Chris Guillebeau's Blog, page 86
September 8, 2014
The Difference Between Happiness and Meaning
“The things that make you happy are not the same things that make your life seem meaningful.”
That’s how Ben puts it, and I agree.
I’ve also written about this several times before: in The Tower, for example, or in my first book.
To increase happiness, do something fun. To increase meaning, do something challenging.
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Giveaway: Hand-Drawn Typographic Food Map of Thailand… On a T-Shirt!
Every Friday is giveaway day, but today is bonus giveaway day. Comment to win!
Over six years ago, Jodi Ettenberg quit her job as a lawyer to travel for what she thought was a year. She never returned to the law, opting instead to write about travel and food on her site, Legal Nomads.
I interviewed Jodi several years ago, right before she spoke at the very first WDS. As her business and site took off, she began commissioning hand-drawn typographic maps of meals—a marriage of her obsession with...
September 7, 2014
Why You Must Study Your Mistakes, and Other Rules to Live By
Buster Benson created the fabulous 750words.com, which encourages users to cultivate a writing streak.
He also makes other side projects, including a photo of himself every day at 8:36pm that he’s taken and published for the past 2,000 days and counting.
On his website he lists a few rules to live by:
You must have good intentions.
You must not feel sorry for yourself.
You must have a vision that you are striving for.
You must study your mistakes.
You must retry things you don’t like every onc...
September 6, 2014
Before Beginning, Prepare Carefully: Notes from AA 1220
“Pub date” is shorthand for publication date—the day when a new book is out. Here are a few thoughts I starting writing on a short break from a five-week process of full-time preparations. I’m now flying to New York City … preparing for launch! On Tuesday we’ll debut the book.
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The taxi comes to my house at 6:15am. I’m on a journey… and this time I’m not jetting out to central Africa or a tiny island in the Pacific. I’m headed instead to Kennedy airport in New York, and after I’ve been the...
September 5, 2014
Ask the Readers: Planning a Trip to Japan
This series poses questions from readers. You’re invited to answer! You can also send in a question for a future post.
Today’s question comes from Jenny, who’s wondering about planning a trip to Japan:
My son Lorenzo wants to go to Japan for his 14th Birthday. I have exactly two years to save and was curious if you had any pointers one where to take him and about how much time we’ll need. I’m thinking at minimum ten days.
I don’t want to plan too much so we can just simply enjoy the trip. We are...
September 4, 2014
Life on a Little Wooden Boat
David Welsford restored an old, 28-feet boat from a scrap heap and took it around the world:
“I think I understand money in my way, which is once you figure out how to make enough, then go and do the things that make you happy.”
More about David and Lizzie Bell, his boat.
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September 3, 2014
How Valuable Were Your Last 40 Minutes?
Q: What are your tricks for time management?
“The simple answer is to attempt to avoid, at all costs, situations that waste people’s time.”
“Regarding my personal time management, I also try to live by the philosophy that focuses on: ‘What did I do that was productive and beneficial in the last 40 minutes?’ I literally sit at my desk completing a task and ask myself if I am actually being valuable. If I have not done anything constructive or useful in the last 40 minutes, I am not managing my t...
Questions to Ask When Pondering a Big Life Choice
What’s the worst thing that can happen?
What’s the best thing that can happen?
How do I feel about this choice?
What doors will close if I pursue this choice?
Why am I hesitant or indecisive over making this choice?
If I don’t make this choice, will I always regret it?
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A few other ideas:
@chrisguillebeau which choice will I be most proud of 5 years from now?
— Jason Fitzgerald (@JasonFitz1) September 3, 2014
@chrisguillebeau why is this choice difficult? What are the long-term ramifications? Whic...
September 2, 2014
6 Discoveries From Near and Far, Volume VIII
I. Around the World
Things I found on long walks in foreign cities, or perhaps when someone posted them on Twitter.
The Most Dangerous Road in the World — Naturally, it’s also a tourist attraction
Being Obsessive About Detail Is Being Normal — “Unless you are obsessed by what you’re doing, you will not be doing it well enough.”
Collapsable Hot Tub Offers Portable Spa Experience — Put this in your carry-on!
Paris through Pentax — If you’ve ever wondered why Paris retains such an allure for travel a...
Daily Life in a 180-Square-Foot Motorhome: On the Road with Mike Rigney
This is a travel hacking case study. ( Read others or nominate yourself . )
Why does someone move out of a big house and into a motorhome? What lessons do they learn, and how does their life change? Here’s Mike.
Introduce yourself!
Hello! I’m a 29-year-old mechanical engineer from Port Huron, Michigan now living in San Diego, California. For the last two years, I’ve lived in a motorhome that I parked on the streets—and recently, I moved onto a sailboat. I’m a minimalist at heart, and I value advent...
