So, why did I jump at this opportunity to teach in Korea? Well, before applying for the position, I asked myself a couple questions. “In one year from now, where do I see myself?” “Where do I see myself in 5 years?”

Currently, I have a job clerking for an options firm; I like the job, but it’s not a career. If I stay on this path and prove myself competent enough, then I could become an options trader myself. Rad. However, this takes time. Some of my peers have been with my company for over 2 years and they’re still doing the same tasks that I started out doing 3 months ago.

In one year from now, I’ll most likely be showing up Monday morning with my weekly bagels in hand and carrying out the same daily tasks which I currently do.

Albeit, there’s certainly nothing wrong with this scenario. After a year, I’d have a greater comprehension of options theory and gained more face time with the company partners. My salary wouldn’t be any different, but I’d also be higher on the road to trading totem pole.

When we look 5 years down the road, it’s foggy. Maybe I’m trading options. Maybe I’m making the big bucks. Maybe I’ve settled into a steady career. That would be good. However, this 5 year plan contains a lot of maybes and what ifs. If I’m successful, then that’s great. But what if I lost hundred grand and I’m back to doing nothing all day. So what?

I’m a frugal individual, but I think about money a lot. I don’t know why. Slow steady investing can be the road to retiring a millionaire. I understand this. But, what if I had a million bucks tomorrow? How would my life be different? I don’t know. What would I do with all that? Should I buy a Z06 Corvette?

Peter Gibbons: What would you do if you had a million dollars? …
Lawrence: I’ll tell you what I’d do, man … Well, what about you now? what would you do?
Peter Gibbons: Besides two chicks at the same time?
Lawrence: Well, yeah.
Peter Gibbons: Nothing.
Lawrence: Nothing, huh?
Peter Gibbons: I would relax… I would sit on my ass all day… I would do nothing.
Lawrence: Well, you don’t need a million dollars to do nothing, man. Take a look at my cousin: he’s broke, don’t do shit.

Let me tell you, I tried doing nothing for a year and I got bored. Those who know me, know that I get bored easily. I try my best to adapt to the boredom, but being bored just bored me too much. I need to have something to keep me busy. Peter Gibbons found a job doing manual labor.

I’ve always had this desire to go to Korea. When I was in ROTC, I thought about being stationed there. But now, I have this seemingly long term commitment to options trading, which may or may not pan out the way I’d like it. I’m going to Korea now, because I think there will never be a better time. In one year, taking this opportunity would be less advantageous if I’m to pursue options trading. In five years, who knows what I’ll be doing. I’ll certainly be five years older, and I don’t want to regret not doing this while I was younger.