Chris Guillebeau's Blog, page 104

Visiting the Art Museum

A while back I was emailing with Julien, and one of his questions reminded me of a story I like to tell…

“A lot of people probably relate to the idea of leaving behind their responsibilities and heading out to a new life, but they’re not in the situation where they just say “screw it” and buy the ticket/get on the plane/quit. What helps you get through that moment?”

Well, there are a lot of popular stories of people saying “screw it” and making big changes all at once, and they can be inspiring...

Do You Ever Get Lonely When You Travel?

Of course, and sometimes that’s the best part.

Last month in Hong Kong, I went to the New Territories, a part of the city I’d never visited before. It was only half an hour from bustling Kowloon, but it felt like a totally different region.

On the eve of my departure, before I’d fly to Tokyo and then to Los Angeles, I was feeling anxious.

I went for an hour-long run, my longest in a while. I set out just as the sun was setting and ran along the water, looking at the Kowloon skyline across the...

2013 Annual Review: Looking Forward!

Hi, everyone—the 2013 Annual Review continues! All posts will be open for comments from readers.

In this post: looking forward to next year.

But first! On Monday I published a roundup (not sent by email) of the first batch of posts from readers who are also doing Annual Reviews. We’ll update this one with many more links, and it’s not too late to get yours in.

And also! I’m hosting a party in Portland on Saturday night. If you’re in town or can get here, you’re more than welcome. Join the gues...

2013 Annual Review: Reader Roundup

Hi, everyone—the 2013 Annual Review continues! All posts will be open for comments from readers.

In this post: links from several of our readers who are also undertaking their own reviews. Over at World Domination HQ I’ve come down with post-review bronchitis (yikes!), but not to fear—I’ll be back on Thursday with one final post in the series.

Note: this is the first batch of trackbacks we found in the blog archives for the initial review posts.

Are you still writing yours? Don’t worry, you’r...

2013 Annual Review: Lessons in Independent Work

Hi, everyone—the 2013 Annual Review continues! All posts will be open for comments from readers.

In this post: a few thoughts on the world of work.

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On general struggles.

As mentioned in the first post on looking back, I had a few general disappointments that overshadowed much of the year.

I know I’m my worst critic, but isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? We should always be looking within, questioning our failures and seeking to improve. I have a restless heart and I’m disenchanted with s...

2013 Annual Review: Travel Roundup

Hi, everyone—the 2013 Annual Review continues! All posts will be open for comments from readers.

In this post: where I went during the past year, and a few reflections on a new style of traveling.

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For the first time since publishing AONC in 2008, this year’s travel roundup is quite different. Every other year, I’ve been to at least fifteen new countries (and many other countries I’d visited before).

This time, my list is greatly abridged. In fact, in last week’s post I said I’d been to just...

2013 Annual Review: Looking Back

Hi, everyone—the 2013 Annual Review continues! All posts will be open for comments from readers.

In this post: looking back at the highs and lows of the year.

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As explained in this year’s introduction and invitation, when the review begins I first look back at what happened over the past twelve months, making two lists of what went well and what didn’t.

Perhaps it’s a sign of 2013 that when I started writing down the list of things that went well, I completely forgot about achieving the goal...

2013 Annual Review: Introduction and Invitation

Hi, everyone—the 2013 Annual Review is here! All posts will be open for comments from readers, and I’ll share a roundup of reader reviews at the end of the process.

In this post: how it works: an overview and explanation.

“Most people who talk about goals just say, ‘you should have goals.’ They don’t tell you how to set them.” -Craig Swanson

For the past eight years, I’ve conducted an “Annual Review” every December, where I look back on the year that’s ending and set a series of goals for the...

Something New! If You Work for Yourself, Join Us On the Oregon Trail

Greetings, friends and readers!

As discussed recently, lots of big things are in the works. I’ll be heading out for my Annual Review trip soon … we’re building out the business … next year I’ll have a new book and a new tour … but first things first.

Next March, we’re hosting an all-new event focused on independent work. It’s not something that everyone will care for, but we know it will help a lot of folks.

Read on if you’d like, or help us out by sending it to someone who might be interested…

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An Invitation: If You Work for Yourself, Join Us On the Oregon Trail!

Greetings, friends and readers!

As discussed recently, lots of big things are in the works. I’ll be heading out for my Annual Review trip soon … we’re building out the business … next year I’ll have a new book and a new tour … but first things first.

Next March, we’re hosting an all-new event focused on independent work. It’s not something that everyone will care for, but we know it will help a lot of folks.

Read on if you’d like, or help us out by sending it to someone who might be interested…

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