I got up super early (well, for me) to head down to NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center. I went on the show for a short interview. The segment was a bit rushed (blame ISIS and abusive football players for taking up more of the time), but somehow I managed to be somewhat articulate.
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The day has come!
Live from New York City, I'm somewhat happy incredibly thrilled to publish my new book, The Happiness of Pursuit. This book represents the culmination of a ten-year odyssey to every country in the world—but it doesn't end there. As I approached the end of the journey, I spent two additional years researching and interviewing other people who have undertaken a quest.
“The things that make you happy are not the same things that make your life seem meaningful.” That’s how Ben puts it, and I agree. I’ve also written about this several times before: in The Tower, for example, or in my first book. To increase happiness, do something fun. To increase meaning, do something challenging.…
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Every Friday is giveaway day, but today is bonus giveaway day. Comment to win! Over six years ago, Jodi Ettenberg quit her job as a lawyer to travel for what she thought was a year. She never returned to the law, opting instead to write about travel and food on her site, Legal Nomads. I…
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Buster Benson created the fabulous 750words.com, which encourages users to cultivate a writing streak. He also makes other side projects, including a photo of himself every day at 8:36pm that he’s taken and published for the past 2,000 days and counting. On his website he lists a few rules to live by: You must have…
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“Pub date” is shorthand for publication date—the day when a new book is out. Here are a few thoughts I starting writing on a short break from a five-week process of full-time preparations. I’m now flying to New York City … preparing for launch! On Tuesday we’ll debut the book. *** The taxi comes to…
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This series poses questions from readers. You’re invited to answer! You can also send in a question for a future post. Today’s question comes from Jenny, who’s wondering about planning a trip to Japan: My son Lorenzo wants to go to Japan for his 14th Birthday. I have exactly two years to save and was…
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David Welsford restored an old, 28-feet boat from a scrap heap and took it around the world: “I think I understand money in my way, which is once you figure out how to make enough, then go and do the things that make you happy.” More about David and Lizzie Bell, his boat. ###
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Q: What are your tricks for time management? “The simple answer is to attempt to avoid, at all costs, situations that waste people’s time.” “Regarding my personal time management, I also try to live by the philosophy that focuses on: ‘What did I do that was productive and beneficial in the last 40 minutes?’ I…
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What’s the worst thing that can happen? What’s the best thing that can happen? How do I feel about this choice? What doors will close if I pursue this choice? Why am I hesitant or indecisive over making this choice? If I don’t make this choice, will I always regret it? *** A few other…
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Things I found on long walks in foreign cities, or perhaps when someone posted them on Twitter.
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This is a travel hacking case study. (Read others or nominate yourself.) Why does someone move out of a big house and into a motorhome? What lessons do they learn, and how does their life change? Here’s Mike. Introduce yourself! Hello! I’m a 29-year-old mechanical engineer from Port Huron, Michigan now living in San Diego,…
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Hong Kong has been one of my favorite global cities for nearly a decade now. This short film focuses mostly on the city’s architecture, which has always been impressive and continues to develop as more people settle from mainland China and elsewhere. The last time I was there, I’d recently seen a series of…
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Last year we started a foundation, making an initial investment of $100,000 and pledging to support “Scholarships for Real Life,” a program to enable people to pursue a dream of their own while also addressing a problem that affects others. In this short series, we’ll highlight our initial grantees. *** Up until now the LGBT…
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I love big cities, and always enjoy returning to Hong Kong, New York, and Sydney—among many others. But what about those unknown gems that are off the beaten tourist path… those obscure places that are just waiting to be explored by real travelers? Our new “Mini City Guides” are here to uncover those gems, and…
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