The Flight Risk Factor

I am a flight risk.
How fantastic is that? Other people fear that at any given moment I may just drop everything in pursuit of some far fetched dream in any distant location – across the country or across the ocean.

As I prepared to leave my beloved life in Camarat, I kept my bank account open. It crossed my mind as I did so that it might be foolish. At the time, I planned on returning – perhaps taking that boating job… or perhaps I left it open as an additional incentive to go back. But my life changes – my dreams change – so rapidly, I ought to have known that I cannot afford any ties… especially ties that cost 10€ each month.

My flight risk factor is also why I cannot return to France. If I go back this summer, no employer in the future is going to hire me in their right mind. I may work for a couple months, enough for that firm to invest in me, then drop all and go away. It’s not necessarily a good thing.

As it were, I was doing competitive research the other day for some new business. Apparently my firm hasn’t figured out I’m the last person to assign thtis kind of project to. In researching those who do similar things to my firm, I found future employers. I couldn’t help making a hand written note of these companies and how I could pitch myself to them and where they could take me… a note that I quickly folded up and stored away in my most personal pocket of my briefcase, of course.

I guess this characteristic of mine is another reason why I’m so anxious about joining the gym. Yes, I saved a ton of money by signing that two year contract. But even as I did so, all I could hear in my mind was, “What?! You’re kidding?! Stay in Boston for two whole years?!” But I did it. Because apparently I don’t learn from my mistakes.

I ought to know that I cannot be bound to long-term contracts. That was my problem with leases this summer. That is my fear of commitment. That is why, no matter how much I love this job or this city, I know as soon as I discover an opportunity in some city I never thought I’d live in – Montreal, Chicago, D.C., whatever – I am going to take it.

I just need some experience, money and roommates first…