I have always had limited time to devote to my writing. At the end of 2018, I got the opportunity to start getting paid to write for other people. I also opened my own little business providing creative services which was something I always wanted to do.
Of course I couldn’t pass up the opportunity, but my own content creation routine suffered quite a bit. By suffer I mean stopped completely…
While I still really enjoy publishing for others, even though it’s all been ghost writing, I realize that I still need to be publishing for myself!
So, while I don’t intend to fill my site with rubbish I do need dust off the publish button. This post is nothing more than a restart for my own writing habit.
After all, I can always come back and clean it up later!
Here’s to those writing for fun, as well as for profit. Let’s show everyone that really busy people can do both!
Sitting in my standard issue corporate tan cubicle with absolutely no natural light, I begin to think back to the days when I used to make a living doing things I actually enjoyed. Back when my “passion” paid the bills.
It doesn’t help that my Instagram feed is filled with people that appear to be living the dream. Digital nomads living off whatever it is they are passionate about, and all while traveling the world.
It shouldn’t come as a shock that I haven’t always wanted to make a living sitting at a desk. Wasting away on one task after another until the day is over. Then sitting in traffic with all the other lost souls trying to get home. Another day over, and still feeling defeated.
My professional life wasn’t always so drab. There was a time I made a living doing things most people would envy. Things that could be considered a vacation.
Are you for SCUBA?
I originally came to Florida to be a SCUBA instructor.
After three years of living mostly outside while in the Army, and returning to a very cold winter in Colorado, I decided I was done with snow.
In true fashion, for those that know me personally, I came to the conclusion that I needed to get my life on island time and be rid of the colder weather once and for all. I have always had trouble deciding where I really want to live, so didn’t really think too much into another life-changing decision.
Jumping all into my new endeavor I moved to the FL keys and earned my SCUBA instructor certification. I would spend the next three years teaching diving and working boats in various locations. Spending time in the keys, Bahamas, and even Seattle.
I really enjoyed working on the water. Most students and customers were in good spirits as they would have been on vacation or seeking a new leisure activity.
But, one day it stopped being fun and became just another job.
It might have been the first time a paycheck bounced or had an anchor dropped on me. Gradually I lost interest in diving at all. Adding all the non-fun aspects of work began to drown out the things I enjoyed about the industry.
I think the same experiences affected my friends as well. I only know one person who remains a professional diver today. In fact, they may be the only person that still actually dives at all. That makes me a little sad.
Passion turned to dust
Each time I go out to clean my garage, I see my dusty old gear and think back to the good old days. Hanging out on boats, bumming around islands, and thoroughly embracing the boat billy lifestyle.
My days in the sun have been replaced with beige walls with no windows. Responsibilities have changed from watching over someone’s life to checking boxes and responding to emails.
Life changes, and we must learn to adapt. It could be that I needed a solid source of income once settled into a long-term relationship. Might be that I really became bored looking at the same pretty fish every day. Either way, my passion for diving died as a result of it becoming my only source of income.
Granted this is my own experience, and I’m sure there are plenty of people out there that are able to make this type of lifestyle work for them.
Just a cautionary tale for all those out there looking to make a living off the things they love.
Over the last couple years, I have been working for a company that has required quite a bit of business travel. Although I am far from a road warrior, I have some international and domestic travel experience under my belt. Most of this may be common sense to some, however there are a few things that I have learned along the way.
Heading out with the sunrise
Flights
Be careful how early you schedule your travel if your plans require you to be at a vendor site, or meet with a client the same day. You don’t want to hit the wall too early due to picking the red-eye. Sometimes it works better arriving the day before.
My rule of thumb is to fly in the morning if possible to avoid bad weather. Research the weather patterns in the area you are traveling too. Know what times of day are best to arrive/ depart. Anyone who has flown out of Denver in the summer can attest to the afternoons being very stormy and resulting in lengthy delays.
Be sure to get your frequent flyer miles. Depending on how your company manages your travel you can get rewards for the flight and the purchase. You might have to stick to one carrier to maximize this, or you can also use a credit card that gives you points for all purchases. Chris Guillebeau has a great Highbrow course on earning frequent flyer miles.
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are worth the money. Being able to skip the long lines at security and customs make life much easier.
Hotels
Pick a hotel chain and stick with it for domestic travel within the US. Some are a little fancier than others and you will get a sense of what you like, and what you don’t. I prefer the Hilton branded hotels as I have had good luck with clean rooms and good customer service. I would give the opposite advice when going overseas, just pay attention to the reviews.
Take the time to look at a map of the area so you don’t end up right next to the train tracks or a busy highway. If you have no choice, be sure to get a room that faces away from any loud areas. Also, weigh the cost of local amenities with the distance you would have to travel to your work destination each day. You don’t want to spend 45 minutes in the car stuck in traffic just because you picked a hotel next to the only Starbucks in the area.
Traveling alone vs with a group
Hopefully, if you have to travel with coworkers you enjoy their company. There isn’t much worse than being stuck next to someone you don’t like on a long flight. On the flip side, even bad company beats being the guy sitting all alone at the bar each night. I have been lucky in that I really enjoy the people I work with, and get a chance to know them better while away on business.
Be careful in what you share with your coworkers and clients while out on after-hours events or meals. While everyone tends to open up and share stories after a few drinks, you can’t take back anything embarrassing that you let out in the open. You might not want to share tales of drunken exploits with your boss, clients, or coworkers that may end up your boss one day.
Be sure to pack the right clothes for the weather you expect. Going from Florida to any place that actually gets cold is a challenge considering none of us own a winter coat. Also, pick outfits that are one step more professional than you think you need and that fit well. Being underdressed or uncomfortable will affect your self-confidence and that is the last thing you need while out of your normal element and meeting a big client for the first time.
While you can pick up most things, such as a toothbrush, just about anywhere it is a little more difficult for medications. Be sure to check to make sure you have enough to get you through the trip and keep them in your carry on bag to ensure they don’t get lost. Should you really need a refill, you can have a prescription transferred to a local pharmacy. This can take a little while but will work in a pinch.
Be sure to check out the local food and cool things to do in the area you are going to visit. Depending on the reason for your trip you may end up with some downtime over a weekend that will allow you to really explore. Traveling for business can be fun and exciting, or be really awful. Most of this will be in your control, so go forth and make sure you have an awesome trip!
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