The Whole Scoop: Why I Almost Shut Down The Growing Life
You’re about to read a long-ass post. But before you grab a cup of coco and put on your reading glasses . . .
Here’s What I Want You to Do
If you support the spirit of this blog and have gained anything from The Growing Life, then I’d really appreciate your completing this “Finance Your Freedom” questionnaire. If you wax the survey then the gods of good luck will shower benevolence upon you for all eternity. I promise.
Also, if you have any questions about funding your freedom, please email them to me at claycollins [at] gmail [dot] com; I’ll be answering as many questions as I can on the Finance Your Freedom mailing list: you can sign up for it here:
Ok, now to the part about me almost shutting down The Growing Life. It all begins with . . .
A Series of AWESOME Conversations
About a month ago I started having daily conversations with readers of this blog. What I discovered OVER and OVER again was that most everyone reading The Growing Life “gets” all this liberation stuff I’ve been talking about. I’ve heard over and over again that I validate your alternative lifestyle aspirations. And I’m happy to have done this. Really.
So you may be thinking . . .
“So Why Shut Down The Growing Life?”
As I said earlier, I talk to a reader of this blog nearly every day. And nearly everyone I’ve spoken to has the exact same reason why they can’t quit their 9-5 job and live the life they want. Want to take a guess what that reason is?
You’re right: it’s money.
But it’s really more complex than that. You see, quitting your 9-5 job and recreating your life takes a LOT of time. Creating alternative sources of income takes time. And building a lifestyle from scratch takes time. And the list goes on.
And most people can’t afford their own time. This bears repeating . . .
If You’re Like Most People, then Large Corporations Can Afford Your Time But You Cannot
If you’re like most people, then you can’t survive without selling your time to someone else.
How fucked up is that?
So the real problem really isn’t money, it’s our inability to buy our own time. (Most people could liberate themselves if they could just buy enough of their own time).
So I Almost Shut Down The Growing Life Because . . .
I honestly believe that The Growing Life provides validation and beneficial perspectives. I doubt, however, that this blog – if it stays on its current path – will provide you with real, concrete, tangible, and lasting results that stand to significantly improve your life. (This realization had me discouraged and moved me to attempt to sell my blog. An offer for $10k fell through and I turned down a second offer for $12k).
The blogosphere is a very supportive place, but I’m not looking for validation, support, or encouragement here. I’m not looking for reassurances that I’ve done a good job with this blog.
Just hear me out.
I almost sold The Growing Life because I’m done writing about (or railing against) productivity; I really don’t give a shit about my productivity or yours (the most amazing, value-giving, and even wealthy people I know don’t give a rats ass about productivity because they’re too busy marching to the beat of their own drummer and changing the world).
I know this blog provides validation to people already pursuing alternative lifestyles, but that’s not what I’m trying to do.
I’m not writing to provide validation. I’m not writing to give you a nifty new idea that you can have an intellectual debate over with your friends. I’m not blogging for Digg. I’m not trying to give interesting bullet point tips that people skim. I’m not writing for productivity hobbyists, personal development hobbyists, etc. I’m not writing in the hopes of getting 1000 more subscribers.
I am, however, writing for YOU. Because I sincerely seek to provide information that will be helpful in a real way that will actually make your life better a week from now, a month from now, and a year from now.
So . . .
The Growing Life Won’t Go Away
I’m recreating this blog from the ground up to help people purchase their own time. I’m recreating this blog around the sole mission of helping people finance their freedom.
The next incarnation of The Growing Life won’t be a blog for dabblers (note: and it will be called “Finance Your Freedom” instead of “Project Liberation”).
Finance Your Freedom will be for people with a serious commitment to quitting their jobs, building alternative income streams, buying back their time, and escaping the rat race.
In the NYTimes Bestseller entitled “The Four Hour Work Week,” Timothy Ferriss provides 64-pages on how to fund your Four-Hour Work Week. Timothy Ferriss provided a great introduction to the logistics of liberation, but Funding Your Freedom will have a laser beam, long-term, and sustained focus on the financial and logistical aspects of liberation. Finance Your Freedom will show you how to work around 30 hours per week FOR YOURSELF and doing WORK YOU LOVE (and still have time for a min-retirement here and there).
So the new incarnation of The Growing Life (i.e. Finance Your Freedom) will be practical, and it will have a laser beam focus. If this narrow focus means that I’ll lose readers (who are looking for more general content) then so be it. That’s just the cost of providing practical solutions.
Why I Can Help With the Money Thing (i.e. My Story)
I’ve never really told my story. Here goes . . .
I am, in one sense, a highly unmotivated person. The part of my brain that forces me to work on things I don’t care about stopped working – for the most part – when I was 15 years old (that’s when I left high school to start a software company with my friend Sean).
By some miracle, I managed to (1) graduate from college, and (2) get good grades. But that’s where the traditional success ends. From there it’s a series of jobs I don’t like and general frustration.
I tried liberating myself from dead-end jobs by creating companies (on the side) and dabbling in various business ventures. But none of these ventures ever got me over the “hump.” My ventures would make enough money keep me going, but not enough money to allow me to quit my job.
It was frustrating.
Over time and with a lot of persistence, however, I started to accumulate a group of friends who were self-employed and living life on THEIR terms. Some of these people were internet marketers, some of them were small business owners, and some of them were vagabonders travelling across the world.
I made a conscious effort to meet and befriend liberated people, and I found myself asking all of them about their “liberation story” (i.e. the process by which they freed themselves from their 9-5 job).
The liberation stories were varied and fascinating. The bizarre thing is that many of my friends found their success by doing counterintuitive things that actually worked. Things I would have never tried.
What I noticed that the liberation paths of the people I interviewed all shared many of the same steps and phases.
I also noticed that these liberated people shared very similar ideas and philosophies about making money.
What I learned from these “liberation stories” compelled me to rethink my approach to self-employment. And I promptly quit my job AND graduate school.
Remember when I wrote that I was going for broke, quitting my job, and might end up eating rice and beans forever? Well, it took me two weeks to get to the point where I was making more than I was making before I quit my job. Just two weeks.
I also started spending 4+ hours each day learning everything I could about internet marketing and making money online. I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, because internet marketing and the whole “making money online” thing has a bad rap. But oh well — I’m just happy about about not having to go into work every day.
Anyway, I now have this income thing handled (I’ve actually have had it handled for a while now).
You could drop me naked and penniless in the 3rd world country and I’d probably be able to make a living from an internet cafe in about 2 days.
Ok, so that’s the extent of the bragging.
So I’ve documented the common stages and phases that nearly every “liberated” person I’ve talked to has undergone. And I’ve organized these phases into a set of principles. Furthermore, I’ve taught these principals to a handful of friends (and coaching clients) and many of them are starting to have the same results that I’ve had.
Something about this information seems to get people crystal clear on what they need to do and motivate them to act in effective ways.
I don’t have a magic bullet, but I’ve found some shit that works.
So Finance your Freedom (i.e. my upcoming project/blog/black-hole of time) will be a very honest and sobering attempt to help people quit their job and develop alternative income streams. It will focus on both the “inner game” of liberation and on some of my favorite tactics.
So given these developments . . .
Here’s What I Think You Should Do With Your Subscription to The Growing Life
I hope you hold onto you TGL subscription and never let go. When Finance your Freedom launches, your subscription will automatically be moved over.
Of course the best way to get the latest updates on Finance Your Freedom will by signing up here for the email notifications and opportunities to join mastermind groups with like-minded people.
Stay tuned . . . Finance Your Freedom will launch in . . .
See you then!
For more hucksterism, pick up a free subscription to The Growing Life.
Jay said,
Wrote on August 20, 2008 @ 5:33 pm
I’m not going anywhere, especially now that you’re starting to swear. Though I will miss the bullet points.
Scott said,
Wrote on August 20, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
I remember a rich person on CNBC saying… Entrepreneurs normally do poorly in school. They go against what their supposed to do and do what makes them happy. Sounds like you’re one of “those” people.
ElegantCelebBlogger said,
Wrote on August 20, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
Good points, but at least this blog got people thinking about freedom. Looking forward to reading FYF in 40 days!
Lodewijk said,
Wrote on August 20, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
Now this is going to be interesting :) You haven’t sold it, but you’re rebranding it anyway (euhm…why not do both?)
Signed up for the newsletter, very curious to see what you come up with in 40 days and a bit.
West said,
Wrote on August 20, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
I’ll be following closely, Clay, and will be doing a lot of linking and cross-posting of your material as I further develop my own site, which is not particularly related to yours, save for the fact that we’re operating on some similar principals with similar goals…
I don’t suppose you’ve read any Stuart Wilde have you? A lot of what I’ve been reading on your site seems to reflect many of his teachings…
Lisa @Finding Balance, Naturally said,
Wrote on August 20, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
I’m really excited to read Finance Your Freedom, and get on the path to actually doing it myself. This type of information is so needed.
Jonathan Mead said,
Wrote on August 20, 2008 @ 8:42 pm
This may sound really stupid, but I completely missed the part in your post about “project liberation” where you said that you were quitting your job. I didn’t even know you had a job.
I’m really looking forward to Financing Your Freedom. Just to get things straight, is Financing Your Freedom and Project Liberation going to be one thing, or two things?
Btw, maybe ala Chow your tagline should be “I liberate myself telling other people how I liberate myself.”
Khürt Williams said,
Wrote on August 20, 2008 @ 8:42 pm
I did well in school but I have not done as well with finances or with life. Looking forward to seeing how your new adventure goes.
Dave Navarro said,
Wrote on August 20, 2008 @ 8:49 pm
This looks to be something awesome. Check your email.
Christine said,
Wrote on August 20, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
Clay,
I’m living proof that you can walk away from a 9-5 job and create a better life. I even walked away from a second career that should have been “great”, but it was killing me to work in it (I left even though it took years and lots of money to prepare for it). Now, I have more free time, less stress and good money working on my own in a third field (welcome to career #3). I could never imagine going back to a 9-5 life again.
I’m excited to hear what you have to say about creating even more freedom and developing alternative income streams that aren’t so tied to my presence. I don’t want to hire anyone else in my current field and I don’t really want to own a “job” any more than I already do.
I’ll be waiting!
Michael Martine said,
Wrote on August 20, 2008 @ 11:17 pm
This is so cool. Looking forward to it, my friend.
Evelyn Lim said,
Wrote on August 20, 2008 @ 11:20 pm
I’ve always admired your guts. I’d be looking forward to your new site and for the new and exciting things you have in store!
All the best!
Evelyn
Dustin said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 12:02 am
Sounds very interesting! Hopefully it wont turn out as another internet marketing blog that earns the owner a small fortune if it becomes really popular ;)
I’m really hoping you create something “unique” :)
BTW: Do you know wickedfire / bluehatseo / digitalpoint / warriorforum ? Might be of interest to you..
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 12:32 am
I look forward to the new blog. I’m just about to launch my internet sales business and will appreciate any help I can get on it.
Vered said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 12:48 am
I said it before: from the other side, the side that believes corporate life can be used to one’s advantage, I do believe in you and in your ideas. Good luck with everything. Luck and great timing, in addition to talent and hard work, are an important part of most success stories. I’ll see you on Finance Your Freedom.
Clay Collins said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 1:02 am
Thanks so much everyone for the nice words. I’m really enjoying putting FYF together and hope you’ll join me for TGL 2.0. Thanks a ton.
–Clay
Kelly@SHE-POWER said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 2:03 am
Okay, you’ve got me intrigued. I’ll be there.
Kel
Bobby Handzhiev said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 2:04 am
I sincerely hope “Finance Your Freedom” will not be yet another “make money online” blog. The growing life is different, that’s why we are here. I hope your new one will have the same vibrations.
Clay Collins said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 2:17 am
I want to assure everyone that Finance Your Freedom won’t just be another “Make Money Online” blog.
It will be grounded in the ideas expressed here.
But I feel that logistics are important. And helping people with the “inner game” and “out game” of liberation is very important to me.
Hence the new project (which will be much more than a blog).
FYF will be as much about liberation as it will be about making money. I promise.
Serge said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 2:58 am
Answered your questionnaire. Actually I know what i need to become free and more happy. I need to become real master of my trade. And by “my trade” I mean “something that I like to do”. In my case, it’s web development and translation.
Chris @ Lifestyleproject said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 3:32 am
Clay, another inspiring post.
I can’t wait for this. Liberating myself from the 9-5 is my number one goal.
Monika Mundell said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 3:51 am
Clay,
You have me intrigued and I look forward to see you on the other side. As it happens, I’m just reading the 4-hour work week now and am dead set on moving head to liberation.
Paul Montwill said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 5:00 am
So what do you do for a leaving now, Clay? :-) Tell us!
Jye Smith said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 6:45 am
You’ve got my support!! Great post. Keep it coming.
http://www.jyesmith.com/the-growing-life-almost-shut-down/
The Financial Philosopher said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 8:15 am
Clay:
As a follower of your blog for several months, I feel compelled to match your “long-ass post” in kind…
I believe I can be more of a “friend” by asking you a few tough questions rather than “pat you on the back” like everyone else:
It sounds as if you are a person who has difficulty finishing things that you start. How is “Finance Your Freedom” any different? Is this really something that reflects “who you are” or is it an imitation of other similar ideas, such as “4-hour work week?”
How do you define “freedom?”
Do you believe you have “found” something or do you believe you are “in search of” something?
How can you lead others to “financial freedom” if you’ve not done it before? Or have you?
Is there really such thing as “financial freedom?” Is it not more prudent to seek contentment?
You said in your post that “Finance Your Freedom” is not for you but for the readers. Since I don’t know you, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt but I still find it difficult to believe that this new project is absolutely an altruistic venture.
Here’s my assessment: You are trying to “figure out” the world and your personality has you floating around like a leaf in the wind. You are not doing this new project for anyone but yourself because it helps you make sense of things. Your writing is not a selfless exercise to “help” people — your writing helps yourself, and if it helps others then that is even better.
I could be wrong, but if I’m right in my assessment, then you are exactly like me…
As always, I will crystallize my thoughts with those of someone else — this time all of the thoughts are from the same person — Michel de Montaigne:
“I know well what I am fleeing from but not what I am in search of.”
“Not being able to govern events, I govern myself.”
“No wind serves him who addresses his voyage to no certain port.”
“I put forward formless and unresolved notions, as do those who publish doubtful questions to debate in the schools, not to establish the truth but to seek it.”
“Every one rushes elsewhere and into the future, because no one wants to face one’s own inner self.”
“I write to keep from going mad from the contradictions I find among mankind - and to work some of those contradictions out for myself.”
Let me know if I can do anything to help. I am an entrepreneur on a path to self-discovery and would be happy to share more thoughts with you.
Kent @ The Financial Philosopher
————————————
response:
Hi Kent,
Thanks for the comments. I have found financial freedom. But my site isn’t about financial freedom. It’s about the logistical aspects of liberation. It’s about the practicalities and real world aspects of freeing one’s self from a 9-5 job.
And I never once say that I don’t benefit from my own writing. I love writing and find it very rewarding.
Thanks again for the questions,
Clay
Maria | Never the Same River Twice said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 8:48 am
Clay, as you know, I recently had my own existential blogging crisis and come back a better blogger for it. I KNOW that you’ll do the same.
If you can honestly provide an authentic, ethical way to accomplish what Tim outlines in what many consider the most useless section of his book - well, you’re a genius. I look forward to bowing at your feet.
Charlie Gilkey said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 9:57 am
I love the brute honesty of this post, Clay.
I also like Kent’s questions.
I’ll be there with you - check your email.
I wonder what view of productivity you don’t give a shit about. Is it merely the lifehack/GTD conception? - in which case I’m there with you.
Or is the conception of productivity as a way of instantiating oneself in the world? I’m not seeing how FYF is much different than that.
Much grist for my blog mill - which is why I appreciate Clay Collins, however he chooses to spread his message.
MonkMojo said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 11:00 am
Donate…“It’ll be spent on food and rent” 6-05-08
To:
“I have found financial freedom” 8-21-08
All in two and a half months! Wow, great job Clay! I look forward to seeing the secret on your new website!
Dot H. | Deeper Issues said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 11:37 am
I’m as skeptical as Kent. I’ve seen far too many people who claim to be making money from their passion, but what they end up doing is not being able to make money from their passion, so they turn to making money from offering seminars (or the print counterpart) on how to make money from one’s passion. Kind of like the guy who wrote Rich Dad, Poor Dad, whose claims that he got rich from taking his own advice were proven false. He makes his money from his seminars.
In your case, I’m guessing you make your money from your private clients, who become clients through your blog. But how do your clients make their money? Is it from what they long to do or from advising others?
So, looking forward to seeing some real “product” here….
————————–
Reply:
Well, unlike the Rich Dad, Poor Dad author, I’m not claiming to have made millions. I do, however, claim that I used incoming generated directly from this blog, as well as AdWords affiliate programs, and work with clients to — at first — hack together an income doing things that I loved.
Once I was able to HACK together an income, I used my newfound freedom and lifestyle as a base from which to create steady and dependable streams of income. I’ll be writing about that later.
I’m not selling a “Proven System (TM) for Creating On-Demand Cashflow.” In fact, right now I’m not selling anything.
I have, however, created the life I want. I’m comfortable and have radical amounts of freedom and flexibility. And that’s what’s most important to me. Life is better than it’s ever been.
–Clay
Emilie said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 12:19 pm
Hurry up. I can’t take this crap much longer… :)
The Financial Philosopher said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
Clay:
Thanks for the direct response. It appears, as I suspected, that you have a good sense of your direction. I only read a few blogs and I like to gain an understanding of the person behind the words.
It is quite easy to fall prey to the “illusion” that is the blogosphere, both as a reader and as a writer, and my faith is restored that you are “real.”
“Art has a double face, of expression and illusion, just like science has a double face: the reality of error and the phantom of truth.” ~ Publilius Syrus
“Illusions commend themselves to us because they save us pain and allow us to enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality against which they are dashed to pieces.” ~ Sigmund Freud
I will look forward to following your “growing life” with the new project and again, please let me know if there is anything I can do to help…
Kent @ The Financial Philosopher
Bruce Diesel said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
Excellent Post. I was more of a fly on the wall but you have intrigued me to sign on. Im sure I can use what you have to offer to better my quest to find something rewarding besides jobs that pay next to nothing for seasoned workers.
For those who have found some freedom in your own ventures, I am trying like a mofo to get mine off the ground but Im not much of a Salesman. Any pointers would be sweet. Viscotroy@gmail.com
Matt said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
I only stumbled upon this site a little while ago and I have to say I’m intrigued by your new project. I’m looking forward to what you’ve got to say… I’ve found it hard finding the focus for generating the necessary alternate income streams to liberate myself.
Ron said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
I really appreciated this post. Not just because of what you’re preparing to launch, but simply because you told your story in a manner that really resonated with what I needed to hear right now.
Brandon Watkins said,
Wrote on August 21, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
Clay,
I’m with you, and looking forward to the new project. Personally, I’m intellectually ready to make the leap but I’m missing a piece somewhere and I don’t know what it is. Maybe I’ll find it in your work. Either way, it’s an inspiration to continue working for it.
Vanessa said,
Wrote on August 22, 2008 @ 1:43 am
I’ll be interested to see what you come up with. This post comes at an interesting time for me. I have been out of the “real world” and volunteering abroad for almost a year which has been an amazing escape from the 9-5. I will be back in the States soon for job hunting, which right now feels like a return to the comfort of the familiar as well as about as much fun as getting a root canal. It sounds like FYF will be a great way for me to have some of the amazing things that I have had in my life this past year.
Wendi Kelly said,
Wrote on August 22, 2008 @ 9:32 am
Clay,
Did the survey and signed up. Looking forward to reading and learning what you have to say.
I have only been blogging since March and it is interesting to see how thoughts about what I wanted to blog about and the direction that I should go does seem to grow and evolve over time. I can see how that is happening here. The more experience we have, the more we can narrow in our focus to our clear desires. Growth is good. Best of luck!
Dot H. said,
Wrote on August 22, 2008 @ 10:13 am
@Clay - Thanks for the reply. That makes sense to me. I’m looking forward to seeing the new site and finding out whether it would apply to my particular situation.
Also, it occurred to me last night after reading your tribute to your grandparents that the existence of (perhaps illegal) migrant workers had helped your grandparents survive in their business. That brings up the same issues that The Four-Hour Week brought up, namely, is it ethical to profit from the exploitation of others.
———————-
Response:
Good point about ethics. My grandparents provide FULL INSURANCE to their workers and the highest rates in the industry. And personally, I don’t hire VAs from out of the country.
Exploitation is, by definition, unethical.
–Clay
Nick said,
Wrote on August 22, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
Clay,
Thanks so much for writing this and everything you’re contributing. I feel like this post has given me a lot of strength. I’m looking to get myself out of the 9-5 thing. Superficially, I have the “perfect” job, but in all honesty I feel like it’s taking the life and creativity right out of me. I’m looking incredibly forward to seeing what Financing your Freedom will have to offer.
Anthony Teegarden said,
Wrote on August 22, 2008 @ 6:05 pm
Congratulations! I’m excited about your evolution. I can so relate because I just did the same thing and am in the midst of doing the exact same thing with my blog. The ironic thing is I’m switching from Typpad over to Wordpress and I’ll be gosh darn if I didn’t choose to use the “FRESH” theme that you’re walking away from LOL.
Ironic? Maybe not.
I like your thought process and the fact that you follow your heart.
I salute you and look forward to the value that you plan to share.
Vitor - The Fractal Forest said,
Wrote on August 22, 2008 @ 7:01 pm
Hey Clay,
I share the sentiment of this post, specially the part of not being able to afford my own time. I had been struggling to find just the right words for this feeling.
Cool to see you’re moving in a similar direction I’m going.
Vitor
Lance said,
Wrote on August 22, 2008 @ 9:54 pm
I’m here to stay. What you say resonates.
madeleine said,
Wrote on August 25, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
I stumbled across your blog a few weeks ago, and I am so glad that I did. I use it as one of several touchstones to know that I can transform my life…now I just need to up my readership.
thank you for keeping up this good work.
Dot H. said,
Wrote on August 25, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
After reading Leo’s post about his “secret,” on ZenHabits, I’m much more inclined to look forward to your new website. Not that I wasn’t already, but he reminded us that we’re figuring this out together.
resonanteye said,
Wrote on August 27, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
I like your writing. That’s why I’m here. If you stop writing about your writing I will continue to read.
No more self-referential meta-blogs about the blog, please. I like it when you just speak your mind. I don’t care what direction you take it, you have an interesting voice and it’s worth reading. But I’m not really interested in the rationale behind the work, if you catch my meaning.
Peggy Payne said,
Wrote on August 27, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
Danm, you’re good at this!
Impry said,
Wrote on August 28, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
Clay,
One of the best sites I’ve stumbled upon this year. This blog, and what it stands for, speaks almost holy truths to those who sit glued to a monitor, watching their gut grow larger, feeling their creativeness and aspirations dwindle; all for what? A paycheck? At some point I had to step back and say “OK self, you’re where you’re supposed to be (as others have told and pushed you). I don’t think I can last another month, but it will be easier knowing I have this source of information (and many others) to guide me along the path of self liberation. Took the survey and signed up. I want to thank you for all the time and energy spend creating and maintaining this blog. Every post rang loud and clear, and I hope to see the continuation of that and much more in FYF.
Lisa @Finding Balance, Naturally said,
Wrote on August 31, 2008 @ 8:05 am
I really like the idea of hacking together an income in order to create freedom, time, and more enjoyment in life.
We’re working toward this. I took my love for writing and connected it with my desire to be home with my children and created a website helping people recover from depression naturally. It’s not easy to make money doing your passion, and it’s easy to get caught up in simply “working” for your passion - no different from a job.
Clay, so far you’ve more in terms of helping me think differently about this than anyone I’ve been in contact with and I really want to thank you. I am really looking forward to this new site and will eagerly read what you have to say. I wish you all the best.
James Hall said,
Wrote on August 31, 2008 @ 10:38 am
Cool man, just do it! Sounds like the realization TGL wasn’t going anywhere must have felt dishonest. That probably rubbed your integrity the wrong way. You have lot’s of fans here (I’m one) and even though no one really seems to be doing anything serious about changing the 9-5 prison lie life (because of the money), it sure sounded like a great thing to be doing. I often wonder if that old saw “freedom is just another name for nothing left to lose” points out the problem of clinging well enough. We lose it all eventually, yep! even the neat stuff we tried so hard & long to organize so perfectly (a short visit to your local cancer ward will quickly confirm this obvious fact). The Growing Life has lot’s of seasons when nothing much grows or else it grows perfectly withered and dead. It baffles me that people just can’t see that. Our whole economic outlook is based on an arrow wafting ever upward through an ever increasingly tight dark narrow soul suffocating quarterly consciousness repeated ad nauseam (till death do it’s part). Sound like the valley of the shadow of death? Nah, but if we’re looking for perfection we came to the wrong place. Things are supposed to be fucked up here. Folks, let the fucked up light shine a little.
Nothing grows forever not even TGL.
j-
Anni said,
Wrote on September 1, 2008 @ 9:01 am
Looking forward to the new site! In my experience writing can be a catalyst for growth and change, and it sounds like you’ve done just that.
Rama said,
Wrote on September 4, 2008 @ 2:15 am
Hay,
When I was a math tutor, people would tell me (all the time) that getting good grades was importaint to them but their actions told me otherwise. My clients would go out drinking and couldn’t study the next day, cancel tutoring sessions and sleep in class. It was very frusterating and I see you lament some of the same frusterations.
This has led me to get started on my dreams. thanks.
Jenny said,
Wrote on September 4, 2008 @ 10:15 pm
Glad you are still around!
Marcus said,
Wrote on September 6, 2008 @ 8:02 am
If its not enough that you wrote a blog that gave a lot of hope and solidified a lot of floaty ideas I already had in my head, you’ve also come out and listed all the grievances I’ve had with your site better than I could have articulated them, and moved your blog in an ever increasingly positive direction. I look forward to being an avid reader of FYF. Keep up the great work.
Cody McKibben said,
Wrote on September 10, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
Wow, I’m really interested to learn what these common income streams and earning strategies are for your “freed” friends! I’ll definitely be paying close attention for the new launch. Great post, Clay.
Jagad Guru said,
Wrote on September 19, 2008 @ 7:10 am
What you say definitely matters, as the others say. I will do what I can to help you out. I hope you don’t think of closing this blog down again!
Jagad Guru said,
Wrote on October 27, 2008 @ 4:07 pm
I only stumbled upon this site a little while ago and I have to say I’m intrigued by your new project. I’m looking forward to what you’ve got to say… I’ve found it hard finding the focus for generating the necessary alternate income streams to liberate myself.