If you have no real responsibilities and want to become “location Independent” here’s what you need to do: Sell your shit, book a flight and understand it’ll either work out or it won’t. It really is as simple as that.
My beef with the lifestyle design niche in general is that everyone is making out there’s a lot more to it then there is. Why? Because they all have a financial incentive to do so. Nearly all lifestyle design bloggers out there sell “lifestyle design” products (e-books and training programs) – if they didn’t dress it up to be difficult, they wouldn’t earn any money!
I like to think the My Egg Noodles readers are a smart bunch. The questions and the comments left here show that. Therefor, I feel I would insult you if I started to publish content that was misleading and/or over hyped.
What do you think of the lifestyle design niche?
Love the way you put it and couldn’t agree more. Lot of BS. Moving somewhere is not an accomplishment at all. And moving from country a to country b is not location independence, it’s relocating. Many of those guys seem to get stuck in the cheapest country possible unable to move around a lot. How independent is that?
I read Tim Ferris book that i think started this all. It was a great book about how to build a business in these times and leverage all the instruments of the internet. Lots of great content and practical advice. The location part was only the reward. Now it seem the “location independence” becomes the only purpose to start a venture like that. He said it all already. Now i hardly find any meaningful content the few times i see those blogs.
The few interesting character in the scene have real stories to tell and businesses they build along and don’t just talk about “lifestyle design” itself. i think thats a dead end road.
Thanks for commenting Jan!
I’m surprised how many people found the 4HWW valuable – to me it was all hype (which starts at the title of the book).
Hi Chris,
Long time no talk.
I also am surprised at how popular and influential 4HWW has become. In some ways it is sad that everyone has bought the hype and bullshit. I don’t think people want to hear less glamorous ideas of struggling to build a real business through hard work, focus and talent. Short cuts sell so that is what bloggers write about.
This is so true!
You’re right to say that opportunities and things turn up when you’ve been in a place for a while. It really is just a case of being out here and keep an eye open for opportunities, even if you start out as a teacher in Thailand, it is just the first step. There really is no science behind it.
Though I’d probably advise to keep the money for a return flight.
So true!
People have to go out and actively look for opportunities rather than wait for them. There’s never a perfect time to move away from home… people will always find an excuse to stay…
Me and the group of people huddled around my computer love it! :)
In general I agree with the deflationary approach to the difficulties of giving a new lifestyle a shot. Its only a big deal if you make it one…
Group of people? Shhhhit! You’re making me shy :)
I totally agree with you in one way but I also disagree with you in another. Yes the way it is sometimes portrayed is bullshit but the concept in itself isn’t necessarily.
The basic idea behind it is to live the lifestyle that you want, as I see it. I can’t think of any reason why that is bullshit.
Love it! “Just fucking get off your ass and do it” There is a big difference between talking about it and doing it.
Thanks for the reminder that it really isn’t that hard.
Thanks for stopping by Nick!
I agree, living the lifestyle you want is not BS. I was addressing the other issues such as the people who preach lifestyle design & those who listen… or even worse…. gulp!… people who buy lifestyle design products.
I love how you swear and not mince matters.
Even though the costs of living are so low (and we wouldn’t be here otherwise), there’s more to Southeast Asia. It’s just so much more fun – that has to do with the fact that you are rich here but there are other factors as well.
Everything in the western world is just so organized and regulated, while nobody gives a shit here.
I didn’t mean to swear that much – I was just being myself (I hope my mum won’t be mad at me lol).
LOL.
You should write an eBook on this :-P
One page: Just F****** do it.
Yours for only $47
Now there’s an idea :)
Interesting honest post!
What some people define as a “lifestyle” and a “business” are far different to what the majority of people would call the same, as I raised in your ecent Q&A post, what about taxes, liabilities, insurance and social security obligations, most people who believe they are running a business as “location Independent” are simply avoiding taxes, duties and social responsibilities whilst claiming they are legitimate business persons.
On the other side just what kind of lifestyle are people who are essentially living and working abroad illegally going to have? The vast majority of so called “online entrepreneurs” I have met are living hand to mouth 90% of the time, they see very little of the countries they stay in, other than bars and hotels, and don’t have a “lifestyle” per say, a lifestyle involves so much more than travel and eating in restaurants.
I am yet to see a “location Independent” truly “hit the big time”, as to build a business that is either profitable, attracts good investors and can be sold requires a highlevel of legitimacy, such as business and registration etc.
Interesting views Llyod!
I always like a person who knows they aren’t perfect and doesn’t feel they have travel around the world being a dogooder to make up for it. Not that there is anything wrong with doing good but a lot of Lifestyle Designers seem to be doing it out of guilt because they actually feel like they haven’t achieved all that much to me.
Thanks for commenting Dan!
Bang on Chris… You read all this lifestyle design stuff on the internet and its all the same information polished in a different way…. And one thing my dad will always say to me is son you crnt polish a turd…
could do with a chat with you at some point mate..
take care
steve
Agreed Steve!
Feel free to contact me via the contact page if you want to chat :)
Great, well, no bullshit, post. I’d disagree on the return flight bit, but otherwise right on the money.
Worth emphasising, that in most cases there’s no shortcuts, you still will have to work your ass off if you want to be successful – but nothing wrong with that – it’s pretty droll if it all just gets handed to you.
The best way to learn is by trying and buying an ebook isn’t trying.
Thanks Stuart – you are one of few people who are building a great business while living in Asia who I really respect and listen to.
And I love this: “buying an ebook isn’t trying” :)
Spot on! Also the biggest BS about lifestyle design is that you can move to another county, easily start a business working a couple hours a week, and kick it.
I know you, Dan, me, and most of the other ‘successful’ people out here work longer harder hours than we ever would back home.
SE Asia is a great springboard to get your shit together, and build your businesses, but sure isn’t lifestyle design to move from point A to point B.
“good things come to those who wait; great things come to those who get off their ass and do something about it”
I love this… “work longer harder hours than we ever would back home.”
So true.
I love the British use of ‘arse’ over ‘ass’.
Chris, generally I agree with you but being in SEA myself, I have to say that wrt teaching jobs, these are becoming more regulated. Even like in places in North Asia (like Korea). Basically this applies to any job that requires a foreigner to interact with the locals and where work visas is involved. As for relocating to SEA to work on internet-based projects on tourist visas, I suppose that would work out if one is indeed focused. It could get lonely though I suppose. I admire your discipline to spend some much time in your hotel room. It’s a pity that you do not interact with local startup scene and interest groups. Or perhaps you do? VC funding are heading towards this region.
You know, in Asia, there is a huge social stigma associated with failing in a startup idea. Moving to another country just to start a business sometimes sometimes could imply that one can’t make it in one’s country in the first place. There is also a practical side to this, I mean, if a SEAsian can’t save on personal and business expenses in SEA on a startup idea, then where can one possibly relocate oneself to?
Also, having lived in the West for close to 10 yrs, I find that the West is indeed too regulated. Entrepreneurship needs a little of the chaos and unpredictability of Asia in general. You might also have experienced how hungry the Chinese are for success and knowledge in your travels. Scary right?
On a side-note, I wonder why Malaysia tends not to be on the radar of these so-called lifestyle-designers…
Apologies for the long post.
Thanks for commenting Ben.
As for Chinese being hungry for success… I saw this everywhere and think it’s excellent news new businesses are flourishing there.
What a great post!!! Yee-haah! so agree with you.
Stop procastinating and do SOMETHING (if that’s what you want to do). I spent a few summers in Ibiza when I was a student …. I didn’t earn much (was mostly changing sheets/cleaning for high income summer lets) but it bought me the experience of another lifestyle. Went home, got a degree .. actually became well paid journalist .. and now I get to have my holidays in the places I cleaned … (literally in one case!).
But I had nothing when I went there .. came from such a different background with very working class parents.
You are only caged by your own perceptions of yourself. And no one cares about that .. they are so much more concerned about other people’s take on them!!
Bestest, Liz
Cheers Liz! A few months in Ibiza…. wow, I bet that was a lot of fun! :)
Didn’t watch the video in case it was about ‘location independence lifestyle’ stuff but I think I agree with the text in your post.
Even did a tweet about it the other day (ok so I spelt makers wrong but you get the idea): http://twitter.com/#!/affking/status/2328206052954112
Watch it :)
Nice video, I was looking forward to this. It really is so simple. For me, lifestyle design is an over-used buzz term for something that people have been doing since the beginning of civilisation. The same with the term “digital nomad” – nomads have existed forever. It’s really not rocket science.
If you want to design a different life, or change something you are not happy with, it really is as simple as getting off your arse and doing it (most of the time). Most people who are “living the dream” are likely to be too busy enjoying life and building up their income streams to talk about the hows, the whys and the methods online.
It is a very bold leap of faith to sell all your belongings, move to the other side of the world and hope for the best. I’ve met so many people (and have so many friends), who say they want to do it, but when I ask them to book a ticket and do it, there is always an excuse or a delay. These are probably the same people who will buy the e-books and the courses. Maybe it’s fear of “making the leap” that holds them back.
Anyway, I’ve lost track of what I was talking about now. Too tired after another long day at work, diving with Bull sharks and Hammerheads in South Africa on a 3 week dive safari, whilst banking cash through my profitable, location-independent, UK registered, VAT registered, legitimate, legal and tax-paying LTD business (See Lloyds comment above – Sorry Lloyd, but I know plenty of people doing well… running profitable, professional businesses from tropical beaches).
Keep up the good work ;) See you soon!
Well said Matt!
I can’t wait to see the images from your trip to Africa!
Spot on… I’m always telling people this online thing is as simple as ABC… I know of many people myself included who are earning a living from the web, all of who started with next to no idea of how to go about it… with no particular skills
By selling all my stuff & getting a ticket to a cheaper place, I ended up with the ability to be able to choose! between three lifestyles…
a)Living decently and doing no work….
b)Living decently and working a little enabling me to save some….
c)Living very well and having to work some…
In each of the above I get a better lifestyle than my previous, Work hard, Live decently, Save little, lifestyle…
Yeap!
The point I was trying to make in the video was that once someone got here, they would just find a way to survive. They could then work on web stuff if they wanted in their spare time.
Glad to hear it’s worked out for you.
Hi Chris,
Long time since I bumped into you in the specialist bar in Patpong!
While I love Thailand and everything it offers; it really does attract the worst of the west. The amount of total scumbags hanging around in SEA and especially Thailand is quite amazing.
Be VERY careful who you befriend / listen to in Thailand. 95% of the expats are living hand to mouth and are in Thailand because they have run off from problems back home.
The 5% who keep everything together, no doubt, do have a great life.
Lets face it if all these so called “location independent” exports had made it, while would they be wasting their time selling crappy ebooks etc online?
Like Chris said this whole lifestyle thing is not rocket science. However, if your life is a failure back in the west then it will probably be a greater failure in the East!
Work is hard and stressful.
Oh and not quite sure about Thailand being cheap, as everybody likes to say. Beer and cars cost more than in England!
Thanks Philip.
There’s dodgy characters everywhere, but agree, Thailand does attract more than other country in Asia. Over the years I’ve been very careful who I’ve befriended (just as I would anywhere).
If we’re talking about converting pounds in baht, your right, beers are not that cheap anymore! :)
Your right Chris dodgy characters are everywhere…. Pattaya, however, is the mega for them!!!!
I’ve never been to Pattaya before… but have heard the stories :)
While I think the video is bloody brilliant in that you get straight to the point and offer a ‘your not gonna like this but its for your own good’ motivational message, I disagree that the whole lifestyle design niche is complete BS.
While I think cookie cutter ebooks, produced by people with not much experience pushing some hyped up dream lifestyle do seem to be quite popular at the moment (my theory is that some of the “make money online” people on sites like warriorforum are trying to diversify), a lot of blogs in the lifestyle design niche are thriving due to a rising demand for inspiration and some direction in changing peoples mindset.
What I mean by that is, for the average person who has never come across the 4hww book and the community built online around it, the notion of just selling all your crap, moving abroad to cut expenses (and have some fun) and starting a business or ‘muse’ is completely alien and goes against years of programming by traditional education and parents/peers that teach us to find a career and work a typical job until retirement.
If someone has genuinely overcome that mindset, found some success (most likely abroad) and feels their life is more fulfilling because of it… why not share their stories and experiences with others through a ‘lifestyle design’ blog.
To cut my rambling short, your video has an excellent message (“just f*cking do it” is what I gleamed) but it assumes the viewer has already adjusted their mindset to view living and working abroad as a strong possibility – as in they can see that as a viable alternative to the traditional life they are living. You can’t disregard the many people out there who haven’t.
Thanks for commenting Lewis!
I’ve got no problem with people sharing there new experiences online (that’s what I do!), it’s those that package this up to be more complicated than it is for financial gain I have a problem with.
Thanks for the honesty. Just discovering your website. This is the 1st topic I’ve read. I see already that I like you. I’m definitly subscribing and will follow you on twitter. keep doing what you’re doing.
Thanks! :)