the untemplater manifesto
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Six Real-World Untemplater Case-Studies. To download, go to the link below!TRANSCRIPT
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1Work where you want, Live how you want, Be what you want to be
The Untemplater Manifesto
Six Real-World Untemplater Case Studies
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Please feel free to share this free manifesto under the terms of the creative commons attribution 3.0 license.
© 2009–2010 untemplater.com. Photography © N. Cody McKibben.
Design & layout by Cody McKibben.
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untemplater.com
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Untemplate Lifestyle 04Jun Loayza Untemplating Entrepreneurship 06Monica OʼBrien Untemplating Career 14Cody McKibben Untemplating Travel 18Adam Baker Untemplating Family 26Andrew Norcross Untemplating the Tools 34Carlos Miceli Untemplating the Mind 38The Untemplater Team 45
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4Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Introduction to the Untemplate Lifestyle
Take a deep breath, look around you, and ask yourself this question, “Am I doing the same thing as everyone around me?”
Ifyouare,thenchancesarethatyouareonthepathtothecomfortable,stable“Americandream.”You’llspendyour20’sinasmallcubiclegrindinglonghourstoimpressyourboss,steadilyandsurelyclimbthecorporateladder,andretireawealthy,65yearoldman(orwoman),Dinallyabletoenjoylife’sriches:timewithfamily,travel,andtheopportunitytopursueyourpassionsasafull‐timegig.
Is this the life you want to lead?
Causethehousealwayswins.Playlongenough,youneverchangethestakes.Thehousetakesyou.Unless,whenthatperfecthandcomesalong,youbetandyoubetbig,thenyoutakethehouse.
- Danny Ocean, Oceanʼs Eleven
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5Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Therearemanyblogsandbooksmeanttoteachandinspireyoutoleaveyourcorporateexistenceinordertopursueaventurethatyou’re“passionate”about.Mostofthesesitesmeanwellandareinspirational,butthey’rewrittenbyguruswho’vealready“madeit”andaren’tintouchwithyourreality,orthey’rewrittenbypuretheorists—peoplewhohaven’tactuallyputtheirlessonstoaction—theytalkthetalkbutdon’twalkthewalk.
Untemplater,ontheotherhand,iscomposedofrealpeoplewhoareinthetrenches,workinghardtolivethelifethatwewanttolive.It’snoteasy,norisitglamorous.Belowaresixrealcasestudiesfromtwentysomethingswho’vedoneit.You’llseeourpain,struggles,successes,andfailuresaswecreateanexistencethatweareproudofandenjoy24hoursaday,365daysayear.
WeareMBAs;wearehusbands,wives,andfathers;wearescrappyentrepreneurs,authors,andfreelancers.Weliveallovertheglobe,andwehavecometogethertoshowyouhowwe’vesuccessfullybrokenthetemplatelifestylesothatyoucandoitaswell.
ThisManifestoismeanttoinspire.Belowyouwill>indthestoriesofsixdifferentindividualseachpursuingtheuntemplatelifestyle—eachafoundingmemberoftheUntemplaterteam—describingindetailthe‘breakingpoint’thatmadeuswanttobuildourown,unconventionallives,andwhatwe’veaccomplishedinashortamountoftime.
Rememberthisonething:ifwe’vebeenabletodoit,thenyoucandoitaswell.JoinusatUntemplaterandlearnhowyoucanworkwhereyouwanttowork,livehowyouwanttolive,andbewhoyouwanttobein2010.
…workwhereyouwanttowork,livehowyouwanttolive,andbewhoyouwanttobein2010
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6Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Jun LoayzaUntemplating EntrepreneurshipTicktock…ticktock…itwas5:00pmandIhadanotherhourofgruelinggruntworktogetthroughbeforeIcouldcatchthetrainhome.IwasaDinancialconsultantatatop50consultingDirmmaking$55,000myDirstyearaftergraduatingcollege.Inmyfriends’eyes,IwasleadingasuccessfullifeandonmywaytogettingmyMBA,workingmywayupthecorporateladder,andretiringatage65awealthyandsuccessfulman.
Butsomethingjustdidn’tfeelright.Itwasn’tthe60‐hourworkweeks,norwasitthefactthatIcouldonlyhangoutwithmyfriendsandgirlfriendontheweekends;itwasthefactthatIwasjustanotherdronefollowingthetemplatelifestyle.IfIstayedonmycurrentpath,Iwoulddieanordinarypersonwhofollowedtheaverage“AmericanDream.”
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7Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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The breaking point…OnacloudymorninginNovember2007,Idraggedmyselfintoworkandsatinmyfour‐walledprison.MyManagingDirectorwalkedinanhouraftermeanddroppedatoweringstackofprintedexcelsheetsonmydesk:“HeyJun,I’minarealtimecrunchandIneedyoutoQAtheseexcelsheetsformebyendofday.Thanks!”
Doyouknowwhat“QA”means?ItmeantthatIhadtotakeoutmycalculator,whipoutmyredpen,andindividuallycheckeachexcelequationbyhandtomakesuretheywereallcorrect!
Itwassaltonanopenwound.Istormedintothebathroom,lookedinthemirrorandaskedmyselfthisquestion:“WouldIbehappylivingthelifeofmycurrentManagingDirector?”
Theanswerwasclearly“No.”
That day I made the decision to leave my corporate haven and pursue my own startup venture full-time.
…Iwasjustanotherdronefollowingthetemplatelifestyle
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8Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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The transition was anything but smooth…Sometimesitseemssoeasydoesn’tit?IfMarkZuckerbergcouldbuildFacebookfromhiscollegedormroom,surelyIcouldbuildmystartupintoalargeempireandmakemillions.
LittledidIknowthatoneoftheprerequisitesforentrepreneurshipwassacri>ice:
1. Imovedbackhomewithmymomandbrothertosaveoncostslikefoodandrent
2. Istoppedinvestingina401K,livedoffthemoneyinmysavingsaccount,andonlypaidtheminimummonthlypaymentsonmystudentloans
3. ItoldmygirlfriendthatwehadtosigniDicantlycutbackonmovies,dinner,andthatwehadtopostponethevacationwewereplanning
Entrepreneurship is not glamorous.
Oneoftheprerequisitesforentrepreneurshipissacrifice.
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9Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Untemplate the entrepreneurAsigniDicantportionoftheuntemplatelifestyleisleavingwhatyouHAVEtodoforwhatyouWANTtodo.Inmycase,Ibrokemytemplatebyhavingthecouragetoleavemycorporatejobandpursuemystartupdream.
Butthisisjustthebeginning.
Untemplaterisnotjustaboutbreakingthecorporatelifestyle;moreimportantly,it’saboutbreakingeverytemplatelifestyle,includingthatoftheentrepreneur.
TheTemplateEntrepreneur:
1. Thereisnowork/lifebalance
2. Youmustusesocialmediatomarketyourinternetstartup
3. Seekfundingtogetyourstartupofftheground
MyteamandIhavesuccessfullybrokeneachofthe3pointsoftheTemplateEntrepreneur.Untemplaterwillshowyouhowmyteamhasdoneitsothatyoutoocanbreakoutofthetemplate‐entrepreneurlifestyle.
Asignificantportionoftheuntemplatelifestyleisleavingwhatyouhavetodoforwhatyouwanttodo.
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10Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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I am you…YoucanaccomplisheverythingthatIhavedoneandIwillshowyouhowtodoit.
Ihavebuiltasocialmedia‐marketingagencyfrom$0inrevenuetoover$120,000inrevenueinfewerthan6months.
I’mthefounderofaninternetstartupthathasreceivedangelfunding,employsover10people,andsupportsanofDiceinSanFrancisco.
Igatheredateamofincrediblymotivated,successful,andambitiousbloggerstowardsauniDiedgoaltoteachothershowtobreakthetemplatelifestyle.
IdoallofthisandamstillabletomaintainanincrediblyhappyrelationshipwithmygirlfriendKimEar,whichisproofthatyouareabletoseparateyourworkandlifeasanentrepreneur.
YoucanaccomplisheverythingthatIhavedoneandIwillshowyouhowtodoit.
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11Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Break the Template Lifestyle in 20101. How do I run multiple startups at the same time?
Ioftengetaskedthisquestion.Astartuptakesanimmenseamountoftimeandenergy,sohowintheworlddoIbuildmultiplestartupsandnotlosemymindintheprocess?
Theanswerissimple:SystemsandOperations.
Thesecrettomyintenselifestyleasanentrepreneurismyabilitytocreatesystemsandoperationsformycompaniesthatallowmetofocusonthecriticallyimportant.UntemplaterwillinpartfocusonthetypeofsystemsthatIhavecreatedandgointoexcruciatingdetailaboutthedevelopment,execution,andmaintenanceofthesesystems.
2. How am I able to maintain a happy relationship with my girlfriend as an entrepreneur?
Threeclosefriendsofminearehardcoreentrepreneurswhosegirlfriendsleftthembecausemyfriendsdidnotdevoteenoughtimetotheirgirlfriends.Myfriendsfellvictimtothetemplate‐entrepreneurlifestyleandhavesufferedagirlfriendlessstartuplifestyle.
UntemplaterwillshowyouhowtoDigureoutifyourgirlfriendorboyfriendistheoneforyou,andifitturnsoutthatsheorheistheoneforyou,thenUntemplaterwillshowyouhowtomaintainahappyrelationshipevenwithabusystartuplifestyle.
Thesecrettomyintenselifestyleasanentrepreneurismyabilitytocreatesystemsandoperationsformycompaniesthatallowmetofocusonthecriticallyimportant.
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12Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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3. The concrete, personally-tested methods to succeed or fail with a startup
AlladvicethatwegiveonUntemplatercomesfromactualexperience.YouwillDindnotheoriesoruntestedadvicehere.Wewillcoverthefollowingtopicsinexcruciatingdetailsothatyoucanhaveachanceatbuildingasuccessfulstartup:
1. Howtotestifyourstartupideaisviable
2. Howtobuildyourteam
3. Doyouneedabusinessmodelfromtheverybeginning?
4. Howtodrivetraf>ictoyoursite
5. Howtogetfunding
6. Howandwhenshouldyouincorporateyourcompany
7. Andmuchmore…
AlladvicethatwegiveonUntemplatercomesfromactualexperience.
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13Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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The Untemplater philosophyMyfuncomesfrombuildingcompaniesandwatchingthemsuccessfullygrow.IgetarusheverytimeIbuildanewsystemandsuccessfullyimplementit,cuttingmyworkhoursandimprovingmyeffectiveness.IlovetrainingmyvirtualassistanttodoanewjobthatIpreviouslyhadtodo.
Soundskindofnerdydoesn’tit?
Buttobehonest,Iwouldn’tbehappyanyotherway.Idon’tneedtolivethelocationindependentlifestylerightnow,nordoIneedtogetanMBA.I’verealizedthattoleadtheUntemplaterlifestyle,youneedtolearnhowtosay“No”tothethingsthatcanwaitforlater,andfocusrightnowontheactionsthatwillprovideyouwiththegreatestpersonalROI.
Join us this 2010 and break your template!
Jun currently lives in Los Angeles, California – Find him at JunLoayza.com and on Twitter
…workwhereyouwanttowork,livehowyouwanttolive,andbewhoyouwanttobein2010
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14Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Monica OʼBrienUntemplating CareerMyjourneyontheuntemplatedpathstartedincollege.Inthemiddleofmysophomoreyear,IdecidedIcouldn’tbeaphysicsmajoranymore.
Yousee,Iwasn’taquitter.Andforsomereason,IalwaysfeltthatifIquitphysics,IwouldbegivinguponsomethingIhadstarted.
Butitwastimetomakechanges.IneededtostopdoingwhatIthoughtotherswanted.IneededtostopdoingthingsjustbecauseIcouldandtheywouldseemimpressive,andstartdoingthingsIactuallywanted.Itwasmylife—Ineededtostarttakingmyselfandmydreamsseriously.
ThisissupposedtobethepartwhereItellyouIchangedmajorsandfoundthejobofmydreams.Itturnsoutthatit’sverydif3iculttocompleteadegreein4yearswhenyouswitchmajorsaftertwo,andIwouldrunoutofscholarshipmoneyafter4years.
Istilldidn’tknowwhatIwantedtodowithmylifeanyway.SoIdidthemostlogicalthingatthetime—IwentthroughthedegreecatalogandfoundthemajorsIcouldDinishinmyremainingtwoyearsofschool,andthenpickedtheonethatwouldpaythemostaftercollege.IDiguredifIcouldjustgetajobthatpaidalotofmoney,Iwouldhavethetimeandresourcestoexploremyinterestslater.
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15Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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TwoyearslaterIgraduatedwithadegreeincomputerscience,andstartedworkinginthetechdepartmentataFortune500companyintheChicagolandarea.Notsurprisingly,Ihatedmyjob—buteveryevening,IworkedtoDindanewcareer.Iexploredphotographyandconsideredbecomingaweddingphotographer;Iworkedonartprojectsandresearchedhowtosellartonline;Iconsideredfashiondesignandcontemplatedgoingbacktoschoolforit.
Finally,IrealizedIhadapassionforbusinessdevelopment.Iwasn’taparticularlygreatartist,butIknewthatifIhadgreatartIcouldDigureouthowtosellit.Istartedexperimentingonlinewithanumberofmyownblogprojects.IalsolearnedasmuchasIcouldaboutsellingproductsoneBayandAmazon.ItwascleartomethatIsomedaywantedtostartmyowncompany,anditwasalsoclearthatIdidn’tknowathingaboutbusinessinordertodoso.
Havingnevertakenabusinessclassincollege,IrealizedIwantedtoimmersemyselfinthetheory.IfoundanMBAprogramandstartedputtingtogethermyapplication.ItwasonlyrightbeforeIturnedinmyapplicationthatIrealizedtheschoolIhadchosenwasoneofthetop5schoolsinthecountry,andyouusuallyneeded5yearsofprofessionalexperiencetogetaccepted.Iwasonly22yearsold,withlessthanayearofprofessionalexperience.
IwasacceptedtotheschoolandstartedmyMBAwithaconcentrationinmarketingpart‐time.Meanwhile,IalsostartedmyblogandestablishedanameformyselfinthedigitalworldbywritingaboutmyexperiencesandwhatIwaslearning.Iwasextremelyvocalaboutwantingtoleavethecorporateworldandstartmyowncompany.Iconcludedthatthebestwaytodothiswasto>indajobatastartup,whereIcouldlearnhowtobuildacompanyfromothers.Within4monthsofblogging,Iwasofferedapositionatastartupwithawell‐knownA‐listbloggernamedPenelopeTrunk.
Itwasmylife—Ineededtostarttakingmyselfandmydreamsseriously.
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16Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Ispentabout6monthsatthestartup,learningandabsorbingeverythingIcould.Thefocusofmyjobwasstillintechthough,andIwantedtomakeacareerchangeintomarketing.ThefoundersofthestartupalsowantedmetochoosebetweenDinishingmyMBAandcommittingtoeating,sleeping,andbreathingthestartup.ItwasadifDicultdecision,anddespitemyyearningtostartacompany,Ipicked>inishingmyeducationovercontinuingwiththehands‐onexperienceofastartup.
OnceIquitmyjobatthestartup,Iwasabletofocusonceagainonmystudiesandmygoalsoftransitioningfromatechcareertoamarketingcareer.IstartednetworkingwithothermarketingprofessionalsinChicagoandbeganconsultingsmallcompaniesonhowtousedigitalmediatopromotetheirbusinesses.
In2009,IdecidedtofulDillanotherlifelongdream—Iwantedtowriteabook.IfoundamarketfortheknowledgeIhadacquiredover3longyearsinsmallbusinesses,likeprivatepractices,hairsalons,andrestaurants.Idecidedtowriteabookaimedatsmallbusinesseswhowantedtousesocialmediaanddigitalmarketingtopromotethemselves.Ratherthangetatraditionalbookcontract,Ioptedtostartmyownpublishingcompanyandbringtheproducttomarketmyself.ThebookwaspublishedinNovember2009andcontinuestoshowstrongsalesasitbuildsmomentuminitsDirstyear.
Ipickedfinishingmyeducationovercontinuingwiththehands-onexperienceofastartup.
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17Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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IalsograduatedwithmyMBAinDecember2009,andamplanningtotakeajobatawordofmouthagencyinthenewyear.
Everyonewillhavetheirownde3initionoftheuntemplatedlife.Somewillsaythatitmeanstoquityourjobandtaketheentrepreneurialpath.Forothers,it’stobuildyourcareeronline.Somemightsayit’stogetaformaleducationinaDieldyouenjoy.
Forme,it’sbeenamixofeverything.I’vegottenatraditionaleducation,andI’vealsousedbloggingandsocialmediatolearn,grow,network,andsecurejobs.I’vetriedthecorporatelifestyle,theentrepreneuriallifestyle,andthefreelance/consultinglifestyle,andfoundthatthereareupsidesanddownsidestoallthree.MyhopeforUntemplateristhatwecanhelpalltypesofpeopleDindtheirpathsinlife,nomatterwhatthatpathis.Selfknowledgeiskey,andmostofthetime,youjustneedtofollowyourheart.
Monica currently lives in Chicago, Illinois – Find her at MonicaObrien.com and on Twitter
Self-knowledgeiskey,andmostofthetime,youjustneedtofollowyourheart.
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18Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Cody McKibbenUntemplating Travel
Going Through the MotionsWhenIappliedtouniversity,IhadnoideawhatIwantedtostudy.Iwentbecauseitwasjustwhatyoudoafterhighschool—thenextstepintheladder.Neithermydadnormymomgraduatedfromafour‐yearuniversity—becausethey'dbecomeyoungparentsinstead—soyoucanbet,Iwasgoingtogostraighttocollegeandgetmydegree!Iworkedthroughcollegetopayforrent,food,andlivingexpenses,andmydad,blesshim,paidforalargeportionoftuitionandbooks,buttheinstantIwentbeyondthefour‐yearlimit,Ihadtopaymyownway.
Collegetaughtmeplentyofvaluablelessons—asdidpayingmyownway.I'mdeDinitelythankfultohaveparentswhowerewillingandabletohelpmegetmyeducation,buttheexpectations(andconsequences)thatIwassubjecttodemonstratetheprevailingmiddleclassWesternmindset—theparadigmtemplatelifestyle—thatmostofusarepluggedintostartingatbirth.
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19Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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College to Career Trial & Error Inretrospect,ifIcouldgobackIwouldhavetakenayearbreaktobackpackaroundtheworldatthatpoint,orevenjusttoexperimentatajuniorcollegetodiscoverwhatIwastrulypassionateaboutbeforegoingtouniversity.ButIplayedthegame.IthoughtmaybeI'dliketobeasocialstudiesprofessorandwantedtogainadeeperunderstandingofdifferentbeliefsystemsaroundtheworld,soIgraduatedwithadegreeinHumanities&ReligiousStudiesandaminorinHistory.
Aftercollege,likemanygraduates,Ipromptlyputmydegreetoabsolutelynouse!Instead,apart‐timestudentjobIhadbeendoingwiththeCollegeofBusinessatmyuniversitymagicallyturnedintoafull‐timestaffposition.This,again,wasreallytheeasy,boringpathformetotake,andalthoughthemajorityofmyjobdutiesweretosimplybetherefrom9‐to‐5tomanagetheDean'sofDiceeveryday,maintainhiscalendar,andpushpapers,Iwasexceptionallyfortunatebecauseworkingwiththebusinessprofessorsiswhatturnedmeontomytruepassion—entrepreneurship—andbeingassistanttotheDeanoftheCollegeofBusinesscamewithsomegreatbeneDits.Serendipitously,IwasabletomeetandlearnfromCEOsofFortune500companies,aFederalReservepresident,andpeoplelikeWarrenBuffett—themostskilledmoney‐managerandrichestmanintheworld,andoneofmyheroes.
IfIcouldgobackIwouldhavetakenayearbreaktobackpackaroundtheworldatthatpoint,orevenjusttoexperimentatajuniorcollegetodiscoverwhatIwastrulypassionateabout.
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How Connecting with Like-Minded People Empowered Me to Take Control of My Own Destiny
IlearnedatremendousamountfromtheDeanandtheCollege'sexperiencedprofessors,andasmyinterestinbusinessgrew,I'dtraveltoStanford'sGraduateSchoolofBusinessinmyoff‐timeforGlobalEntrepreneurshipWeekandconferenceswithinnovativegreenandsocialentrepreneurs.Twobookschangedmylife:theDirstonebeingTomPeters'shortbutimpactfulBrandYou,whichopenedmyeyestotheemerging"freeagentnation"whereevenasemployees,weneedtobuildandmaintainagreatreputationandbrandourselvestostaycompetitiveinacrapeconomywherejobsecuritynolongerexists.
In2006,partlypromptedbyPeters'messageaboutpersonalbranding,IstartedpublishingmyownwhackythoughtsonlineatThrillingHeroics.com.Startingablogwasprobablythebestdecisionofmylife—Iimmediatelystartedconnectingwithpeoplearoundtheglobe.PeoplelikeRamitSethi—arolemodelforme,asaStanfordgrad,cofounderofasuccessfultechstartup,andhugelysuccessfulpersonalDinanceblogger,justafewyearsolderthanme—PamelaSlim,whoatthetimeranagreatblogandconsultingcompanyaroundEscapeFromCubicleNation.com,andnowasuccessfulauthorwithabookoutbythesametitle,andRajeshSetty—astudentofTomPetersandSethGodinandserialentrepreneurwhoisinvolvedasafounderorexecutiveforabout8SiliconValleycompaniesatanygiventime.Rajbecomesomewhatofamentortome,inspiringmewithhisbook,blog,andpersonalencouragement,andsendingtonsofclientsmywaywhenIinitiallystartedupmyownsmallsidebusiness.
…evenasemployees,weneedtobuildandmaintainagreatreputationandbrandourselvestostay
competitive…
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21Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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How Breaking the Rules Lets Me Live the Lifestyle of My Dreams
ThesecondbookthatradicallychangedthewayIlookatlifewasTimothyFerriss'The4HourWorkweek.WhenIreadTimFerriss’lifestyledesignbible,Ilearnedthatalltherulesoftraditionalbusinesshadchanged.Working40‐to60‐hourweeksandwaitinguntilretirementtodowhatyoureallywanttodo—whatFerrisscallsthe“deferredlifeplan”—isn’ttheonlyoption.
Itdoesn’tcostasmuchasyoumightthinktoliveyourideallifestyleorsetaboutonajetsettraveljourneyaroundtheworld,anditreallyisn’tallaboutmoneyanyways!Ferrisspointedoutthatwedon’treallywanttobemillionaires,wewanttoexperiencewhatwethinkonlymillionscanbuy.
TimnotedthatSoutheastAsiaandpartsofSouthAmericaaresomeoftheworld'sbestremainingparadisedestinationswhereAmericanscaneasilystretchtheirdollar.Bybendingthetraditionalruleswethinkapplytotheworld,andbyleveraginggeoarbitrageforexample—earningyourpayinastrongcurrencylikedollars,Euros,orBritishPounds,whileyoulivesomewherewithalowcost‐of‐living—extendedtravelandlivingabroadcanactuallypresentsomemassiveadvantages.
Itdoesn’tcostasmuchasyoumightthinktoliveyourideallifestyleorsetaboutononajetsettraveljourneyaroundtheworld,anditreally
isn’tallaboutmoneyanyways!
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22Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Soratherthanwaitingforretirementanddreamingaboutmyideallifestyle,IdecidedtocreatemyownUntemplaterlifestylewhereIcouldworkandtravelatthesametime.IspentayearandahalfbuildingabusinessthatIcouldrunremotelyfromanywhereontheglobe—makingmybusiness"locationindependent"andbecomingadigitalnomadfreelancer.AndthenIwentforit!IleftforThailandinNovember2008withaonewayticketandnoplanstoreturnforatleastayear.
CreatingabusinessIcouldoperatefromanywherehasgivenmethefreedomtochoosewhereIlive,whenIwork,andithasenabledmetotravelandfreeupmoretimetoputintorelationships,writing,volunteering,andothersideprojectsthatdon'tnecessarilyhavetocontributetomyincome.Livingthislifestyleteachesyouthattravelingiseasierthanyouthink:withalittleresourcefulness,you’llbeamazedwhatsortofgreatexperiencesyoucanhaveforfreeorverycheap!Youwillseesomeincrediblethingsthatwillchangethewayyouthinkabouttheworld.
ratherthanwaitingforretirementanddreamingaboutmyideallifestyle,IdecidedtocreatemyownUntemplaterlifestylewhereIcouldworkandtravelatthesametime.
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23Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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10 Random Thoughts for Creating Your Own Untemplater Lifestyle This Year:
1. Mostpeoplearecontenttoliveacomfortablelifestyle,doingsomethingthey'renotallthatpassionateaboutinordertopaythebillsanddowhattheylikeontheweekends.But,askyourselfifthat'sreallywhatyouwant.Ordoyouwantmore?TheUntemplaterlifestylemeansprioritizingyourpassionovermoney,overstatus,evenovercreaturecomforts.
2. RealizethatnobodyelseisgoingtocomealongandmagicallyDixallyourproblemsandpayallyourbillsforyou.ThatisadestructiveDisneyfantasythatisn'treal.Intheneweconomy,"jobsecurity"isanoxymoron.You'vegottoestablishapersonalbrandandmaintainyourreputationonlineevenifyoujustwanttoremainemployable.
3. RememberwhatTimFerrisssaysinThe4HourWorkweek:wedon'treallywanttobemillionaires.Insteadwewanttoexperiencethingswethinkonlymillionscanbuy.Butmoneyisn'ttheonlycurrency,andbybendingtherulesofyourreality,itcanfrequentlybeeasier,cheaper,orevenfreetoaccomplishthethingsyouwant.
TheUntemplaterlifestylemeansprioritizingyourpassionovermoney,overstatus,evenovercreaturecomforts.
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4. Stopplayingthegame,stoptryingtokeepupwiththeJoneses.Embraceminimalism,detachyourvaluefromthethingsyouown,andignoreothers'expectations.Whenyouaccumulatestuffjustforthesakeofhavingpossessions,theybegintoownyou.Morelikelythannot,youcaninvestmoretimeandmoneyintotheexperiencesyouwanttohave—timewithfriendsandfamily,
philanthropy,travel—andliveamuchmoreful>illedlife.
5. Justbecauseeveryoneseemstodothingsonewaydoesn'tmeanyouhaveto.Andjustbecauseamajorityofpeopleseemtouseacertainsetoftoolstogetthejobdonedoesn'tnecessarilymeanthey'retherighttoolsforyou.Seekunconventionalsolutionsthatwillmakethelifeyouwantpossible.
6. Ifyoustillwanttodiscoverwhatkindofworkyou'retrulypassionateaboutandexcitesyouwhenyougetoutofbedinthemorning,takeaweekendretreattosomewherenearbywhereyoucangetawayfromyournormalroutine,consideramediahiatus(don'treadthepaper,watchthenewsonTV,orreadyourfavoriteblogsonlineforatleastafewdays)anddosomeselftalkandsearchinyourselfforwhatyoureallycareabout.Howcanyouproviderealvaluetotheworldinawaythatwillreturntoyouandallowyoutoearnaliving?
7. WiththeincreasingavailabilityoffreeandcheapwiDiinternetaccessallaroundtheglobe,it’sbecomingincreasinglypossibleforanyonetoworkfromhome,thecoffeeshop,oranywhere.Leveragethedifferentpurchasingpowerofcurrenciesaroundtheworld,andyoucanvagabondyourwayaroundtheglobewhileyoudofreelanceworkfromyourlaptop!
Stopplayingthegame,stoptryingtokeepupwiththeJoneses.
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25Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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8. Socialmediamakesitmucheasierforanyonewithenoughmotivationtosharetheirideaswithaglobalaudienceandbuildasuccessfulbusinessonlinethesedays.
9. IfyouchoosetobuildanUntemplaterlifestylefreeofdependenceonanyonelocation,ifyouliveabroadorgoonextendedtravel,justbyimmersingyourselfintheunfamiliar,you'llexperienceanincreasedrateoflearning,creativityandresourcefulnessthatwillservetoreinforceyourabilitiesasaproducer,ratherthanapassiveconsumer—sharingandaddingsomethingtotheworld,whetherthat'sintheformofabusinessorsomethingelse.
10.Eventhougheverybodyseemstodoit,thereisnolawthatsaysyouhavetoplaybytherulesorfollowthecrowd.Yourtimehereonthisearthisa>initeresource,preciousshort—howwillyouchoosetospendit?
I'mexcitedtolaunchUntemplaterwithmygreatco‐founders,andhopetoprovideguidancetoallofyouwhoareseekingmorefromlife.IfIcanbuildavast,strongprofessionalnetwork,sellmyservicesonline,andaffordanadventurous,excitinglifeabroad,youcantoo.Mypersonalmissioninlifeistoencourageotherstopursuefreedom—thefreedomtoliveandworkanywhere,andtolivelifebeyondbordersandlimitations.IfIcandoit,youcanbuildanUntemplaterlifestyleandreachyourdreamstoo!
Cody currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand – Find him at ThrillingHeroics.com and on Twitter
Yourtimehereonthisearthisafiniteresource,precious
short—howwillyouchoosetospendit?
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26Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Adam BakerUntemplating Family
I was good at Math and Science. I had high standardized test scores.
Mypathwasclear…HonorsEngineering.
Whatelsewasthere?Thatwasthepath.Nooneinparticularforcedmeintoit.Myparentsdidn’tpushmeintoit.Myhighschoolcounselordidn’tpushmeintoit(ordoanythingnowthatIthinkback).
Don’tgetmewrong,somebody,orrathersomethingwaspushingme.Ijustcouldn’tpinpointthesourceofit.
ItjustseemedlikethatwaswhatIwassupposedtobedoing.Thiswasmynextstep.Why?NotbecauseIchoseit,butbecauseitwastheacceptedpathonmycurrentlifetemplate.
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27Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Well,thatlasted3semesters.WhichI’dliketopointoutisonemorethantheminimumrequiredtofailout(theyletyougoatleast2semestersbydefault).So,Ihadthatgoingforme.
Ireturnedhomeandgottowork.IpickedupajobopeningthelocalMcDonaldsinthemorningandclosingthelocalpizzaparloratnight.Afteronlyamonth,Iwaspromotedtoshiftmanageratbothlocations,butthatdidn’tchangeanything.Iwasworkingshitjobs.
Andwhy?WhydidIcomehomeandimmediatelydiveinto80+hoursofwork?WhynotjointhePeaceCorps,jointheArmy,liveinaselfsustainingcommunity,hitchhiketoAlaska?
SureIneededtopaytolive,buttherearethousandsofoptionstodothat.At19yearsold,McDonaldswasmyplanB.
ThesadtruthwasIcouldn’tseeanyotheroptions.TherewerenoplanC,D,E,orF’s.Iwasblindedbythescriptthatsocietyhadwrittenformylife.Itwasn’tacustomscript.Itwasacopyofacopyofacopy.It’sthesameonethat’spasseddowntoeverymiddle‐class,white,Midwesternkidinschool(andmanyotherdemographics,althoughIcan’tspeakforthem!)
Iwasblindedbythescriptthatsocietyhadwrittenformylife.It
wasn’tacustomscript.Itwasacopyofacopyofacopy.
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28Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Modeling the success of giants…Flashforwardacoupleyears.Managingfastfoodledtoplayingpoker.Playingpokerledtorunninglocalpokertournamentsforhundredsofpeople.Runningpokerroomsledtorealestate(well,thepolicedictatedthatone,butthat’sanotherstory).
Thingscertainlyweren’tperfect,butIwasstartingtogetaglimpseintoplansC,D,E,andF.
Istartedreadingpersonaldevelopmentbooks(theexactsameonesImadefunofonlyacoupleyearsprevious).Istartedstudyingsuccessstoriesandbusinessbiographies.
Inoticedthatalmostwithoutexception,thepeoplewhosestoriesIwasreadinghadscreweduplives.Theycamefromhorriblechildhoodsinsomecases.Almostallofthemfailedoutoftraditionaleducation.Theystartedintheirparent’sgaragesorsomedesolatethirdworldcountry.
Theyworkeddayinanddayoutforyears,withoutreward.ButtherewasareasontheyweresacriDicing.TherewasacommonbondbetweennearlyeverystoryIread.
They were finding ways to break the template life had dealt them.
Theyweren’tsimplyplayingthecardstheyweredealt.Theywerechangingthegamemidhand.
TherewasacommonbondbetweennearlyeverystoryIread.Theywerefindingwaystobreakthetemplatelifehaddealtthem.
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29Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Debt, Marriage, & Kids: The lure of the template life.Readingthesestorieswasonething.Butmakingthejumptoapplythemtomylifewasanother.Iwasn’tquiteready.
Ihadjustgottenengagedtomyhighschoolsweetheart.
Courtneywasinthelastfewyearsofputtingherselfthroughcollegethroughamixtureofpart‐timejobsandmassivestudentloans.Ibroughtseveralthousanddollarsincreditcarddebtfrommylastfewirresponsibleyears.
And life started happening. Quick.Ourweddingwasonly7monthsawayfromtheengagement.CourtneyhadayearleftincollegeandIstartedarealestatecompany.
3monthsaftermarriage,wewerepregnant.5monthsafterthat,Courtneygraduatedcollegeandstartingworking.Atthattime,Imyselfwasworking80+hoursagainintherealestatebusinessandhadjustDinancedan8‐unitapartmentbuildingwithnomoneydown(itsoundedcoolatthetime).
Engaged, Married, Pregnant, Finishing college, Starting a business…Studentloans,creditcards,jewelryloans,carloans,andmoneyborrowedfromfamily.Weweren’tbehind,butwehadanicelittlecollectionofburdensthatweregrowing.
Infact,theonlythingthatwasmissingwasthewhitepicketfenceandthemortgage.Anddon’tletmefoolyou…wewerehouseshopping.
Again…why?Wehadn’treallychosenthispath.Itjustseemedlikeeachlifeeventwewentthroughhada‘nextlogicalstep’.Itwaslikewewereplayingaboardgame.Wewererollingthediceandtryingtoadvancearoundthepathjustasquicklyaswecould.
Itjustseemedlikeeachlifeeventwewent
throughhada‘nextlogicalstep’.Itwaslikewewereplayingaboardgame.
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30Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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But then it happened…I’mconvincedchildbirthisGod’swayofsmackingpeopleacrosstheface.Atleastthat’swhatitfeltlikeinoursituation.Wehadstartedtocleanupour>inancesalittlethroughoutthepregnancy,butbringingherhomefromthehospitaltookittoawholenewlevel.
WeDinallymadetheconnectionthatwewerefortunatetobegrantedanenormousamountoffreedominlife,butthatweweregivingbigchunksofitback.
Wewerepayingchunksofourfreedomindebtpayments.Wewerepayingchunksofourfreedombytryingtofollowapaththatwehadn’tchosen(atleastconsciously).
Sowedecidedrightthenandtheretotakebackcontroloverourlife.Weweren’tsureweweremakingtherightdecision(whateverthatmeans),butweweresurewewantedtotestoutsomeotherpaths.
Wedecidedthatoverthenextyearweweregoingtoaggressivelyattackourdebt,selleverythingweowned,andspendacoupleyearslivingandtravelingoverseas.
We knew it wouldn t̓ be easy, but we were eager to start living intentionally.
Wewerepayingchunksofourfreedombytryingtofollowapaththat
wehadn’tchosen.
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31Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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The first step: Dominating our finances.WerealizedthattheDirstandmosttangibleobstaclewasourmessofa>inanciallife.Weweren’tbehindonpaymentsorgettingforeclosedon.Butwecertainlywereonthatpathifwedidn’tchangesomething.
Overthenextyear,westruggledtoadoptfrugality,budgeting,andlifewithoutconstantcredit.Wehadlotsoflearningtodo…somestrategiesworkedgreatandothersfailedhorribly.Butwekeptuptheintensityuntilweslowlyinstallednewhabits.
Weslashedourlifestyleandsoldeverythingwecould(includingoursmallbusinessandrentalproperty).Themoresmallwinswebegantohavethemoremomentumitseemedlikewewerebuilding.
Finally,atthebeginningof2009,wehadpaidoffeverythingbutourstudentloansinfull.Wehadcutupandcanceledallofourcreditcardsandclosedallofouroldloanaccounts.Mostimportantly(forus)wehadalsomanagedtosaveover$15,000forourtripononeincome.
Wehadn’tfullyfundedretirement.Neitherofushadsignedamulti‐milliondollarcontract.But,wehadtakenthe>irststep,andover18monthshadcompletelyturnedaroundour>inanciallife.
Werealizedthatthefirstandmosttangibleobstaclewasourmessofafinanciallife.
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32Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Our overseas adventure…Ournextbigstepwaslearninghowtotravel.Thatkindofsoundsfunny,butpeoplewhohavedoneitcanrelateIpresume.
OurDirstdestinationwasCairns,Australia.WehadplannedtoDindanapartmentgetacoupletouristyjobsonthebeachandjustrelax.Well…Itdidn’tturnoutthatway.
Welearnedquicklythatnotknowingasinglesoulintheentirecountrywasprobablygoingtobeourbiggesthurdle.Overthenextmonth,weworkedourwaydownAustralia’seasterncoast,meetingnewfriendsandlearningalittlebitwitheachstop.
AfterlearningofashortageofteachersinNewZealand(Courtney’sateacher),wedecidedonenighttohoponaplaneandheadtoAuckland,NZ.Onceagainweweren’tsurewhattherightdecisionwas.Wewerejustgoingwiththe>low.
Therewasonethingforsure,though.Weweredrivingthebus.Weweretheonesincontrol(forbetterorworse).
AfteramonthorsoinAuckland,Courtneyfoundanelementaryschoolwillingtosponsorherfortheremainingpartoftheyear.ItmadealotofsensebothculturallyandDinancially,sowetooktheoffer(andworkpermit).
Weleasedatiny,one‐bedroomapartmentintheheartofAucklandcityandfortheDirsttimegotasmalltasteofdowntowncityliving.Courtneytookthetrainanda20‐minutewalktoschooleachday,whileIstayedhomewithMilliganandtriedtogetsomewritingdonehereandthere.
Astheendoftheschoolyearapproached(inDecember),Courtneyhadtheopportunitytomakeayearcommitmentandstayandteach.Weelectedagainstcommittingforafullyearandinsteaddecideddoabitmoretravel.
Currently,wearewrappingupatwoweekdrivingtouroftheSouthIslandofNewZealand,beforewespendaweekinMelbourne,andtwomonthsinThailand.
Weweredrivingthebus.Weweretheonesincontrol.
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Our future…Wehavenoideawhatthefutureholds,whichisn’tnecessarilysomethingwedislike.
Therearealwaysgoingtobeupsanddownsandwe’vehadourfairshare.HadwestucktothetemplatelifestylewehadinIndiana,we’dbefarther“ahead”accordingtoalotoftraditionaldeDinitions.
Onceagain,Ican’ttellyouwhatwedidrightorwrong.There’saDinebalancebetweenactivelifestyledesignandrecklessness!
AllIcantellyouisthatwearehavingablast,learningaton,andgrowingmorethanwehadthoughtwecould.
For now, we l̓l take that. For us, that̓ s what breaking the template is all about.
Baker is currently traveling through New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand – Find him at ManVsDebt.com and on Twitter
wearehavingablast,learningaton,andgrowingmorethanwehadthoughtwecould.
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34Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Andrew NorcrossUntemplating the Tools
Better Late Than NeverAttheageof17,Igotajumponmypeersandgotafootintothecorporateworld.Iwasabletoturnahighschoolinternshipintoafulltimeentrylevelpositionatawellknown>inancial>irmattheageof18.Puttingcollegeontheback‐burner,Iworkedmyassoffandclimbedup.Within10years,Ihadavicepresidenttitle(withthesalarytomatch),anofDicewithawindow,myownassistant,andmanagedquitealargesumofmoneywithahighlevelofresponsibilityandprestige.
And I couldn t̓ have cared less.
Prestigedoesn’tful>illthesoul.Neitherdoesmoney.Followingyourdreamsdoes.Itriedtomaintainabitofindividuality,butthetattoosunderneaththesuitdidn’tdomuchtohelpmestandoutinawayIfeltcomfortable.Thegreenspikesandmohawksfrommyteenageyearshadturnedintoaclean‐cutimageanddemeanor.Thedecisiononwheretoplacenewtattoosinvolvedhowthey’dappearatwork.Allofasudden,‘Norcross’hadaMr.attachedtothefrontofit,andpeoplebegancallingme‘sir’withoutahintofirony.
And I slowly became miserable.Afterthemarketcrashinlate2008andearly2009,Ilostit.Watchingfolkswhohadtoiledawayattheirjobsfor20,30,even40yearsfreakingoutbecausetheynowhadto
postponetheirretirementgavemeamomentofclarity.Myjobandmylifestyleownedme.AndifIdidn’tdosomethingaboutitsoon,I’dbestuck.
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How My Dreams Became My LifestyleSinceIwasakid,computersandtechnologyiswhatIdidfor‘enjoyment’.Whatbeganasahobbyandbeinghelpfultofriendsandfamilybegantoturnintoarealisticcareer.Bythistime,however,Iwasmarried,hada1yearoldson,andamountainofdebtfrommywife’slawschooleducation.Ihadresponsibilities.Somydreamstookabackseat.Itinkeredatnightandontheweekends,butthatwasaboutit.
SoinJune2009,aftertalkingalotwithmywifeandsomeclosefriends,IdecidedIwasgoingtodoit.Iwasgoingtofollowmydreams.SoIgavemybossa5‐monthnoticeandbegantheprocessofbreakingmycorporatemindsetanduntemplatingmylife,buildingafreelancedesign&developmentbusiness,whileatthesametimereturningtoschooltoDinishthatbachelor’sdegreeInevergotaroundtoDinishing.ClientscameinquickerthanIeverimaginedtheywould.WhatIthoughtwouldtake6–9monthshappenedin6weeks.Iworkedover100hoursaweek.Isleptanaverageof4hoursanight.Inearlydisappearedfrompublic.
And it was worth it
OnDecember18th2009,Ileftmyjob,thesafetyoftheofDiceandstartedMYlife.TheoneIchoseformyself.Attheageof29,IDinallystartedlivingmyownlifeonmyterms.
Prestigedoesn’tfulfillthesoul.Neitherdoesmoney.Followingyourdreamsdoes.
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How Social Media Broke the MoldIhadlongbeenactiveonsiteslikeTwitterandBrazenCareerist.com.WhileIhadbeenbloggingforyears,itwassporadicatbest.IhadmorefunbuildinganddesigningblogsthanIeverdidwritingthem.AndasIconnectedwithmoreandmorepeopleinthesocialmediaspace,Irealizedthatmyskillforassistingfolkswithtechnologywasarealgift.Likemostfolks,Ilearnedbytrialanderror.Ihavealwayshadacynicallookontheworldofmarketingandadvertising(goingbacktomypunkrockroots),butIcouldn’tdenytherealconnectionsIhadbeenmakinginsocialmedia.NottomentionclientleadsandwordofmouthrecommendationsthatIbeganreceiving.Seeminglyfromnowhere,Iwasbecominganauthority,andexperteven.Quitethejumpfromthe‘geek’IhadalwaysclassiDiedmyselfas.
How to Use the Tools to Break the Template LifestyleI’llbetheDirsttoadmit,I’magadgetgeekandacomputernerd.IhadacomputerinmyhomethedayIwasborn,andbeganwritingsimpledBase+andQBasiccodeattheageof9.SoI’mnaturallyinclinedtousetechnologytomakeataskeasier.Sodoit!Don’tjustrunoutandbuyaMacbecausethecommercialssaythey’reeasier.Sitdown,>igureoutwhatyouneedyourtechnologytodo,thenDindoutthebestwaytodoit.Afterall,technologyissimplyatool,ameanstoanend.Andyes,getoutthereandbegintoconnectwithlikemindedfolks.Don’tjustturnyourTwittersteamintoanotherplacetospitoutyournewestblogpost,butreallyconnect.Replytopeople.CommentonpostsyouDindinteresting.Haveapersonality,notjustausername.
Ileftmyjob,thesafetyoftheofficeandstartedMYlife.TheoneIchoseformyself.
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Whatʼs Next?Ihavenoidea.Andthat’sagoodthing.I’mexpectedtograduateinlate2011withadegreeinITManagement,andmyfreelancebusinesscouldgettothepointthatIneverreturntoanof>ice.Onlytimewilltell.Butinthemeantime,Igettobeabetterfather,husband,andfriend.IgettobecontentwiththeworkIamdoing.AndIgettobethetattooednerdinjeansandatshirtthatIalwaysknewIwas.
Norcross lives in St. Petersburg, FL — Find him at andrewnorcross.com and restlesslikeme.com, and on Twitter
Sitdown,figureoutwhatyouneedyourtechnologytodo,thenfindoutthebestwaytodoit.
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Carlos MiceliUntemplating the Mind
The Untemplate Lifestyle Has Never Been More RealisticWhatanopportunitythatwehaveaheadofus.I’mnotsureeveryone’sawareoftheamazingtimethatwearelivingin.
Technologyandglobalizationaregivingusaccesstoanimpressiveamountoftoolsandpeoplethatonly10yearsagowereunimaginable.Really,whatwillescapefromtherealmofpossibilityforallofusinthe21stcentury,in2010?Combinethetoolsofcommunication,productivityandautomationwithpeople’sdesiretoimprovetheirlivesandformstrongrelationships,andtheopportunitiesareendless.
Theuntemplatelifestyleisknockingonyourdoor.It’shere.Andthereasonwhyyoushouldansweritscall,it’sbecausethepossibilitiesjustifyit.
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Justtobeclear,thisisnotadreamylifestyle.
It’snotanunrealisticlifestyle.
It’snotalifestylewithoutanymoney.
It’snotthelifestylefortheimmature.
AndIcanassureyouthatitisdeDinitelynotaneasylifestyle.
It’sthelifestyleforpeoplethataretiredofsociety’srulesandbarriers,thatcanseethatthere’ssomethingbetterinthefuture,andthatarewillingtoworkhardenoughtoachieveit.
Technologyandglobalizationaregivingusaccesstoanimpressiveamountoftoolsandpeoplethatonly10yearsagowereunimaginable.
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The End Of Standard Requirements And My Personal Untemplater StoryTobeseriousaboutthispathyouhavetorealize,amongotherthings,thattherearenolongerany“haveto’s.”Thereisnocleardecision,nosafechoice,nostablelife.Thebiggestconsequenceofallthisinnovationandglobalizationisafastpacedchange,andthemostimportantthingaboutitisthatthere’snowaytoescapeit.Soifyouthinkthatyouhavetohaveacollegedegreeorthatyouhavetohaveacorporatejobinordertohaveasafelife,youareinforabigsurprise.Theonlythingyouneedtohaveisindependencyofideals.SinceeveryonecanbeaffectedbychangeshappeninginanyplaceonEarth,youmightaswelltakeyourlifeinyourownhandsandenjoywhileyouareatit.
ThatiswhatIrealizednottoolongago.
WhenyouconsiderwhereIcomefrom(BuenosAires,Argentina),understandingthatIcouldlivelifebymyownsetofruleswasnotsimple.WearewaybehindtheUSinentrepreneurialspirit,dreamsofprofessionalfreedomandde>ianceofthestatusquo.Butthankstotheinternet,IwasabletoDindinformationthattaughtmemorethancollegeeverdid,andconnectedwithamazingpeoplethatinspiredmemorethanmyfamilyevercould.
OnlyayearagoIwasstudyingMarketingatthebestuniversityinthecountryandwastheyoungestSalesExecutiveinB2BatoneoftheTop5Argentineancompanies.Iwasconstantlypampered,offeredagreatcorporatefutureandadreamypaycheck.
…youhavetorealize,amongotherthings,thattherearenolongerany
“haveto’s.”
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And I was miserable.
So,Ihadtochangesomething,andjustacoupleofmonthsago,Idid.Ileftmyjob,wentintothestartupandfreelanceworld,andinJune2010I’mgoingtomovetoPerth,Australiatostudy.
Needlesstosay,mylifehasneverbeenbetter.Hey,wehavetowalkthetalk,right?
Loving The Uncertainty Is The Only Way To SmileNow,letmeexplaintoyousomethingveryimportant,maybethekeyelementofeveryuntemplater:youhavetoliveonedayatthetime.Youhavetotrustthataslongasyoubustyourassgoingafterwhatyoubelievein,thingswillfallinplace.Themomentyoustartgettingworriedbecauseyoucan’tseeyourfutureclearlyisthemomentwheretheclawsoffearandboredomwillgetaholdofyouagain.Inreality,noonecanseethefutureclearly,butsomethinktheycan.Nobodyknowswhatwillhappen,buttheonlydifferenceisthatuntemplatersrealizeit,acceptit,andmakethebestoutoftheirtimewhilebelievinginthemselvesandtheirvision.
Funnythingaboutuntemplaters:theyareallhappy.Iamnotkidding.Whenyoumeetthem,youcantellthattheyenjoytheirlives,theylikewhattheydoandgrowdoingit.Youshaketheirhand,lookthemintheeyes,andit’sanimmediatespiritualconnectionthatonlyhappensbetweentwopeoplethathavedecidedtobedifferent,tobebetter.There’snodenyingthatglow.Believeme,onceyouembracethelifestyle,you’llseeittoo.It’sjustbeautiful.
Funnythingaboutuntemplaters:theyareallhappy.
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The Endless Dot ConnectionIalwaysquoteSteveJobswhentryingtoexplainmydecisions:“Youcan’tconnectthedotslookingforward.Youcanonlyconnectthemlookingbackwards.”There’salwayssomedot,someactivity,personormomentinyourlifethat,haditnothappened,youwouldn’tbewhereyouaretoday.
It’sbecauseIhatedmyjobanduniversitythatIlookedforintellectualgrowthontheinternet.It’sbecauseofthatthatIstartedblogging,whichledmetoconnectwithalltheseamazingpeoplewhoI’mlaunchingUntemplaterwith.Idon’tneedtotellyouthatdotconnectingcangoveryfarinyourpast,butitdoesn’tstopbeingtruth.
Now,therealreasonIlikethisquotesomuchisbecausenowadaysthedotsareendless.Thinkaboutit:howmanydotscanstumbleintoyourlifeifyouembraceglobalization,technologyandyourdreams?Thepathiseasierthanever,youjusthavetowalkit.Butwhenthewholeworldisyourmarketandyourhome,walkingitisabsolutelythrilling.
Thepathiseasierthanever,youjusthavetowalkit.
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43Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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In The End, Itʼs All You. But We Can Help!Untemplaterisnotforeveryone.Youhavetofaceyourownfears.YouhavetoWANTtohaveabetterandmoreinterestinglife.Otherwise,allouradvicewillremaininthewrittenword,andforyoutoaccomplishyourgoals,youhavetoturnthewordsintoaction.But,ifyouactuallydohavethatlittlevoicewhisperingtoyoueverytimeyougototheofDicetellingyouthattherehastobesomethingmore(whichI’mbettingthatyoudo),thenwewantyoutojoinus.Wehaveallbeenthereandwanttohelpyoubreakoutofthetemplateaswell.Youhavenoideahowgooditfeels.
Onelastthing:Idon’tlikecutedreamyvisionsoftheworld,optimismforoptimism’ssake.I’maveryrealisticperson.Ihaveathingforphilosophyandpsychology,notathingforfantasyandutopia.Isaythisbecauseweareseriousaboutourproposal.Wewantyoutobreakthetemplatelifestyleinarealisticway.Wewantyoutohavethetimeandmoneyyouwanttoachieveyourobjectives,andtheappropriatementalitytoenjoyit.It’seasytosaythingslike“followyourpassion”,butwewillgofarbeyondthat,wewilltackleallthelittlethingsthatmakegoalscometrue.
IamverypassionateaboutUntemplater,notonlybecauseoftheamazingpeoplebehindit,butbecauseIcan’ttellyouhowsaditistorealizethatfewpeoplearesmilingtheirwaythroughlifelikewedo.Weneedmorecompany.
In 2010, we need your company.
Now, whereʼs that smile?!
Carlos currently lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina – Find him at OwlSparks.com and on Twitter
Untemplaterisnotforeveryone.Youhavetofaceyourownfears.Youhavetowanttohaveabetterandmoreinterestinglife.
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44Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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Donʼt Stop There. Take Action!Wehopethestoriesofthesesixremarkablelivesentertainedandinspiredyou.We’reasmallgroupofunconventionalfolkswhohopetobuildathrivingcommunityforanyonewhoeversoughtmoreoutoflife—andwehopetohelpyoulearnhowtosidestepthetraditionallifetoDindthecareer,relationships,andlifestylethatmakesyoucomealive!
For concrete, actionable steps to live an unconventional lifestyle, join us at Untemplater.com to work where you want to work, live how you want to live, and be who you want to be in 2010.
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45Work where you want, Live how you want, and Be what you want to be in 2010
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The Untemplater Team
Adam BakerBakerisahusbandtoCourtney,DadatoMilligan,andkickassbloggeroveratManVs.Debt.TheBakerfamilyphilosophyissimple:Sellyourcrap.Payoffyourdebt.Dowhatyoulove.TheyarecurrentlytryingtodojustthatsomewhereinbetweenNewZealandandThailand.
Andrew NorcrossNorcrossisaWordpressninja,freelancewebdeveloper,ITconsultant,student,husband,father,andoverallregulargeekforhire.HecurrentlylivesinSt.Petersburg,Florida,withhiskickasswifeandrockandrollson.FindhimatAndrewNorcross.com.
Carlos MiceliCarlosisanArgentineanblogger,freelancerandentrepreneurwithathingforphilosophy,psychologyandsocialmedia.HegottiredofsettlingwiththebestBuenosAireshadtoofferandisnowpursuingthebesttheworldhastooffer.In2010he’llmovetoPerth,Australia,lookingforadeeperlearningexperiencethanjustwhataclassroombrings.ReadhiscontinuouseffortstoupsettheestablishedorderatOwlSparks.
Cody McKibbenCodyisanomadicentrepreneur,lifestyledesigner,andtravelerwhowritesatThrillingHeroics.HeprovidesnonproTitsandinnovativesocialentrepreneurswithwebdevelopmentandsocialmediaconsultingservices,andalsoservesasAdvisor,Donor&VolunteerforInSearchOfSanuk.
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Jun LoayzaJunistheCoFounderandCMOofViralogyandthePresidentofSocialMediaMarketing.com.Whenhe'snotbuildinghisstartupcompanies,youcanTindJundoingcardioatthegym,optimizinghisTinances,orspendingtimewithhisgirlfriendKimEar.FindhimatJunLoayza.com.
Monica OʼBrienMonicaisaMarketingConsultantspecializinginmarketingstrategyandconsumerinsightsatthejunctureofnewmediaandtraditionalmarketing.SheisauthorofMonicaObrien.comandtherecentbookSocialPollination.
Dariane NaborDarianeisourincrediblyhelpfulintern.SheiscurrentlyanundergraduatestudentatUCLA,expectingtograduatein2010withaB.A.inSociology.BornandraisedinDelano,atowninCalifornia’scentralvalley,she’salsothefounder/editorofThePopcornKids,andaIndependentConsultantforScentsy,Inc
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Did You Like this Free Manifesto?Pleasespreadthemessage!Emailthisbooktoallyourfriendswhoarestuckindeadendjobstheyhate…sendittoyourrelativeswhorecentlygotlaidoffwhentheeconomytanked.Reviewit.Quoteit.Remixit!
Whateveryoudowithit,it'stimetostarttakingcontrolofyourlifeandyourcareer!Anythingispossible.Butit'suptoyoutoDigureoutwhatyou'repassionateaboutandstarttakingACTIONtowardsmakingyourdreamsareality.
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