Of all of the newsletters I’ve subscribed to, yours is my favorite.  How do you do it?

I’ve found your Income Reports very helpful.  A sizable amount comes from iPhone applications.  Please share a bit more about that.

One of your keys to success has been multiple income streams.  What tips do you have for the readers who want to grow this area in their business?

How do you manage your time between sites, products, and building applications?

If you don’t believe it can happen, it never will.

Be in touch with Pat!

One question I absolutely want you to ask yourself is this:

Is Faster Better?

Carl Honore, author of the international bestseller In Praise of SLOW; How a Worldwide movement is Challenging the Cult of Speed ascertains,

“If we are ever going to slow down, we must understand why we accelerated in the first place.”

Historically speaking, each new wave revolution of technology has come with one promise:  this will make your work faster, so you can have more time off. From past presidents to TV commercials, speed offers the payoff of more pleasure and increased leisure time.  But, for most of us, the addiction to speed has not paid off. Instead of achieving more pleasure, we are simply feeling more pressure.  We feel pressure to produce, to keep up, to achieve at a super-human rate, and regardless of the latest trends in technology, we are not seeing the payoff.

Life In The Fast Lane

In fact, Americans are working harder than ever.  In recent surveys, the average Western Worker has dramatically increased their hours over the last thirty years.

The double edged sword of technology is this: while new technology is becoming faster and more affordable, we are becoming more accessible, and the ability to work all hours of the day is increasingly easier.  Where most folks used to go and clock in and out of the office, now we are carrying the office around with us in our PDA’s and laptops.  Scarily, the line between work time and play time is fading fast.

Fast as a Lifestyle Choice

When we move at record breaking speeds, someone else is always in our way.  People become an irritating nuisance and are simply just slowing us down.  Busy people are always preoccupied with “What’s Next” and rarely have time to sit and focus, or have a relaxed conversation.  They might be there in person, but they are forever checking off their mental To Do list in their head and fidgeting with their PDA or cell phone.  As I was reading Honore’s book on becoming slow, two profound phrases popped into my head:

1. Fast people aren’t happy.
2. Busy people are tired.

With priding ourselves on getting everything done at warp speed, and busying ourselves from a.m. to p.m., we have become a society of unhappy and tired people.  Oh. My. God.  This brings me back to Honore’s original question… Why the accelerated pace, in the first place?

Quality of Life

The original idea, in and of itself, makes sense.  If we speed up processes (products, goods, technology, convenience items), we will have more time to ultimately improve our quality of life and have more time to enjoy them.  But here’s where we went Horribly Wrong:  We didn’t just speed up the processes, we sped up our WHOLE  LIVES. And, with anything, when a process is accelerated, the quality drops.  Not convinced?  Here are some examples to get your thinker thinking:

Food: processed food might be fast, but it is pumped full of salt, fat, and sugar to give it any flavor at all.  In essence, the sacrifice is less nutrition, and more calories, which lead to health issues and an early grave.

Sleep: Nowadays, people are getting less sleep.  With continued stress to perform more, and increased anxiety about work and deadlines, many people actually Cannot Sleep.  Insomnia issues are clearly related to stress, and the less we get, the more burnt out we will actually become.

Sex: Sorry folks, but if any of us are being realistic, a quickie doesn’t cut it.  Many relationships are failing simply because there is not enough time or energy left in the day to be intimate, or get it on.  Viagra?  Need I say more?

Safety: Yes, everything is moving faster, with that, more fatalities are happening.  When we don’t pay attention to what we are doing, we have accidents.

Vacations: If people are even taking them (most aren’t) it is the “let’s cram everything we can see in one or two weeks overseas”.  This leads to what I would like to call Museum-ittus.  You become a walking tour zombie, haunted by images of paintings in the night, and loathing the next ticket line or form of public transport.  Don’t even get me started on cobblestone and strollers.

Relationships: A fast and furious rush through the milestones of life isn’t what I call romantic.  And navigating through stranger’s photos or getting “Hello Sexy” IM’s on facebook is creepy.  What ever happened to good old fashioned romance?

Personal Development: We want overnight enlightenment, and will pay buckets to get it.  The bestselling books aren’t the ones that walk us through slowly, they are the “Tell me how to do everything quickly NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW!”  And, yes, they sell–but, no, they don’t work; because change is a slow and deliberate process.

The Slow Movement

We are not stupid.  We are starting to realize that this way of life isn’t cutting it.  This Mayhem Madness is not the Path to Enlightenment, and surely isn’t making us happy at the end of the day.  For this reason, many people are simply opting out. They are not putting on tie-dyed shirts and starting communes, and they are not sluggishly lying about in a fantasy world; they are simply redefining what is important to them, taking the time to slow down, and doing more of it.  My philosophy, exactly.

This book was a real eye-opener for me.  Not just finding out that people are sick of the game, but realizing that there is an Actual Movement of people that have sprung up all over the world that are collectively making a difference in their area of choice.  I’ll be sharing some of those links below for you to check out, but my main takeaway from the book is this:

The  idea of Time Management is not to go faster so you can cram more stuff in your day.  It is to be smart about your processes so you can increase the time you spend in meaningful activities, thereby improving the overall quality of your life.

Slow Resources:

More info on Slow:  The Slow Movement wiki-style

I loved this one, “The International Institute of Not Doing Much“

A gizillion Slow Resource Links from SlowPlanet.com:

http://www.slowplanet.com/blog/slow-links/

and, click here to buy In Praise of Slow.  It’s about $1.50 for a used copy and WELL worth your while.

Questions??  Comments??  What could you do more slowly?

Read the carnival posts, and then check out some more Location – Lifestyle – Nomadic posts below.  These are posts that I really enjoyed this month, and that others liked too.  Make sure you submit your posts for next month’s carnival by clicking here.  Read on, and enjoy your life, business, and travels!

Blog Carnival Submissions:

Simplicity is All About Abundance – Meditations on an Ugli Fruit

Carmen Bolanos from NuNomad explores the theory of abundance in our lives.  Are we missing what’s right in front of us because we are looking for something else?  Read this for insights on seeing the abundance that is in your life.

An Encounter With Cross-Country Vagabond Sean Robinson

Sometimes we happen upon people just when we need to.  Emily Gerson from Maiden Voyage had the opportunity to interview Sean Robinson who’s living the life of his dreams in a totally different way.  Check out her account of his adventures in this interview.

Introducing: State Lines for iPhone

Traveling across the country?  Cherie Ve Ard presents an app that you might find helpful.  Follow their adventures at Tales from Technomadia.

My Favorite Reads This Month:

Should We Really Strive for a 4 Hour Workweek?

Eric from My 4 Hour Workweek explores the concept of aiming for a reduced workweek.  Is this what we really want?  Is this what we should really be working towards?  Read more to find out…

Thoughts on Art-Making & Creating The Life You Want

Brought to us by Cath Duncun from Mine Your Resources.  This is maybe one of the coolest videos I’ve ever seen, paired with an inspirational blog that really gets you to think about putting your creative self out there.

High Points, Low Points, and The Perfect Trip

Chris Guillebeau from The Art of Nonconformity highlights some of the roller-coaster experiences of travel.  Is there such a thing as ‘the perfect trip’?  Read his opinion here.

13 Quotes to Inspire Nomadic & Location Independent Lifestyle

Need some inspiration?  Let’s face it, running a business remotely can be difficult.  Rasheed from Present Day Nomads offers some great thoughts of encouragement.

One Last Thought from a Beach Pillow I was Relaxing On…

Hope you have found these posts as fantastic as I have.  Thoughts?  Comments??  Leave ‘em if you’ve got ‘em!

I made a picture of myself with straight, highlighted hair.  I wore a suit skirt outfit with a collared shirt and fancy shoes.   I made comments along the side of this image like “long hair” or “get braces”.  In my picture, I had a briefcase and was smiling.

I looked down at my current status and sighed.  I was going to have to go from cargo pants, hoodies and flip flops to a whole ‘nother me.

I was going to have to change a lot…Or Was I???

Well, truth be told, I thought I had to.  I got the suits, the shirts, the briefcase, and went to the salon.  I started my business and went to networking events.  I had my perfect business cards and my first real website.  I got clients, speaking opportunities, and I got Noticed.

But not really in the way that I wanted to be…

Some part of me felt off.  It wasn’t really even something I could place at the time, but it was as though I was trying to be some “better” version of myself; but maybe not the right one.

When I packed my bag for Thailand, I can assure you there were no suites (other than bathing suits), no collared shirts, and my fancy shoes were a pair of Reef flip flops that I got on sale for $7.

While it took awhile, I slowly shed the seriousness of my past-professional-self, and started settling back into me. I started doing the things I used to love but had become a bit too ‘caught up’ to do before.

• I started diving again, climbing more, dancing, having wild nights out, letting myself enjoy a cold beer, and playing pool.
• My highlighted hair grew out and faded into its natural sun-streaked self.  My skin cleared, my mind cleared and my calendar cleared.
• I’ve spent the past 14 months traveling, writing, sunning, and generally enjoying life.

You can imagine my shock when I was contacted by Discovery Channel to be interviewed and featured on their show.  Even as I made arrangements, appointments and scheduled filming dates, I didn’t believe it was really happening.

I was going to be on TV??!!

We spent two days filming.  The first day was rock climbing.  This was a comedy of errors, trying to get ropes up, cameras up, crew members that were afraid of heights on the rock. Meanwhile, the host, Janet, and I were climbing (with one rope and only two people to belay).  We wrapped up climbing and I did my interview on the trail by the rocks that overlook the ocean.

Day two, the whole crew came to my place.  We filmed driving on my motorbike, which was a near disaster.  I haven’t ever had a passenger, and just learning to drive, I wasn’t quite ready for a camera crew to be following alongside in a tuk-tuk that was running me into oncoming traffic whilst filming.  We walked around the beaches, shopped and finished the day out with my birthday party at my friend’s restaurant.

My Old Self…

My old self would’ve been concerned with my hair, or what I would wear.  But for some reason I actually didn’t care at all.  For climbing, I wound my hair up, had an old pair of sweatpants that my friend gave me, and had on a $5 sports bra shirt.

The second day, we needed to pack quickly for the scene, so I wadded up a cheap beach dress and stuffed it into my bag.  That’s what I wore to the party, with a pair of $2 flip flops I bought from 7-11 six months ago.  I had on no makeup, and I simply let my hair down… in more ways than one.

The night was a fantastic success… and I felt a new sense of satisfaction… I could be famously myself.

I think the best part about this entire experience was that I knew every aspect was 100% me.  My biggest takeaways from this experience were:

• You don’t have to try so hard.
• The more you become yourself, the more people will seek you out.
• Trying to portray a perfect image is meaningless and exhausting.  At the end of the day, people want to be around someone who is relaxed, confident, and authentic.
• By leading an authentic life, you can become a true inspiration to everyone.

I’m very grateful for this opportunity and found it incredibly exciting as a Lifestyle Coach to be a guest on a world renowned travel and leisure show.  I’ll let you all know the details of when it is going to air, and hopefully you can check it out!  Thanks for your ongoing props and support!!

This month’s  mini-view comes from Mark Eckenrode, marketing expert, writer, and author of the blog site Eaten By Tigers.   Mark has a knack for telling it like it is, and sharing his thoughts from around the world.  He is a great example of someone living an unconventional life with a business that will travel.  Mark is making money while he travels… read on to find out how you can too….

How long have you been working remotely?

I’ve been working abroad for a little over a month now which is something I kick myself for. See, I’ve had the capacity to work abroad for several years now but for some knuckle-headed reason have only acted on the opportunity recently.

Please break down where your percentage of income is coming from…

I used to do a lot more one on one consulting, but when I knew I was going abroad, I shifted more towards special products and focusing on the membership site.

10% one on one clients via Skype

50% special projects – writing copy and helping clients with one time projects

40% membership site – offering more information for Do It Yourself types that want to learn more

*Mark shared with me that he runs his membership site through WordPress with a plug in through WishList.  His members gain access to additional informative pages.  They pay through Paypal which interacts directly with Wishlist.  I found this site that has many tutorials on how to set this up for your own blog:  http://member.wishlistproducts.com/.  If you are looking at enhancing your site and adding a revenue boost to your online business… this looks like a great way to go.  I will be adding this feature for a low monthly rate, as well and hopefully can answer some of your questions once it is done!*

Where do you spend the bulk of your time?

As I’m traveling, the bulk of my time is spent editing other writers that contribute to my membership site. Working the membership site is far easier than sitting down on a client project so I’m looking to shift things more in this direction.  I’m still not sure yet what the ideal worktime-to-income ratio is just yet for traveling. This needs more research which means… more traveling

What challenges or difficulties have you had while working abroad?

Definitely the internet speed and reliability.  What is considered hi-speed in Thailand is molassas compared to the States.  Also, just after I got here, my notebook’s hard drive corrupted.  I had to decide if I was going to get another one, or just work remotely from cafés.

I opted to go the cafe route which has it’s own issues. Many times the cafe internet is down, computers are full, viruses are on them, a slow network, etc.

The great thing about being a digital nomad is that all you really need is a PC and the internet. Problem is, relying on just two things to run your business can really put you in a crippling spot if one fails you.

What tips would you share with others about becoming a Business Backpacker and taking their career on the road?

Before I left, I was well trained to ‘want what I was told I should want’.  It took me awhile to realize that all the things I thought I had to stay for, I didn’t need to stay for.  In the long run, none of those things really even mattered.

Now, by being a Business Backpacker, the things I value most in life dictate how I work rather than the other way around.

So, advice-wise, I simply invite folks to examine whether or not the path their currently on is in line with fulfilling their personal priorities and sense of fulfillment.

What has been your favorite country to work in / live in so far?

For reliability, the U.S. Technology is simply more dependable there.

To work AND live… in Thailand, of course. Since being in Thailand, I’ve reevaluated what it means to work and questioned how I want to work. Life experiences such as this are far more important than whether or not I get to work on time, send that email, or am “connected”.

It’s funny. Since the tech in the U.S. is so dependable and always there, it also acts as a trap. Folks, or at least I did, fell into the
trap of “If I have a connection, I should be working.” That’s complete garbage but such an easy thing to get caught in.

Being location independent helps you fulfill your purpose by being free of the trappings… such as an always-on internet connection.

Please share some encouraging words to the readers

Coming here was a gift to myself.  For the longest time, I thought I didn’t deserve it. If I wasn’t meeting some bullshit baseline for success then I’d say to myself, “You’re not where you should be with your numbers/goals. Work harder and then maybe then you will earn the chance to go.” And then the harder I worked, the loftier my goals got.  It was a horrible catch-22 where I never felt like I deserved to get up and go. I didn’t think I was worth it or merited it.

I think what I would share with the readers is to live your life, and do your dream. Your life is worth more than any stupid report, a management defined goal, or any other ball and chain that says it’s more important than getting out there and interacting with the world.  You are absolutely worth it!!

Thanks, Mark, for sharing and I look forward to hearing more from you as you go!  Be in touch with Mark…

http://eatenbytigers.com/

http://twitter.com/ChaoticMark

To check out his membership and business sites, link to it here http://www.retechsource.com and http://www.homestomper.com

**and… if you’d like to see the video interview Mark did while he was visiting me in Thailand, you can view it here: Words of Wisdom From The Business Backpacker

Leave your questions or comments for us B E L O W….

I’m really excited because I’m realizing my readership has Gone Global! I’m getting comments from all over the U.S. and I’m recently getting more comments from overseas…  Japan, South Africa, England, the Netherlands and Finland.

So, for FUN, I thought it would be great to start an Open Forum to get some of you newer readers, or new to commenting readers talking.  I want this site to be an informative place to connect, so it would be great if you could say hello so others could link to you!

I have a few questions that I’d love your feedback on, feel free to answer one, or all, but please comment away.  You may not feel your voice is heard in other parts of the world, but all of your thoughts count here!!!

Questions…

Where are you from, or where are you living?

What topics would you like to see on this site?

Are there any questions you have about living / working abroad?

Help!  I can’t Name My eBook!

And… I’m VERY EXCITED to ANNOUNCE the release of my first eBook…  BUT I NEED YOUR HELP! I am having a really hard time landing on a Title for the book.  This one last glitch is delaying my release, and maybe you could help me decide? The topics covered are an overview of the consulting I do with my clients.  It shows how you can make personal changes in your attitude and actions related to time, money, behaviors, and structuring your business to live the life of your dreams!  Very fun stuff!

Book title options…..

Here are a few I’ve come up with, let me know what you like , or add a new one of your own!

• Return on Life:  Reclaim Your Business and Your Life!
• Living Your Dream: a guidebook to lifestyle mastery
• Lifestyle Design 101
• Building the Life You’ve Always Dreamed of

I’m really excited to Get People Talking more on this site, so Please Comment on any of the topics above, I’d really like to meet you & learn more about you!

Click below to comment :0)

Those moments have been reaching me, here in Thailand.  I have really begun to understand more about myself and the significance of finding myself in remote locations.  The process thus far has been challenging, emotional and ridiculous amounts of fun all blended together to make for an interesting and life filled journey.

While I want to be upbeat and inspirational about all of the wonders of travel, it would be unfair of me to leave out all of the challenges, fears, and shifts in mindset that I have had to overcome in order to make this journey possible. The point of sharing the following information with you is to highlight some of the darkness that I have had to go through in order to see the light.

Giving Up Everything & Facing My Fears

In order to go on this journey of self discovery, I had to give up many things. Initially, I focused on downsizing my personal belongings, but mostly, I had to give up my fears.  I remember before I left, I did not want to go even though with it, even though this is what I have always wanted to do.   In fact, some part of me was resisting the whole trip and carrying out all of the tasks I had to complete before I left became incredibly challenging.  In short, it came down to facing my fears and moving through pain of letting go.

My hardest challenge of leaving was the pain of leaving my dogs behind.  I have never in my entire life experienced something quite so difficult.  I found them a wonderful new home and know it was meant to be, but I still get extremely emotional every time I think of them and miss the comfort of having them around.

The second most difficult challenge was the uncertainty of what would become of me, and the fear of the unknown.  There are many things that can happen when you travel and once I moved past the initial exhilaration of buying a one way ticket to Bangkok, the firing line of questions began to kick in. 

What if I run out of money?

What if my clients all quit?

What if I get hurt?

What if I don’t get my visa?

What if, what if, what if…

I had the fear of knowing that I had to go far deeper into trust and faith than I have ever gone before.

Beyond Confusion

There are many moments of confusion trying to understand why I’ve been called on this journey that is so challenging.  But at the core of every challenge, I know that this is the right decision, and that I am experiencing remarkable amounts of personal growth. There are moments that I wonder why this is all happening.  And then I remember that I had to abandon logic in order to make this happen in the first place.  There are days that I wish were more meaningful to justify the fact that I left everything behind.  And then there are moments that take my breath away, and more and more I am experiencing a life filled with serendipity and joy.

Saving Your Own Life

Many books talk about saving your money, or saving your time; but more than anything, I now understand the significance saving your own life. There are dreams that only you have.  These dreams and aspirations are what keep you motivated, happy and inspired to learn more.  Often, we get sucked into the reasons (or excuses) of why to stay in our current situation, and talk ourselves out of our dreams.

There are so many reasons why I could have talked myself out of taking this journey.

1. I do not have a savings account.
2. I do not have the amount of clients I should have to take such an adventure.
3. I have debt I still need to pay off.
4. I am running a business.
5. I have family, and friends, and loved ones that I had to leave behind.

The truth is I was at a crossroads in my life.  I started to get a glimpse of living a life that was not my own.  Something needed to change.  I have been trying my entire existence to be true to myself and to fully understand what it is that I wanted to do and move boldly towards it.  I believe that everything happens for a reason – and so when I woke up knowing that I had to go, some part of me understood on another level that it wasn’t so much for myself, as it was to show everyone else that it was possible.

Embarking on the journey of a lifetime is a Big Step.  And part of being real about what you are about to face when you go after your dreams is to anticipate that you will go through major emotional ups and downs.  The good times are more than fantastic, life changing, even.  But in the down times, it is all too easy to question your existence and wonder if everything you are doing is in vain.

Handling Emotional Ups and Downs

The canyons that my emotions now swing between have grown in infinite miles.  My understanding of life and living – while it should feel like it is increasing, feels more childlike and adolescent.  Rather than feeling more attached to my surroundings, I feel less, and while it has created a wonderful feeling of freedom, sometimes there is a general feeling of displacement.  I suddenly belong nowhere and everywhere at the same time. Being location independent really does mean that you Don’t Have To Be Anywhere.

At first, this came to me as a slight panic.  Where is my Home?  Will I ever really Live Anywhere again?  How will I have Relationships?  Will I ever have a real Community?

Then, suddenly, it hit me:  The WORLD is my Home.  I now have the luxury of Going Where I’m Needed, and staying until it feels complete.  I am learning to find a balance between permanence and impermanence.  I am allowing myself to care without so much attachment and to rely more on my feelings and intuition.

Doubting Yourself and Your Career

I have talked to many business owners that go through a crucial period of self-doubt and questioning their career.  Most of the time when doubt kicks in, it is an opportunity to look closer at what your current situation is.  Maybe you like the field you are in but want to change the direction or focus.  Maybe you would be happier focusing on one particular part of your business and outsourcing or redefining your primary functions of your work.

Since I have been abroad, I have been able to spend the bulk of my time doing what I love.  I enjoy teaching, writing, building and sharing information, and building communities.  This took time, and in the process I felt rather lost and found myself swirling around questions and answers trying to redefine who I was and what was important to me.  I think doubt is a natural part of your growth process.  If you find yourself confused by where you are in your career, try spending some quiet time doing this exercise:

• What do I Love to do most in my career?
• When do I feel most accomplished with my work?
• What would I spend more time on if I had extra time in my day?
• How can I re-frame my business so I can spend more time in areas that I love?

Keep in mind that as your life changes, your answers will change.  Try to focus your days to encompass more of the activities that you love so that you can come out on the other side feeling empowered.

Coming Out on the Other Side

Lately, I have been struck by awe and wonder of how inspiring it is to
live a life directed by finding myself everywhere; especially while traveling
half way around the world.

I have been helped by strangers.  Befriended by many.  Taken to wonderful new places.  And all the while learning to remember what I enjoy and love, and attempt to rebuilding a life that embodies many more moments of joy and bliss.  I have been learning the art of nonattachment and trying to be free of expectations.  I am learning to refocus my time and energy on the parts of life that have inherent meaning.

I think it is a part of human nature to want to improve things, including ourselves.  Part of the process of coming out on the other side is accepting the idea that we will continually change and we can adapt our lives to fit our new lifestyles.  Keep in mind that as your circumstances change, your wants and needs will need to adapt.  Part of finding yourself is mastering the ability to let go of who you used to be and become exactly who you are meant to be right now.

I wonder how much more simple our lives would be if we were to embrace the idea of change.  I wonder if the moments of joy increase to the proportion that we allow ourselves to surrender to the process.

I wonder.

I nourish active rebellion  -Walt Whitman

Buy a One Way Ticket

I can’t explain the exhilaration of buying a one way overseas ticket. It is similar to having a wonderful secret.  Or winning a lottery that only you know about.  These days, I only buy one way tickets. Even if I know I might come back, I don’t buy the return.  It is just more fun not to.  At this point, I am happy to go somewhere and not make any plans for what I will do or how long I will stay.  In fact, the moment I do make plans, they fall through and I have to change things anyway.

Stop Making Plans

I am a planner by nature.  In fact, a major element of what I teach is goal setting and getting people to focus on.  However, after I arrived on this journey, I have learned it is good to have a focused path, but not to get attached to anything (including plans).  By not having expectations and limitations, it frees me to make more important decisions.  For example, if I am experiencing something that requires my attention, I can continue to spend focused time and energy on the situation.  This could be a working project, a friend in need, or just taking in a beautiful moment.  By going with the flow and seeing what happens, my life is freed.

Light Your Guidebook on Fire

My first day here I woke up early.  I was waiting for my friend Cody to wake up and eagerly paced the apartment, ready to conquer the city.  Bored, I picked up the Bangkok guidebook and thumbed through familiar sites that I had seen from my previous trip.  My friend must have felt my enthusiasm, looking at me with one eye, I was like a puppy ready to go out.  It didn’t really hit me until we had this discussion:

Me:  Do you want to go do something today?

Him:  Like what?

Me:  Well, we are in Bangkok…. We should go and Do Something.

Him:  Brooke, you live here now.  You don’t have to DO Anything.

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. ..

I didn’t need to rely on a guidebook to dictate my life.  Life was just going to happen and I was going to forever be a part of where I lived.

Since I’ve been here, some of the best travel moments I have ever experienced have been last minute, haphazard, thrown together adventures.  Each and every place I go, I stumble into a place to stay, serendipitously meet all the right people, and find my way to the next wonderful moment… all without a guidebook.

The Serendipity of Travel

When you learn to rely upon having no plans as a lifestyle, you get better at reading signs and having serendipitous moments. You will find that you meet people at the right times and they have information to share with you, or likewise, you have information to share with them.  I have experienced that if you lean to count on your intuition and instincts that you will experience more and more well timed moments of connection and have the feeling that you have arrived just in time…

Showing Up Just In Time

Traveling abroad can be an overwhelming experience.  Trying to sort out differences in language, arriving and staying at new destinations, dealing with passport and visa issues, and staying on top of running a business is trying, at best.  But if you can take time each morning to sit quietly and determine what you need to do, your plans will be assisted. Taxi rides that seemingly take too long will deliver you into meeting up randomly with a friend.  Going into a new restaurant you feel drawn to may give you the opportunity to make new friends and acquaintances.  You will begin to learn to trust your instincts and realize that you are a small part of a greater plan that is at work.

I cannot even count the numerous experiences I have had where I was in a situation that seemed to be stressful or unfavorable and inevitably it delivered me Just In Time to a situation where someone needed my help.

Try to look outside of your situation to see how you can be available for others. If you are relaxed, you will be more approachable and be able to possibly help many people in your path.  Just now, I am at the Bangkok immigration office.  My day has been challenging and stressful, full of paperwork, confusing lines and loads of forms.  I went outside to get a break from the noise and met two gals that looked more bewildered than me.  I was able to tell them where to go, what to do, and watch their bags while they were sorting out their documentation.  In a matter of minutes, they arrived back with big smiles on their faces.  Everything was sorted and they were on their way.  My mild inconvenience of getting here ‘late’ was immediately erased and I knew that I had arrived Just In Time to help them.

We’re Done Here

When we can let go of timelines, expectations, and itineraries, we free ourselves to be more available for others.  We will, in turn, find ourselves moving freely from one serendipitous moment to another.  We can arrive just in time to help out, find out new information, or share insights with people that are in need of our knowledge.  Learn to let yourself be carried away in the moments that surround you.  Interact with your surroundings and live by the theory that you are meant to have a positive impact on all of the people you encounter.  Look for ways to connect with others, and your life will be full of magic.  So when you find yourself stressed out by an agenda, remember this:  Break the rules and throw away your itinerary!  Instead, learn to live a life of magic.

“I had to run like a fugitive, just to save the life I live.”- Iron Lion Zion, Bob Marley

Our second  mini-view comes from John Bardos, author of the blog and websites Jet Set Citizen & YouCanTeachEnglish.com.  John and his wife are currently living in Japan and running their own English school, however, they  have a one year plan to free themselves from their small business and move to a new country.  Check out the following interview to see how John follows his own set of rules and encourages other lifestyle designers to ‘Stop consuming things and start experiencing life’.

How did you know you didn’t fit in to conventional society?

There is no reason why we should drive on the right side of the road or the left. The idea of getting a job and working at one company until retirement is only about three generations old and it is already dead. The concept of retiring at age 65 was created in 1935 with the Social Security Act in the U.S. Even that has to change because of the increase in average lifespans. Everything around us is just an idea. If you realize that, then it is easier to see that there is no set plan for life and we are free to do whatever we want.

I had many small jobs and little businesses since I was a child. Most of my friends didn’t work, but I always did. I never thought of it as being unconventional, I just made my own choices that perhaps were not common. I wasn’t the only one. Many people had jobs as children. My grandmother had to quit school in grade three to work on the farm.

In high school and university, many of my friends would go out drinking and partying every weekend. While that is fun on occasion, I didn’t want to spend every weekend like that. I wanted to focus on more productive tasks. I spent my time on pursuits I thought were more productive. I turned down many invitations to go out, and perhaps people thought I was strange, but I don’t think that following what everyone else is doing is “conventional.”

I attempted to start several businesses while I was in university and all failed. I graduated university at a terrible time, demographically . It was still at the end of the generation X boom so good job opportunities were scarce. Everybody started at the bottom with low salary jobs and slowly worked up the ladder. If I had graduated in the last decade, when jobs were plentiful, with many 20 somethings becoming executives of cutting edge companies, I probably would have worked at big firms and taken a more conventional job path. Those opportunities didn’t exist when I was graduating so I had to make different choices. I doubt I would have moved to Japan if I was making decent money in a job or from one of the businesses I started. In that sense, I also am a product of my environment. We all are. I don’t think I am doing anything strange, I think the rest of the world is crazy.

I knew I wasn’t going to work in a cubicle for some big company, so leaving to Japan was really the only choice I could make. I was in debt and had little chance of self-funding a business so I had to leave. It was the only way to restart. Basically, I took on a short-term consulting project and when it was nearing completion I bought a ticket to Japan for one week later. I finished up the project on a Thursday and arrived on a Friday. I didn’t have a visa, job or much money but I just went anyway because I needed the change.

I expected to be in Japan for only 6 months, so I didn’t really want to commit to starting a new business. However, after two years of teaching and no plans to leave, I told my self that if I am teaching anyway, I should start my own school. So many people are afraid to commit to anything just because they imagine some better opportunity will be coming soon. I believe we make our own opportunities and more often then not, they come from focusing all of our energies on one single job or business now. That is what I did. I managed to save some money and get some new Internet projects developed so that will fuel the next part of my life, when my wife and I leave Japan.

We have built a decent stable life here now, and that means it is time to change. Life gets boring quickly if you are not challenging yourself and taking risks.

My wife and I go to Europe, Asia and North America regularly and all are different. Traveling as a child with my family, made me realize that not everyone in the world lives the way we do. That diversity is great. Perhaps seeing communist Hungary as a child helped me to see how rich and spoiled Canadians were and helped me to choose my own path in the world.

The only real risk in life is dying or getting sick before you have a chance to do the things you want. When you start getting older and more and more of your friends and family get sick or die and you lose energy and motivation, you really start to understand how short life is. I don’t want to sound like a parent telling his children how tough life was in the past, but it is all true.

We live in a time of great affluence and opportunity. It is easy and cheap to travel around the world, start new businesses and even become famous if we are willing to put in the work and are able to commit our energies to a single focus. The greatest times in my life have been when I didn’t have much money, didn’t have many possessions and was working insane hours to accomplish something. The “good life” is not an easy life. Easy makes us fat and lazy.  Even if you completely fail, there are unlimited opportunities to start again. Our parents never had these opportunities. Our grandparents couldn’t even imagine this level of wealth and choice. There is no excuse for not attempting great things in life. The only barrier is our own fears, which are generally unfounded, and our unwillingness to do the work required.

So… Take The Leap, and Thanks for Reading!!

Get in touch with John:

Jet Set Citizen Lifestyle Design at the Intersection of Work, Play and Travel.

YouCanTeachEnglish.com Information and English Teaching Jobs around the World

Check out his interview with Viralogy!

John Bardos from JetSetCitizen.com – Life abroad is easier than it looks | Viralogy Blog

Most of us know How to Make Things Go; Not How to Let Things Go.

The process of downsizing has more to do with refining our personal character than just giving away or selling our stuff. When you decide it is time to do an overhaul of your belongings and your life, there are various stages that you will go through.  Having gone through this purging process repeatedly, I have now come to identify the process and wanted to share with you some of the major milestones you will find yourself moving past.  This is a process of reforming your identity, moving above and beyond material attachment, breaking social norms, and letting go of old behaviors. I know the process may feel scary, but consider it a cleansing process, you must first get rid of the old in order to let the new come into your life…

Step 1: Detaching Your Personal Identity from Your Personal Belongings

In the Western world, we learn at an early age to identify ourselves with our stuff.  If we are good, we get more stuff.  If we work hard and are successful, we own more stuff than other people.  Those that are unfortunate are the only ones without stuff.

One of my favorite things about traveling to other places in the world is we get to see a different perspective. In Eastern countries, it is commonplace for those seeking enlightenment to give up their worldly possessions.  They give up the “worldly comforts” and Buddhist monks take to the life of ‘one robe and one bowl’.  Their path is revered by all and the monks are highly respected everywhere.

You will not see a case in history where a person set off to find their destiny with all of their stuff.  Giving up and letting go is part of the process that lets the Universe know that you are ready to put your life in its hands. You trust that you will be provided for and anything you need will come your way with precision timing.

Step 2: Overcoming Societal Norms and Expectations

Part of the process of finding ourselves is to renounce societal norms and expectations that other people have put upon us.  You may find that other people in your family have belief systems that they try to put on you; and if you do not comply, you are forced to feel guilty, rejected, or wrong.  It took me years to wean myself out of heavily steeped family traditions that just didn’t feel right to me. It took even longer to detach myself from feeling bad or guilty about my decisions to ‘opt out’.

Being the black sheep is a strange catch twenty-two.  In the beginning, you may be chastised for being different.  But in the end, you may find yourself in a situation where other people are envious of you because they did not have the courage to break out of the box themselves.  This has happened my whole life.  I have always challenged the norm, broken the rules, and created realities that to others seemed impossible.  I’ve been told, “You Can’t Do That” more times then I can count.  But I could, and I did, and I continue to do so, and So Can You!

Just because other people have limited views of what is possible doesn’t mean you have to.  Be bold and daring and create your own rules for the lifestyle you want to live.

When you have set yourself apart from everyone else, you are that much closer to knowing exactly who you really are, and finding out what you really believe in. This is part of the downsizing process!  You have to get rid of old and limiting thoughts and belief systems in order to come to the new, energetic, and passionate lifestyle you want to live.  In the new game, there are no limits—only those that you create for yourself.

Step 3: Moving Beyond the “Loudest and Pushiest”

I have now lived in Southeast Asia for six and a half months.  The easiest thing for me to identify here is an American.  They are by far the loudest and pushiest in the room.  Just today, I was in the airport, flying from Krabi to Bangkok and had the pleasure of watching five Americans.  They were in line for their airline tickets and checking their bags (which, BTW were HUGE and they were too heavy to bring back).  Normally, this process would not take long, but the general disposition was that:

1. They were the only people in the building
2. They wanted everything and they wanted it NOW
3. Delaying other people was of no major concern to them
   
4. They communicated by being loud and speaking over everyone else
   

Now, generally I don’t go around bashing Americans, but it has been quite funny to witness these stereotypes away from home.  Because Asian cultures pride themselves on modesty and politeness, our loud and pushy attitude is a stark contrast that sticks out like a sore thumb here.

Having arrived in a more subtle culture, I found myself trying to tone several things down about my personality here.  I grew up with the mindset that if you don’t go after it and push to the front of the line, you are missing out!  If you aren’t in charge then you won’t get what you want out of life!  Having viewed a different lifestyle and culture altogether, I now know and understand some of the subtleties of letting others go first, listening while others speak (not always having to add something to the conversation), and generally allowing things to be how they are rather than trying to dominate it or control every aspect of life.

Are aspects that you learned growing up that could be downsized?  Did you learn that in order to be heard or get what you want in life that you had to be loud and pushy about it?  How is this affecting your success or your opinion of how successful you already are?

Step 4: Letting Things Come to You

If our mindset is constantly, “I need more”, the natural solution is, “I need to go get it”.  The problem with much of our conditioning is that we believe there is a limited supply of everything we want.  We need to go and get it before it is gone.  We need it Now!!!

The endless need for obtaining more creates nearly All of the Stress in our lives.  This dissatisfaction and lack of appreciation keeps you running, overworking, and feeling as though ‘Nothing is Ever Enough’.

In order to obtain happiness and personal freedom, you need to shift your mindset.

Mindset Change: Change your view from ‘getting more’ to appreciating and refining what you already have.  Realize the ceaseless need for more is one that never leads to satisfaction (ever!).

Once you realize that you no longer have to fight for life, you can free up your time and energy to put towards creative endeavors that will benefit yourself and others.  As you learn to share your ideals and information freely, you will attract the attention of those you wish to serve.  They, in turn, will come to you in need of your services and seek out your wisdom.  At this point, you have changed your view from getting to giving, which attracts the right people, circumstances, and opportunities into your life. By refining our character and becoming modest in our desires, we can finally see what is truly important.

Summary

Downsizing is more about creating space for opportunity to appear.  It is about Rightsizing our lives by determining what is most important and making decisions that bring us closer to our goals.  We do that primarily by reducing our material goods and desires, relinquishing expectations that others put upon us, and refining our behaviors.  By trusting that we are on the right path and focusing on giving rather than getting, we learn to let things come to us.  It is in this arena that we discover the highest realm of existence: inner abundance.

‘Goodbye’ said the fox.  ‘Now here is my secret.  It is very simple.  It is only with one’s heart that one can see clearly.  What is essential is invisible to the eye.’

-Antoine De Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince