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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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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Update: New post, two years later *** On any given day I’m anxious about any number of things. I don’t relax very well. I feel tense and unsettled at least a couple of times throughout the day. And I worry, because generally I think worry is good. Of course, not all worry is good, and…
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I liked Seth Miller’s post about flying JetBlue on his birthday for no particular reason other than the fact that it made him happy. He boarded a plane, flew for an hour, and then turned around and went back. “It was a cheap flight. My round-trip fare was about $60 plus $10 for the MTA…
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I downloaded another iPad game that was a lot like the one I wrote about in The Tower. It was probably a mistake, given my tendencies for going all-in, but once in a while I download a game and play it off and on for a couple weeks. Then I get bored and remove it…
Read MoreInterviewer: “When it comes to human nature and human behavior, would you describe yourself as a pessimist?” “Pessimism has no function. It’s an indulgence of people who have little stamina to confront the challenges of modern life. And it’s a good way to rationalize their withdrawal from the great work of human beings, which is,…
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Anyone feeling overwhelmed? It happens. The worst thing about feeling overwhelmed is the anxiety. The second worst thing is not knowing what to do next. You can resolve both symptoms through a simple exercise. When you’re feeling overwhelmed and aren’t sure what action to take, the very best thing you can do is to go…
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Tom asked me what lasting impact travel has had on my life. I thought it was an interesting question. After I came home from Norway (country 193/193), I did a number of radio interviews where the host asked me similar things.
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“They say there’s no harm in daydreaming, but there is.” -Charlaine Harris When I run, I wish I could say I was fully focused on my surroundings. I live within running distance of a waterfront with half a dozen bridges, a beautiful (although steep) inactive volcano, and if I go a bit further, several nice…
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*** “Don’t settle: Don’t finish bad books. If you don’t like the menu, leave the restaurant. If you’re not on the right path, get off it.” –Chris Brogan I used to feel obligated to finish bad books or stay in restaurants I didn’t like. Then I adopted Chris’s rule, which I’ve used for years but…
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1. I want you to think about something. Maybe you’re like me: coasting along, doing okay, not lacking for anything material. You have a good life. What else is there? Oh, that’s right: everything. At a certain point you have you ask yourself, am I playing a small game or a big one? Am I…
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Someone wrote in to say he had earned more than 400,000 Frequent Flyer Miles from learning about travel hacking in the past few months.
"That's amazing!" I said. "Great work!"
He had a question on how to earn even more miles and points.
Well, we can talk about that, I told him. There are always new strategies to practice, new opportunities to pursue.
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To wake in the morning full of life and energy, awaiting the day with anticipation and purpose.
To step out into the world ready to accomplish a significant task.
To engage and initiate instead of merely responding. To take the active choice that you will make something happen.
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The post on unnecessary traffic lights generated a heated debate about rules, laws, and traffic cameras. When I let go of concerns that exist for no good reason, life becomes much easier. When I focus on outcomes and define success on my own terms, I'm able to accomplish goals quicker and more effectively.
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This article doesn’t have much to do with travel hacking or unconventional work. And in fact, it will only apply to a minority of the people who read it. If you’ve always had a great life and nothing truly unfair has ever happened to you, feel free to skip this one. There’s lots of other great reading out there elsewhere. But for the rest of you—this one goes out to everyone who has had terrible things happen to them that weren’t their fault.
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