Ask yourself -
"If I had all the money in the world, how would I live my life differently?"
Well, some people might just answer that with, "I want a big house, flash car, flat screen TV, swimming pool (insert endless list of material things) and to sit on my bum and drink and eat, party and get taxied around all day, oh and have people do everything for me." But most people, (I would like to think) would start doing what makes them happy everyday, things that make others happy. They would fulfill their dreams of traveling the world or getting a degree, starting their own company, help others less fortunate, or to finally be able to start and bring up a family.
For me, it might sound strange, but if I had all of the money in the world, I would still want to do exactly what I am doing. I might be able to achieve my goals a little quicker, which would be nice, or be able to fly home when I wanted to see my mum, but alas you also have to try and enjoy the journey while you are living it. And flying back and forth to Scotland would not be an ideal solution for my odd homesickness.
My journey, the short version- It started with photography which then led to an interest in Interior Architecture and Design. Drawing Floor Plans led to space planning and the combination of all these things, has then driven me towards 3D Modeling and now; 3D Laser Scanning. Pause. This is when I laugh.
My family industry/business background is laser scanning, surveying, manufacturing. It is ironic that with all of my ideas to pivot away from this industry, follow my own path, that was completely and utterly removed from said industry, to have actually looped full circle and found myself back to where I started. But this makes me very happy. I was lucky enough to go out and explore the world, find my own path, and not be pushed into something I didn't want to do. Growing up, I saw the technology as exciting but the industry, dare I say it? Boring. Dinner table conversations were about surveying, quarrying, mining, distances, measurements; so you can understand, this is not exciting or inspirational conversation to a teenager.
It wasn't until I could start to relate the technology to something that really interested me. Architecture, Interior Design and Photography. It would seem, the world is indeed, a small place and everything and everyone is intertwined. I feel that as technology advances, the world is going to become a much smaller place, where all industries connect and people, relate. This in turn helps with that odd homesickness. :)
"If I had all the money in the world, how would I live my life differently?"
I read the question again. If money were no object, I would allow myself to be educated as much as possible, not just in the terms of receiving a degree and to get that well paid job. For the degree is only a piece of paper and that well paid job is not guaranteed, and at the end of the day, you might despise it anyway. But I want to be educated for me, my benefit, for what I want to learn; my passions and my personal goals. A short course, a training session, a workshop, a convention. I think degrees are fantastic and I would probably do another, but they should be catered for the individual, not for the system. (More on this in a later blog.) The trick, is to keep on advancing yourself at every opportunity. I think the best thing we can get out of life, is knowledge. If I hadn't have been involved in those said 'boring' dinner conversations growing up, I probably would not know as much about laser scanning technologies as I do now. And surprise surprise, I have started to use this knowledge. Discovering what I really would change if money were no object has made me realize, I live to be educated, inspired, excited and passionate about what I do. Do not take anything for granted, learn from every situation, from every person, from every job you do, no matter what it is or who they are. For what you learn or who you meet along the way, will probably inevitably, help you in your future.
What would you do if you had all the money in the world? How would you live your life differently?