Fisherman in Seattle

How far will you go?

Are you willing to change your boundaries to make a difference?

I am talking about physical distance, and how being accommodating to it can improve your career.

When I was young, the 8 miles to the “City” of Middletown, NY to go grocery shopping seemed “Far”.  I went to college 2 hours from home, and I got used to the occasional 2 hour drive to home.

Later, while commuting in New Jersey, a rather unpleasant driving experience, I realized it didn’t matter how I felt.  I needed to get places, and it would be difficult!

As such, I accepted the things I could not change.  Things like: Traffic jams, long commute times, and so forth.

I adjusted my attitude to be positive about what I could adjust.  I could get up earlier, beat the traffic, and have time to relax before work!  I could listen to books on tape, or a radio station, to kill the time going home.

I took a job in NYC and commuted an hour plus each way by New Jersey Transit commuter rail, to avoid having to drive!  I sat down on the train, and arrived.  Way less stressful!

This approach can give benefits at work.  My first job I was asked if I would fly to Alabama to support data collection on a gas turbine.  Sure! Why not! I learned a lot about the great people in a very different place. I also got to experience business travel.

When I joined Microsoft in 2006, I took a travel job. Premier Field Engineer is a role to support enterprise customers for both break-fix onsite support, as well as proactive training, and dedicated remote support.

The travel was good! How else could I ever experience the Chain of Rocks bridge near St. Louis, Missouri for example! How would someone self-select Bartlesville, Oklahoma?

The work I did and distance I traveled rounded me out as a person.  From my job history, I have authority in my current role about different industries, geographies, and approaches to solving problems.

I have the benefits as well, of working with great customers that have locations around the world.  The travel and people I met have helped me be very productive with people and cultures around the world.

As always, family should come first, and have those discussions as needed.

So the next time you’re asked if you would like to travel for your company, or in a new job, DO IT! You may learn something great about another place, and learn something about yourself.