I just returned from an overseas trip to Germany and the Czech Republic. The time away gave me a chance to connect with my daughter (who was touring with her girl choir) and to reflect upon my professional life.
Life was hectic leading up to the day before departure, so I didn’t do much research on the two countries I was visiting. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise because as I traveled about, I had no preconceived notions or expectations and was open to everything I saw and learned.
Germany is an amazing country with a tattered history to say the least. While there are definitely reminders of the second world war everywhere you go in that country, Germany is so much more than what happened 80 years ago. These days, it is home to a vibrant and progressive culture with modern shops, dining, hotels, and business scene.
What impressed me most, however, (aside from all the castles 🙂 ) is that Germany is a debt-free country. They are responsible for bailing out Greece, something one of our tour guides praised while another dismissed as foolhardy. Regardless of local opinions, the fact that this country operates from a place of positive cash flow made me think about why entrepreneurs work as hard as we do.
To be in a position without debt is truly remarkable, whether you are a one-person show or a member of the European Union. Financial freedom is the siren call of so many people, yet so few ever realize…because it takes A LOT of discipline, hard work, and sacrifice. Germany did not get to where it is today without any of these, and neither will any entrepreneur. It is simply a fact of financial life.
The dollar is quite weak right now against the Euro, which made me pay extra attention to my spending while overseas. I had to convert everything in my head from dollars to Euros, and then dollars to Kronar, as I journeyed about. This experience alone is worth every penny you spend to take a trip to a foreign country because it forces you to truly think before you buy.
It’s no different for aspiring entrepreneurs. In the early stages of entrepreneurship, cash flow is a trickle at best. Learning how to do as much as you can with so little makes you appreciate the wealth when it arrives along with the value of what you do.
Managing cash flow well, being conservative, and investing in what matters most are three lessons I brought home with me from my trip to Germany and the Czech Republic. Have you had an overseas experience that really struck a chord with you? What travel lessons did you bring home? Please share your comments in the space below!
Onward!
