The Dutch have a saying: “He who is outside his door already has the hardest part of his journey behind him.” It’s one of my favorite travel quotes. The first step in any endeavor is always the hardest. It takes courage. You have to overcome your fears, and that’s not always easy.
I remember how hard it was to take the first step when I started traveling. I was scared and nervous. Would everything turn out alright? Once I got out the door, I realized there was nothing to worry about. It was all in my head.
The first step doesn’t need to be big. It can start at home by being a local tourist. Most people never explore their backyard, and doing so is the easiest way to get into the travel mindset.
Today, we’re launching a Travel Action Challenge on the community forums designed to help people take the first step. Having a supportive community behind you can make it a lot easier to take the leap and we want to be here to encourage and support you.
And in this challenge we’re encouraging you to become a local tourist.
Get out there. Explore your area. Do something new. Being a local tourist is a great way to stay in the travel frame of mind. Here are the details:
EXPLORE YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS
Travel starts at home. It doesn’t always need to be some big international trip, so come up with a list of five things in your area you’ve always wanted to do and do them!
When you live in a place, it’s easy to always think “I can do that tomorrow,” but tomorrow never comes. Between work, life, and everything in between, it’s easy to find that time has passed you by. Let’s change that. Being a local tourist can bring you a deeper understanding of your area!
Travel is about exploring something new — either in some foreign country or right around the corner — so get out there. Explore your home and tell us all about it!
HOW TO ENTER:
- Create a list of five activities in your area you’ve always wanted to do.
- Take a picture of yourself doing them.
- Post them here on the forum thread.
Winners will be chosen randomly but you can get extra entries for sharing your submission:
- Twitter (2 extra entries) with @nomadicmatt and #nmforumchallenge
- Facebook (2 extra entries) with #nmforumchallenge
- Instagram (2 extra entries) with #nmforumchallenge
- Pinterest (1 extra entry) with #nmforumchallenge
- Google+ (1 extra entry) with #nmforumchallenge
I’ll be putting everyone’s name in a spreadsheet and randomly selecting one to be the winner. Extra entries get your name on the spreadsheet multiple times!
WHO CAN ENTER:
The challenge is open to all forum members 18 years old or older.
CONTEST PERIOD:
The challenge runs from October 23 to November 15, 2014.
THE AWESOME PRIZES:
- 1st prize winner gets a trip-planning call with me, a signed copy of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day, and my complete e-book collection (city guides included)! (1 winner)
- 2nd prize winners get my entire e-book collection (city guides excluded)! (3 winners)
BONUS CHALLENGE:
- Create a video (under 3 minutes long) about how to save money in your home town.
- Upload your video on YouTube and link it to the challenge thread so we can all see it.
- Each person who creates a video gets a budget city guide of their choice.
Bonus Prize: The person who creates my favorite video gets an hour trip-planning call with me and my book, The Ultimate Guide to Travel Hacking.
So that’s the challenge! Get out there, explore your area, and win some cool prizes!
Some other bits and bobs…..
T-Shirts
Last year, I ran a Kickstarter campaign and made t-shirts as part of the backer rewards. I ordered extra when people asked for them but I still have some around if you want one. There are two versions: Nomadic Matt shirt or a “Keep Calm and Travel On” shirt. 
They are available in all sizes and make for great workout or travel shirts. You can click here to order one ! (They also make great gifts!)
