Untemplater Manifesto
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1 Work 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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1Work where you want, Live how you want, Be what you want to be
The Untemplater Manifesto
Six Real-World Untemplater Case Studies
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.
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
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
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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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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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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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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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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I am you…YoucanaccomplisheverythingthatIhavedoneandIwillshowyouhowtodoit.
Ihavebuiltasocialmedia‐marketingagencyfrom$0inrevenuetoover$120,000inrevenueinfewerthan6months.
I’mthefounderofaninternetstartupthathasreceivedangelfunding,employsover10people,andsupportsanofDiceinSanFrancisco.
Igatheredateamofincrediblymotivated,successful,andambitiousbloggerstowardsauniDiedgoaltoteachothershowtobreakthetemplatelifestyle.
IdoallofthisandamstillabletomaintainanincrediblyhappyrelationshipwithmygirlfriendKimEar,whichisproofthatyouareabletoseparateyourworkandlifeasanentrepreneur.
YoucanaccomplisheverythingthatIhavedoneandIwillshowyouhowtodoit.
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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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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.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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