Golden Book Traveler

What in the World I’ve Been Doing11/13/2011

I’ll admit. It’s been quite some time since I’ve done my last update, almost 8 months to be exact. During that time I have not done much traveling. I took a couple of business trips to New York and San Francisco, but I do not consider those Golden Book Traveler material.

I’ve settled back into the great city of Austin, Texas. Austin provides me the opportunity to work in my environment of choice, startups. Im at a point in my life where I am taking some time to hone some of my skills-sets. What skills you might ask? Here’s a few

Web Design
Passive Income Earning
Email Marketing
Wakeboarding
Video Editing
Improv
Living with Passion!

The last skill-set I attempt to master on a daily basis.

I’ve thought about travel a lot of late. How can I maintain the lifestyle I want while still being able to travel around the world? The answer is to take small trips until the next big adventure. When can will the next big adventure be?

2 years or less!

Since I moved to Austin I’ve experienced quite a few changes. I left the solo self-employed entrepreneur scene and now work for a small startup. I still have the freedom and flexability as before but still face many of the challenges that “9 – 5-ers” experience. Most notably deadlines and reports. I am blessed to have the freedom to work remote on days that I choose, while showing up to the office when the rest of my team needs me there.

Most importantly, I latched onto a nonprofit group called Explore Austin that excites and challenges me. It has been an amazing experience working with under-privelaged kids to help shape their lives for the better. This group is unlike any group I am a member of. I am challenged every activity to use my leadership, communication, team-building, and to a lesser extent athletic skills to overcome problems and to complete tasks. I absolutely LOVE every moment of it!

Rock climbing, hiking, biking, and canoeing are just a few of the activities we do on a bi-monthly basis with these amazing kids. Unlike my job, which I can do from anywhere in the world, I NEED to be there for the young children.

Here is an example of one of the many activities we do at Explore Austin.

Which is why I am committed for at least the next 2 years living in Austin.

During the time I am here I will continue to learn, grow and save for the next big travel adventure. I’ve already began the process! I hope to stay a bit longer than 7 months, and learn a few languages along the way. An epic adventure through South America or Malaysia awaits! I have yet to decide on the schedule.

Lastly I have began putting together photo and video footage from my last 7 months in Europe and Africa. My skill sets have improved in the area of video editing and hope to have an 8 – 10 video montage of the experience. Here is a trailer.

I am still working on my first E-Book “70 Vacations in 7 Months”. I am about halfway done. As promised those of you who attended my SXSW presentation “How to Make Money Traveling Around the World” will receive the first prints.