It is impossible to judge who has the best job or lifestyle, since everyone has different aspirations and ideals. Some celebrities gripe about the pitfalls of fame; yet there are many more people searching for their 15 minutes. Not everyone will become the next creator of a popular social networking site, nor does everyone want to be.
Yesterday I wrote a post about the qualities of an innovator and the process they use to create something new; however that need not be your goal. There are many other ways to use the qualities of innovation.  If you want to change your lifestyle, by working from home, starting your own company, or traveling more often, it is possible. There will always be constraints, but sometimes constraints garner creativity and dedication. I realize that as a woman in my twenties, I don’t have the responsibilities of a family or a mortgage. It would be naive of me to assume that it is just as easy for everyone, however it is not impossible to make changes little by little.
Travel is something I consider to be a very important part of my life. If travel and working for yourself is something you are passionate about, you can start off by trying these strategies:
Use Past Experience: Many people who love travel find ways to travel so despite having a job. Alan from The 9 to 5 Alternative works as a surveyor for an information services company. He is able to travel the world as he gathers cost-of-living data for his company. Jobs like his allow for lots of travel. If you would like to quit your 9-5 someday, you can start save up money now, until you are ready to start your new endeavors. I used to work in media and now have ventured into the world of online/new media. Things I’ve done in the past help me to move forward with what I’m doing now.
Do Your Research: Before you make any big life decision you should be asking a lot of questions. You need to do your research and make sure you are making the right moves. Granted you don’t want to worry needlessly, and being prepared will take away some of that worry. You also need to figure out your expenses and income, and if you have enough saved to make a transition.
Learn From Others: You can learn so much from watching others doing what you would like to do. I have been inspired by so many people, and I continue to learn from them every day. If you are considering life on the road you should check out others who are already living the life you desire. Some of my favorite examples of people who have successfully accomplished introducing travel into their lives are Christine Gilbert at Almost Fearless, Chris Guillebeau at The Art of Non-Conformity, Alan Perlman at The 9 to 5 Alternative, and Matt at Nomadic Matt. Their posts will inspire lots of people to start traveling.
Experiment: Start slowly and try out your new lifestyle before you jump right in. It is easy to idealize a situation without considering some possible downsides. Traveling for a living, starting your own company, or being a freelancer may not be the right choices for you. Before you quit your job and make any big decisions, you should try things out in small bursts. You could use a bulk of you vacation time and live they way you would be if you were on the road for awhile. That means no fancy hotels, unless you have a trust fund or some kind rich relatives. If you want to work for yourself, start doing so right now (without quitting your day job). Sure it seems nice to work in your pajamas and enjoy breakfast at your personal computer, but it is often hard work in the beginning.
Network: Once you make a change in your lifestyle, you will encounter a whole new set of demands and social network. It is important to get involved with this network whether it be fellow travelers, fellow writers, or fellow artists and designers.
Related posts:
