Panama Expat Life: 3 Frogs on a Fence
Taking the Leap: When Thinking Becomes Doing
I often repeat the short but impactful story about 3 frogs on a fence:
There are 3 frogs on a fence. One exclaims, "I am thinking about jumping off this fence. I am tired of sitting on this fence!"
How many frogs are on the fence?
Three, because thinking is not doing.
There comes a point where you have watched all the Panama expat YouTube videos, joined and asked all your questions in the Facebook groups, discretely chatted with friends and select family members, assessed your finances and belongings, and now have a decision to make. But what gets you over that hump? What makes you get up and start executing? It is different for everyone, but for myself, whenever I am contemplating such a decision, I repeat to myself:
"Worst, worst, worst case, I can always go back."
What is the worst thing that can happen? In the worst case, you head back to the US or the country you came from and have a new experience to digest. But the actual worst case is you do not do anything. You remain as a frog in a pan that is slowly heating up and decide to stick it out. You hear stories from couples and friends who made the move and, although not perfect, are figuring it out. But you decided not to figure it out. You decided to continue to run with the herd—work, go home, repeat—in hopes that one day, someone will present you with a golden ticket of financial freedom.
So, don't be a frog on the fence. Be the one who jumps. The water might be cooler, the view might be better, and the experience will certainly be richer. Panama awaits those who are ready to transform thinking into doing. Your adventure doesn't begin with contemplation—it begins with that first step off the fence. What will your story be? The one who thought about it, or the one who lived it?
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