Even the top executives of Google don't shy away from quitting their jobs for the love of travel. Last year, Google's ex-CFO Patrick Pichette left the tech giant to go globetrotting with his family. At the time of his leaving announcement, Pichette wrote the most unconventional notice that warmed millions of hearts worldwide. The first half of his memo read: After nearly 7 years as CFO, I will be retiring from Google to spend more time with my family. Yeah, I know you've heard that line before. We give a lot to our jobs. I certainly did. And while I am not looking for sympathy, I want to share my thought process because so many people struggle to strike the right balance between work and personal life. This story starts last fall. A very early morning last September, after a whole night of climbing, looking at the sunrise on top of Africa - Mt Kilimanjaro. Tamar (my wife) and I were not only enjoying the summit, but on such a clear day, we could see in the distance, the vast plain of the Serengeti at our feet, and with it the calling of all the potential adventures Africa has to offer. (see exhibit #1 - Tamar and I on Kili). And Tamar out of the blue said "Hey, why don't we just keep on going". Let's explore Africa, and then turn east to make our way to India, it's just next door, and we're here already. Then, we keep going; the Himalayas, Everest, go to Bali, the Great Barrier Reef... Antarctica, let's go see Antarctica!?" Little did she know, she was tempting fate.

I remember telling Tamar a typical prudent CFO type response- I would love to keep going, but we have to go back. It's not time yet, There is still so much to do at Google, with my career, so many people counting on me/us - Boards, Non Profits, etc.

But then she asked the killer question: So when is it going to be time? Our time? My time? The questions just hung there in the cold morning African air.

Tabloids called his message "powerful", for the simple reason that Pichette realised that he had served a good number of years working and that the time had come to pursue his dreams. More like his wife's dreams. He, therefore, bid goodbye to a hefty paycheck of $5 million dollars and began exploring the world with his family.

Pichette realised that since his children had grown up and moved on to find their ways in life, it was now time to fulfill the promises he had made to his wife.

Pichette's adventures.

In the last year alone, Pichette has achieved what his full-time stint at Google wouldn't have otherwise allowed him to. He first participated in an Ironman competition with his daughter in Canada, followed by a visit to Burning Man, and ending that on a "high" note by rock climbing his way up at Yosemite National Park in California.

Pichette also took flying lessons!

And soon began the exciting adventures that took him and his wife to Nepal amidst the Himalayas, perfectly cushioned by two separate visits to India.