I have the tendency to be either all-in or all-out on things with no in-between. Either I care deeply and I’ll do anything for the cause, or I go on autopilot and conserve my energy and attention for things I actually care about. I’ve been able to accomplish some pretty incredible things with my dedication and perseverance, so I recognize there is power in harnessing this energy. For example, I was able to play college basketball as an undersized and relatively unskilled player. I was successful not because I was more physically gifted than my peers, but because I simply outworked everyone.
I’ve taken that attitude into other aspects of my life with mixed results. Whether in romance, exercise, or business, I expected that I could simply effort my way into success. Sometimes, effort is the number one factor in achieving a goal. However, there are many other factors too and I discounted them when I wanted something. That’s where my perseverance became a liability. My efforts would have been better spent in pursuit of a more realistic goal.
Here at Suan Sati, I have a seemingly endless wellspring of energy and motivation to make this venture successful. A large part of my drive comes from witnessing the positive impact we’re having on our guests. Another part is rooted in fear – if it doesn’t work, I may have to leave Thailand and this lifestyle I adore for good. Another growing part of my drive is the desire to provide a nice life for my family. I agonize each year over setting prices that reflect a balance between offering outsized value for our guests while allowing our family to live a modest, middle-class lifestyle.
With all that in play, I put in long hours and hold oceans of information in my mind, trusting that my perseverance and care will drive us forwards towards success. At times, it’s heavy knowing that I’m responsible not only for our guests’ experience, but also for the wellbeing of our burgeoning Thai staff and my own family. You’ve got to really, really love this work and this lifestyle to go through the difficulties we’ve been through over the years – COVID, embezzlement, broken friendships, operating at a financial loss, and the strain it’s sometimes put on our relationship. I do love it, and I’ve never thought about giving up no matter how dark the outlook. My hard head has gotten me into plenty of trouble in the past, but this time, it’s helped to unfold the most beautiful chapter of my life so far.
