The Confidence Guy

Wired into Truly Confident Living

Apr 26

Going Dutch

Career & business

Amsterdam here I comeSo, it looks like I’m going to Amsterdam after all.

Just recently I told you how I turned down an offer from a leading digital agency based in Amsterdam.  Well, the idea of going out there never strayed far from my thoughts, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that there’s always something interesting in those thoughts that just won’t budge.  So I kept on talking with them, met with them a couple of times and I shot to the top of their most wanted list.

Then I thought, what the hell.

So all things being equal, this time next week I’ll be living and working in Amsterdam; for a couple of months to start with but if there’s another thing I’ve learned it’s that anything can happen.

I’m both scared *and* excited, which is a cracking combination and something I’m always advising people to seek out (unless the terror and exhilaration is because you’ve been asked to become the world’s first inside-out astronaut).

My hesitation around my health is still there and still valid, but if there’s yet another thing I’ve learned (is this “things I’ve learned” thing getting tired yet?) I can always make a decision that serves me well.  If my CFS flares up I’ll deal with it, just like I have in the past.  It’s not a question of finding the courage to do this, it’s simply a question of using and applying everything I’ve learned.

What I need is to live in colour, not in shades of grey or black and white as I have been in an effort to “contain” my health.  That means adding extraordinary value to you, and it means freelancing in ways that work for me, not against me.  It also means having more fun than a kid who owns every toy in the Whole Wide World because he’s just been elected Lord of Toys, is invited to every Birthday party for the rest of time and can have a bite of any cake he sees.

I have to make choices that reflect what matters to me.  My health matters, but my life matters more.

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11 Comments »
  • http://kazoofus.com KathyHowe

    WOW! Sounds exciting!

    I kind of think that if you don’t LIVE well you can’t really ever FEEL well. And hiding under a rock never taking any chances is not living well.

    Go get ‘em!!!
    .-= Check out KathyHowe´s last blog…Doctors orders. =-.

  • http://getconfidence.org Get Confidence

    That’s the spirit,

    At the end we will regret what we didn’t more than the mistakes we made.

    Thank’s for an inspiring post
    .-= Check out Get Confidence´s last blog…To get confidence in business =-.

  • Stoorm

    Yeah, what the hell .. i want to support this act of calculated adventure, you will keep posting right? :)

  • Tony

    Steve,

    Congratulations to you for making what sound like the right decision. You said it with the “scared AND excited” comment. Anything that makes you feel like that is certainly worth pursuing. (I felt the same way about my current girlfriend <==good decision) Anyway, I am happy to see you approach this with such zeal. Nothing wrong with changing your mind if it leads to the right choice. I look forward to hearing about your experiences! Cheers!

    Tony

  • Steve

    @Get Confidence: Well said, thanks.

    @Stoorm: My friend, of course I’ll keep posting. I’m sure I’ll be learning a lot as I adjust, so I’m expecting a few lessons to present themselves!

    @Tony: Hehehe, good work with the girlfriend buddy! Love your line “nothing wrong with changing your mind if it leads to the right choice” – exactly.

  • http://janebradbury.com Jane

    Congratulations Steve! See, I told you that living with a bit of a problem is one step at a time, and that you’d cope. And you have – with style! I am chuffed to bits for you :o )

    Amsterdam’s not a million miles away from England, we’ve been over on the overnight ferry. Maybe in the coming months we might find time for a coffee!
    .-= Check out Jane´s last blog…Addin Borders To Your Photos In PaintShop Photo Pro X3 =-.

  • http://janebradbury.com Jane

    Damn, I forget I don’t need to draw out the smiley with a nose :)
    .-= Check out Jane´s last blog…Addin Borders To Your Photos In PaintShop Photo Pro X3 =-.

  • Steve

    @Jane: Cheers Pam, appreciate the comment :)

  • http://crpitt.blogspot.com/ Claire

    I have followed you on twitter for a while now, but never took the huge leap of pressing the link to visit your blog. Well okay its not a huge leap, but twitter makes me lazy or something.

    I have had a good nosy round, seen more of you than I expected (what the hell! hehe) and really enjoyed what I have read.

    I have had CFS since I was 16 or whatever the hell the doctors eventually decide it is.

    Scary and exciting, I think Amsterdam is going to be amazing and good on you for taking that leap out of your comfort zone.
    .-= Check out Claire´s last blog…Medieval Malarkey in Edinburgh =-.

  • Steve

    @Claire: Social media does make you kinda lazy sometimes doesn’t it?! Glad you had a nosy round the place (sorry for any shock that occurred as a result), and so pleased to hear from another CFS-er. The Doc’s drive me crazy too, and in the meantime we just do what we can to manage it. My body’s aching like crazy and my eyes want to shut as I write this, but what’s important is that I’m doing what matters.

    So good to have you here Claire.

  • http://crpitt.blogspot.com/ Claire

    I blame social media, but really it is me. I have had to resort to bookmarks and favouriting the tweets that I want to go back and read.

    You are spot on about doing the things that matter to you, some things are worth the tired, so bloody tired, tiredness :)
    .-= Check out Claire´s last blog…Medieval Malarkey in Edinburgh =-.