Last year, I had the opportunity to pound back a couple beers with Leo Babauta from Zen Habits, Maren Kate from Escaping The Nine To Five, and Everett Bogue from Far Beyond The Stars. I even got to grab a bite to eat with Srini Rao from Blogcast FM in San Francisco before he headed off to Costa Rica. All of them are very special in their own way because each of them has a unique story to tell. They are all nonconformists who make a living doing what they want to do.
It was a school night for me (work the next day that is), but I decided to go anyway to this dive-bar in the Mission to meet these colorful personalities. You could smell the aroma of beer-stained wood floors as a bunch of folks gathered in the back. Ahh, my first meet up. In true journal writing form, I jotted our beer-hazed discussions down in order to share them below with all of you.
FRIENDLY LEO
Leo is originally from Guam, but grew up in the Bay Area as a kid. In his later-thirties, Leo could easily pass for a man 10 years younger. Guam is a very closed community according to Leo, and it’s important to fit in. To do something different and to be successful beyond the island is almost frowned upon. It almost seemed like Guam was suffocating Leo and his family, so he decided to return to San Francisco this past year.
What I’ve wondered about Leo for the longest time is when he decided to become a minimalist blogger. Specifically, was it before or after he had 6 children. Leo, with a gracious smile replied, “Oh, definitely after.” And then I got to thinking, perhaps everything we do is a result of something we’ve done? Would Leo have become a minimalist blogger if he was still a single man teaching high school English? Perhaps not, or perhaps absolutely.
There would likely be no Financial Samurai if there was no economic meltdown two years ago. I wouldn’t need the initial catharsis. I suspect that Leo’s blog has been a great catharsis for him, that has attracted millions of readers worldwide with similar needs of simplicity. As a result, not only has Leo been able to heal himself, but heal others as well and make an incredible living as a result.
FOCUSED MAREN KATE
Maren Kate is one of the most driven people I know in the online world. She has a goal of making $33,333 a month in passive income because that’s what her $10 million in proceeds would earn her at a 4% rate of return. She’s working hard on her virtual assistant business called Zirtual and passed the grueling Founder’s Institute program in Palo Alto by commuting 4 hours each way from Reno once a week. Now that’s dedication!
There’s a level of determination about Maren that I rarely ever see. She is self-proclaimed unemployable because she cannot stand the thought of working for someone else. As a result, she works double digit hours constantly, which is fine, because she is working entirely for herself. This is where going out on your own is really different from working for someone else. The sustainability of investing in you is much greater and perhaps that much more rewarding if you succeed.
The biggest fear for many of us looking to go out on our own is that we may never succeed. What if we invest $10,000 in our idea and one year of our lives to watch our project fail? It’s not just the $10,000 and year of your life you lose, it’s also the opportunity cost of making whatever you could have been making and the added experience on the job as well. If you’ve taken the time to evaluate your business, have some savings, have nobody to support but yourself, and have an unmatched level of determination, why not go for it, especially if you’re still in your twenties?
ADVENTUROUS EVERETT
Everett is a big proponent of the minimalist movement which has amplified itself ever since the recession hit in 2008. If memory serves me correct, Everett quit his job in NYC as a photographer’s assistant making $30,000 a year to move to Portland and re-discover himself.
At 25, Everett is on an adventure. With only 50 or so total possessions, he’s inspired me and others to cut down on a lot of the things we own. Just the other day, I brought another 5 bags of stuff I seldom ever use to Goodwill. That makes 12 bags of stuff over the past 12 months, which is a record and also indicative of how much stuff I have. To see uncluttered shelves and clean wood floors makes me happy. I love it. My mind has been fortified and trained to consume less and get rid of excess thanks to Everett and Leo.
Maybe Everett will grow into the next Leo with 200,000 subscribers, or maybe Everett will do something else as he grows older. Nobody knows because our interests keep changing. But at the moment, he’s doing what he wants to do, and that’s most important.
SURFING SRINI
Srini Rao is an unlikely surfer. He picked it up while living in Southern California and loves it so much that he’s now in Costa Rica living a location independent lifestyle! Srini runs one of my favorite podcasts, BlogcastFM, which is all about helping us become better bloggers. You might have even caught an interview he had with me earlier in the year. Srini also has his own blog where he talks about overcoming fears of uncertainty at The Skool of Life.
What’s interesting about Srini is that he went to UC Berkeley for undergrad, Pepperdine for his MBA, and after all that still decided to live the nomadic blogging lifestyle. It might not have been entirely on purpose, but what Srini has done is make the most out of his situation and enjoy the ups and downs while sharing it with all of us. I think that’s awesome, and I’m excited to see him flourish at Blogworld 2011 in NYC!
DISCOVER NEW LIFESTYLES AND APPLY THEM TO YOUR OWN
My outing with these four reminded me that you can do whatever you want with your life and thrive. Everybody has a different path they choose to take, and believe me, it’s a choice and not a mandatory sentence. You have the power to change the conformity around you by doing something outside of work. It’s whether you truly want to our not.
Almost everything about me fits an average lifestyle, which isn’t so bad, but something I strive to continue improving. I went to college, found a enjoyable career, take public transportation, invest in a 401K, play sports, travel international, went back to graduate school, and dabble a little in the online world. What I do love to do is discover new lifestyles and take the best of each and apply them to my own.
The more interests you have, the more interesting your life will be.
On some weekends, I just love hanging out with musicians at a musical coffee lounge to get inspired by their amazing finger picking. For just an afternoon, I’m a musician too, and nothing else. On other weekends, I’m with friends in the mountains looking to get a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean and discussing how we can populate the city with more trees via the Friends of the Urban Forest – yes, I’m a tree-hugger.
Every other Friday, I attend our internet start-ups/venture capitalists poker game hoping to not lose too much money so can listen to fascinating stories about Facebook poaching Googlers for big bucks. For those five hours, we are all entrepreneurs bluffing our way to big wins or heinous losses. And finally, at least twice a week, I’m on the tennis courts playing with friends and clients, working up a competitive sweat. Sometimes, we even talk a little business!
LET’S TRY AND ALWAYS MEET UP
I’m looking forward to attending future blogging meet-ups to simply learn and listen to what great things others are doing online. It’s simply fascinating to hear your stories! Perhaps I can help spread the word about the Yakezie Writing Contest initiative, which Leo so graciously donated to the very next day. For those couple of hours, I’m just another blogger looking to collaborate and earn a living online. Hopefully we can all find a time to meet up one day and grab a drink.
I say embrace your lifestyle and meet with others who have completely different missions. Take the best aspects of their lives and apply them to your own. No one lifestyle is better than the other. The best life is simply the one you enjoy the most.
Members and readers, what are the things you like to do and what do you wish you did more of? What’s stopping you?
Best,
Sam
Each of those individuals have very different lives don’t they? But, they are all doing what they love. That’s the important thing.
I am definitely learning a lot from others as well. While I do not proclaim to be a minimalist, I have enjoyed cutting down on “stuff” and being very careful about what I purchase. If it’s not necessary, then why buy it?
I’m also enjoying a life of my passion, even though it’s a “side gig”. Maybe someday it will become my full-time gig. Who knows.
I agree with Derek. Doing what you love is the most important. I have been swayed myself in the past to conform and it has only lead me to unhappiness. Once I got the courage to do my own thing I was a much happier person.
What you described are modern entrepreneurs. Years ago, non traditional people would strike out on their own, we now have many more choices thanks to technology. I am one of the very lucky ones because I have done everything I ever wanted to do. That said, I keep finding new careers and goals that interest me. About the only thing I delay doing is cleaning out the garage!
Sam,
First off thanks so much for the shoutout and including me. It’s been an interesting journey for me to say the least and this wasn’t what I really had planned when I got my two degrees. I was sure that all I wanted was a cushy job in a corner office. I was just telling my friend last night that if I applied for a typical social media marketing role with an agency, I think I’d have a decent shot. But then I know that I’d be sitting in the office reading surfinline, refreshing cams, looking at surf conditions and thinking what a mistake I’d made. Sure I’d get to look good on paper, but I know I’d be miserable. I like what you profiled different people with different goals and my time here in NYC is making me realize that what I want is a good standard of living that allows me to just chase waves at my discretion. So really if I could afford to live in any city in the world for a couple months at a time, with a relatively decent standard of living, then I”ve accomplished what I set out to do. i think that we really have to understand the underlying motivation behind why all these people do what they do. There’s a certain sense of pride in creating something the same way you have here with Yakezie and the Financial Samaurai. That’s why I tell people even if they don’t want to
“be a blogger for a living” there’s still something to be gained from all of this.
No prob Srini. That would be a logical fit for you, working as a corporate Social Media director, but then as you say, that would kind of go contra to the life you want. That said, I don’t think our interests and desires stay the same over time, which is why we should always keep moving, and keep options open.
There’s so much to be gained from blogging consistently for an extended period of time. The people you meet, the discipline you gain, and the creativity you make are all wonderful aspects which can transfer to whatever you do!
Best, Sam
>>That’s why I tell people even if they don’t want to “be a blogger for a living” there’s still something to be gained from all of this
Very true!
Sam, great post. Sounds like a wonderful meet up there. All successful in their own right.
Everyone you mentioned sounds like they’re doing what they love to do every day. It’s great to read about stuff like that. It keeps me going to reach that level in my life.
I do need to cut down on my stuff too. I have way too much stuff and not only does it clutter my house but clutters my mind cause I’m always thinking about it!
What I wish I could do more of is travel. There’s always somewhere I want to go. I’ve travelled a lot in my life but never enough. Then hopefully when I have kids one day, I’ll be able to spend as much time with them as I can while still providing for my family, and loving it.
I have read several of these blogs, so it is interesting to hear about the “real” people behind the blogs.
I am going to officially turn in my resignation from my full-time job in the next few weeks; it is scary, but I know for me and my family, it is the right thing to do. Thanks for this inspiring post!
Wow, good luck Melissa! I am very, VERY curious to know how you decided to muster up the courage to announce your resignation! Do you have a post about it, or can you write one? I wonder whether I will have the courage to “retire” after my age or savings target has been reached. Thnx, Sam
Sam,
I am so anxious about actually resigning! I am on an unpaid leave, so I haven’t earned any money from the job since December, 2010, and I really have grown to dislike the job, but there is something about having that security net there. I will definitely write a post about it once I turn in my resignation.
Wow…reading the stories and the comments, and a few of the sites you mentioned, it always seems surreal to me to actually quit my day job and jet off on an adventure. Maybe it is so ingrained in me to work 9-5, but I can’t imagine doing that…yet. Hopefully someday I can and will be my own boss, but it will require some personal development to get there.
Great insight Sam. I love the comment about taking what works for you. It is important we do what works for us, not just copy what works for others.
And even our failures teach us! Most of all, we need to produce.
Wow, sounds like a great time, Sam. It’s definitely good to take what works for you from those you encounter and try to make it your own. Here’s to embracing our lifestyles and learning how to improve them.
I’m so jealous that you got to meet all of these interesting people Sam! I’ve been blogging since late-2008 and I still haven’t met anyone from the blogging community. I hope to meet lots of cool people at the conference in Chicago.
As for lifestyles, I enjoy meeting people that are doing different things. It really opens up your eyes as to what’s around you. For example, on Tuesday I hung out with a religious friend. You can imagine that there wasn’t much drinking done. We still had a blast. On Friday I hung out with a group of young professionals. We had a blast drinking until the sun came out. We talked a little business. We also talked lots of non-sense. Either way I find it important to always remain open-minded.
Hey MD, I do feel fortunate to live in a city which attracts many folks in our community. It’s really fun to connect face-to-face with people you’ve had dialogues with for so long online. I think you’ll have a blast in Chicago! I hope to hear some juicy stories from you when you return! S
It is always interesting to read about others lives. It takes so many different people in the world to make it go round. I have a lot of varied interests but seems like I don’t have enough time in a day to get everything done.
Amazing people! Life is most interesting when you take the road less taken. I can’t wait to do the same someday. :)
Great post Sam! I think it’s great that if life takes us one way and we don’t like it or want more we can branch out in an entirely different direction at any point. I’m working double digit hours myself several days a week to pave a path towards a location independent work/life and it’s been a rewarding challenge so far!
I’m excited for your Sydney! I think it’s great you’ve taken the lead on Untemplater, and I’m looking forward to helping contribute to your success. I love the theme and the idea behind Untemplater, and I’m so glad you are at the helm to keep it thriving!
The payoff will come. Just stay consistent and you will see! S
You’re making me want to move to California! If only I could get a decent pizza or hoagie out there I would consider it.
But seriously, it’s great to be able to meet some successful entreprenuers that you read about in person. I’d love to get some beers with folks like that in the burbs around here, but most people are in the city. I do try to venture in once in a while to meet with the Philly entreprenuers group and get pumped about the start up life, but would love it if there were more folks near by.
Haven’t you heard of California Pizza Kitchen? lol
It is start up MANIA out here. It’s in our blood.
I think that living how you want will provide the greatest benefit for others. I’ve taken things from all lifestyle bloggers that I’ve read, picked and choose what I liked, and continued doing that – not just blindly doing what someone else does because they did it.
Also, if I’m ever in the bay area sam, I feel like I owe you at least 1 beer for starting the yakezie!
Sounds good man! But, it should be I who buys visitors a drink!
It really is inspiring to read about people living with passion. The theme that rings true from this post is that we each have the power of decision about our lives. We can decide to have more fulfilling lives. Simple. Sam, I definitely see beer in our future.
Sam, I enjoy reading about others paths. The one reality I believe bears repeating is this, to make a large living is quite difficult and requires a tremendous time committment. To develop a massive on-line presence is not easy either. Although there are hundreds out there touting “the way” it’s important not to be swept up by what others espouse, but to stay grounded in what works for you.
Sam, the Yakezie you have built is an enormous success and I believe you are an example of the “unusual successes!” I believe you sometimes underestimate the magnitude of your accomplishment.
Thanks Barb! I’m just another online enthusiastic just like you. I’ve got to think up a way for others help contribute posts to the site. Even though folks have agreed to write once a quarter, I’m not seeing it. Suggestions welcome!
Sam, We need to publicize the WRITING FOR YAKEZIE OPTION ONE TIME PER QUARTER! (I don’t think this opportunity is well known!)
These people you met are amazing individuals! You all came from different walks of life, but share one passion, blogging. It is good to hear that you learned a lot from them. I myself have learned a lot just by reading about their lives and what they do..
Hello Sam!
What an inspiring post. There are so many ways to live life out there, but sometimes, it seems like there is only one, or only one that others think is suitable. I have never fit into a box and I don’t plan on starting. But sometimes it is difficult for others to understand that. Thanks for reupping my enthusiasm for a little of the unexpected!
Sure thing! It’s always inspiring to hear other people’s stories and what they are up to.
It’s also so fun to live our own lives the way we like, and experience the journeys of others through their sites and their stories. That’s the best.
It’s important to reach out to other genres online!
everytime I read stories like this I want to pack up and move to an island. But I think I might be too high maintenence to actually make the move without more of a cash flow. But I’ll bet I could live on 30 thousand a month. :)
What an inspiring and motivating post! Sometimes I feel like I just need to hone in on one thing and stick to it but this post is only validation to me that it’s okay to have a variety of interests and to cultivate these interests with a wide range of people :)
“The more interests you have, the more interesting your life will be. ” — heck yes!! That one sentence sums up blogging — and life — so beautifully!
Great post, Sam! There’s always something we can learn from other people and the lifestyle choices that they make. The biggest thing that holds me back personally is probably myself and my own thoughts. This is something I need to continue to improve on. I believe that investment in oneself is most important, because everything else stems from that; I loved the quote about interests making life interesting.