Becoming The New Jet Set

The term jet-set originated in the 1950′s through reporter, Igor Cassini, of the New York Journal-American who wrote under the pen name "Cholly Knickerbocker". Ironically, I had a chance encounter with his grand-son a few years ago while sipping a Bellini at Caffe Paszkowski in Florence one evening. I digress. Back to the jet-set. Originally, this term was to describe a fashionable, international social group, composed of wealthy people who travel frequently by jetliner to stylish destinations, exclusive parties and such. It's a wonderful fantasy for most, just jetting around from one location to another without a care in the world.

For Rob and I, the idea of jet-setting or being jet-setters is kind of, well, whatever. It's just not what we set out to become or promote. It's not who we are inside. We are not little silver-spoon, rich-kids with Daddy Warbucks footing our bill. We are not fancy-pants, over the top show offs that the word jet-set somehow describes. We don't have to fly first class, although it is nice to wake up from an overnight trip to a freshly made-to-order omelet, I'm not going to lie. But, we do however love to travel; we travel often and we do love to hit great destinations, cool hotels and sexy parties. So the original definition of jet-set only half-represented our lives.

That's why we created our own definition and call ourselves The New Jet Set. We are about spending our money on the things we absolutely love to do, on the places we love to stay and on the activities we know will give us a once in a lifetime experience. We don't spend just for the sake of spending. We are most likely not buying bottles of champagne to spray the crowd. We like leave that to the people who truly get enjoyment from that and there are always a few around.

The New Jet Set live life by their own rules. They don't fall for the trappings of societies "rules" of working 9-5, Monday through Friday for 50 years and cashing out. They don't skimp on everything now, with big plans for "when they retire". They're smart enough to save for a rainy day, but also realize that eventually it will stop raining. They begin checking off items in their Bucket List in their 20′s and 30′s and don't try to get it all done in the months before their last breath. Simply put, The New Jet Set doesn't live by anyone's rules except their own. They make no excuses for choosing to live their life on their own terms.

So how do you join The New Jet Set?

Rule #1: Take Responsibility and Control of Your Life. If you find yourself reading this and saying, "Must be nice." or "Wish I could travel all the time." or "You're so lucky." It's time for you to start taking responsibility for your life, your actions, your business and your dreams. Don't leave it to chance. And be damn sure you don't leave it for someone else to handle. Again...This is YOUR life. YOU are in control of it all. No matter your age, if you're 20 or 60, it does not matter. You can still create the life you want! Everyone goes through ups, downs and stresses in life. The ones that are successful learn to either control it or change it. The ones who are unsuccessful are usually the same people who blame others for the cards they were dealt or to chicken to try to make shit happen for themselves. Think of the Rags to Riches stories like Oprah Winfrey, J.K. Rowling and Richard Branson. They weren't dealt a great set of cards. Yet, they knew what they wanted, were willing to put in the time and effort to get it and never stopped till they did. Remember what you parents said, "Where there is a will, there's a way.".

Rule #2: Find something you love and do it. Obviously for Rob and I, it's traveling to chic destinations. But listen, if you absolutely love national parks and want to visit every single national park before you die, perfect! Do it! Being part of The New Jet Set doesn't have to be glamorous, it just has to be real. If lounging on a sun-bed all day at St. Tropez's Club 55 isn't for you, then don't just do it to show how cool you are. Find your authentic self and don't stray from that.

Rule #3: Be positive. People like positive people. Don't be the Debbie Downer that always has to talk about the problems they have, or they create. Keep focused on what you want. Keeping your self up-beat and positive is one of the most important parts of getting what you really want in life. I know, I'm giving all "The Secret" on you but it's really true. What do you think an high-diver is doing the night before the final rounds of Summer Olympics? I can tell you. He's visualizing a perfect dive, not a belly flop. Ask him what he's saying to himself when he's on that highest diving board with his heels hanging off the edge. Is he saying, "I can't do this, it's too hard, the other diver is so lucky because he can do it."? Hell No! He's focused on perfect form and having a great dive...and I promise you, he's only being positive.