the money very liquid since I am planning on using it to buy my own place once I arrive, and so I just kept it in CD's. No the interest wasn't great but for the short term I figured it was better than just a savings account.
In the bigger picture, I probably could have gotten here a lot sooner. But in my particular case this is what it took to kick me in the ass. And that's what counts, IMNSHO. ;)
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Hi Jared! :)
Good Show!! I'm going to make sure that Renee reads your post above and that we sit down often to assess and reassess our goal/plan to make it to Wyoming! If you can do it anyone can..just a matter of PPP (planning, priority, perceptions). Keep in touch to let us know how you're doing (still looking for land in Crook County on our side).
Yours In Liberty! ~W~
Steve Kristmann aka NorthGunner
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I cant say I had an "organized" move here. In fact, I came here pretty much on the skin of my teeth! I have nothing but Friends and God to thank for the streangth they gave me in tough times. As many probably have read elsewhere, my car broke down along the way and I had to buy a truck to finish my trip.
What I really did, was save up as much money as I could, gave my two weeks notice at work (which solidified my egress plans).
Determination was a VERY important factor. I could've easily given up and gone back home when my car broke down. But I didn't. I actually had a dream while I was staying over at a hotel when my car broke down, an image of Wyoming's plains, mountains, forrests canyons and bluffs. It was enough to inspire and encourage me the rest of the way. Also a good friend of mine gave me much needed encouragement and prayer.
It WAS a rough trip, but the rewards are limitless. I am now a FREE MAN! Which is more than I ever could have become in New Jersey.
So whatever anyone may think, put your money where your plans are, set it asside. Get a DEFFINATE Date of departure, and be determined to carry it out.
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Jared, many thanks for the inspirational synopsis of your trek!
What I think was most important to your success was the
constantly repeated poster of your own Wyoming vision.
What we focus on, we attract to us.
With the focus you put into your relocation, it simply had to happen!
I've used photos for dream focus many times, and it works.
Imagine clearly, dream concretely.
Begin today, as Life has a habit of simply slipping away from us all.
Boston
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I believe Jared's post explemplifies what I've said before:
There's a huge difference between WANTING to do something and PLANNING to do something.
Wanting:
I want a new car someday.
I want a new career.
I want to move to WY!
Planning:
I'm saving up my money by reducing my expenditures. At this rate of saving I'll have enough for the car I want in X months.
I'm going to start training in the Autumn for a new career in (fill in the blank).
I'm fixing up my house to put it on the market. I'm exploring employment opportunities in WY and sent in several applications already. I'm setting up a cash fund for those one time expenses of moving. I should have this all together by the 1st quarter of 2007.
See? Jared had a plan. He implemented the plan. He's in WY.
Wanting on the other hand is just wishing. Wishing doesn't change reality, but planning does.
Mac
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Great post, Jared! And poster!
Maybe one day soon my wife and I can tell you what Eddie told the gunslinger, "Michigan seems like a dream to me now," which is from the song, "America" I believe. Many more will make the trek, no doubt, "gone to look for America," although in our case, "heading west" has other connotations than it did in King's saga.
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I'm all for planning and goal setting. Our thoughts and words DO create our reality.
But, my move to Wyoming was simply on a wing and a prayer, fueled by an incredible desire and need to live free, and OUT of California.
I had to count on other people, so my plans had to remain fluid. I was lucky enough to sell my house for enough to make the move and buy a house here in Wyoming, and that made all the difference.
Other than that, it was by the grace of God and dumb, blind luck - not failing to mention the help and love of the folks already here..
I'd say, don't wait for all the perfect plans to come together! The more complex they are, the less likely it will all happen. Find out what the minimum is to make your move at all possible and run with it!
Jared's plan was fairly simple, and elegantly carried out. Bravo!
MamaLiberty
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Bump for post-jam interest.
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I've thought about this a lot in the last year, and was just describing it to someone else.
Seems the most important step is to seriously evaluate just WHY you want to move to Wyoming (or anywhere else). Set down the pros and cons in writing, the best you can. Get your questions answered so that is as complete as possible.
Then make up your mind. If you have doubts, resolve them as much as you can first. If you are not close to 100% sure the move is what you want and need, keep thinking and looking at the doubtful factors. This is especially true for those with a family, of course. Us loners can fudge as much as we want.
Don't hesitate to ask questions of those who have already traveled that path.
Get your affairs in order the best you can. Make the best plans you can. Save your money.
Then just DO it.
There will be problems, glitches and headaches. Count on it. Just keep remembering why you came and the worse problems you left behind.
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Thanks Jared & MamaLiberty! Glad this one came up from the basement - neat idea! Now I have a use for the zillions of pamplets etc I brought back from Wyoming. :) I even have the poster board here! Great project for myself & my son.
Yeah, you're right. We DO cook up lot's of things to 'stop us from living our dreams'... we limit ourselves much more than the world limits us and we each have a blind spot we can't see around.
My blind spot is that I can't figure a way to get my youngest son (tied to his mother's location) out there with me. I am not willing to leave him behind! Not sure if I can convince her to move... but I am gonna work on it! Giving her a disc of Wyoming pics tonight when I drop my son off at her place. She does enjoy travel... and said she wanted to DRIVE to the Grand Canyon, so we'll see. Just gotta show her a lot about Laramie / Cheyenne etc to show her the conveniences are there. (So long as they deliver hair spray by the tanker load she'll be fine. ;D ) Her work involves a lot of travel but dunno if she has connections that far west.
Jobs, for me not a problem and no excuse. I have a work van filled with tools and can roll up to any town and be swinging a hammer/painting/wiring/plumbing in short order. (Even without 'certification' there are plenty of people who need work done.)
Anyone of college age - GO NOW. Don't wait because of whatever job you have now - listen to what Jared said and trust this old man: IT GETS HARDER TO BREAK TIES THE LONGER YOU ARE TIED TO THEM. GO NOW! There are ten million more places out there that will also not miss you once you're gone. ;) (You ain't as valuable to them as ya think... and they ain't as important as they think. GO NOW!)
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Anyone of college age - GO NOW. Don't wait because of whatever job you have now - listen to what Jared said and trust this old man: IT GETS HARDER TO BREAK TIES THE LONGER YOU ARE TIED TO THEM. GO NOW!
A double amen to that, lunghd!
I have to ::) every time I hear a story how some unattached young man or woman is wanting to come to Wyoming, but has to do this or that first, etc. Boy, they have no clue how easy it is for them, compared to other folks. Jump into the river folks, the water's fine! Don't wait till you are married, or you will never get here. Contrary to popular belief, there are persons of the opposite sex in Wyoming, and they are already here waiting for you to show up! :D
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Contrary to popular belief, there are persons of the opposite sex in Wyoming, and they are already here waiting for you to show up! :D
Paul, I laughed so hard I nearly cried at this statement.
Anyone of college age - GO NOW. Don't wait because of whatever job you have now - listen to what Jared said and trust this old man: IT GETS HARDER TO BREAK TIES THE LONGER YOU ARE TIED TO THEM. GO NOW! There are ten million more places out there that will also not miss you once you're gone. ;) (You ain't as valuable to them as ya think... and they ain't as important as they think. GO NOW!)
Absolutely, lunghd! It takes a leap of faith (like a move to Wyo) to find out who's really rooting for you in life. Family, friends, coworkers who dissaprove or won't give you all the support in the world, then those ties weren't very strong anyway and should be broken. It's their loss, really; I'm the one with the sunshine peeking over the mountains through my window every morning!
Thanks for the story, Jared- great idea!