Update (July 18, 2014): This ebook has since been replaced with 6 ebooklets. The first two ebooklets contain the material covered in the original book that I bought and reviewed below. So you basically get the other 4 for free.
Does this diagram describe your path in life?
While reading this book, this diagram was the one that really hit home for me. I find that many people believe that this is what life is all about and how it should be lived. Now I have no right to tell anyone how to live, but I wholeheartedly believe that people should seriously consider the alternatives.
Every single step on this time line is questionable, in my opinion. Take “Go to a good university,” for example. I believe that going to college only prepares you to get a job. Of course there is nothing wrong with getting a job, everyone should have one at some point…to see how much it sucks!
However, I believe that to be truly fulfilled, you need to create something that is yours. Something that not only provides a living, but something that you love to do. Then there is no such thing as retirement and you are enjoying life all the time!
If you set your business up properly, you can possibly do it from anywhere in the world.
I talk about the location independent lifestyle and how it would be great to make a living from anywhere in the world by trading Forex. That is a great idea in theory, but what are the practical considerations when actually considering this type of lifestyle?
Author Lea Woodward and her husband Johnathan have lived and worked all over the world and she shares their real life experiences in this book, X Marks The Spot.
They have lived in such places as:
- Grenada
- Cape Town
- Buenos Aires
- Bocas Del Toro
- Phuket
- Panama
- And More!
This book goes over a lot of things that you would probably expect when living and working on the road. Computer equipment, essential software programs, how to pack light, how to arrange your finances, how to find the best deals on airfare and stuff like that.
In addition, she covers a lot of things that you may not have considered when living abroad. For example, getting out of the house and meeting people. Even if you are not good at the language, in order to get the full experience of living in that country, you should try to interact with people. I will also keep you from going crazy.
One good suggestion that she mentions is to take a language class to learn the language of the country. Many times these classes will have other English speakers and it can be an easy way to ease into the language, the culture and make new friends.
There is also a section in the book that talks about businesses that lend themselves well to being run anywhere in the world. She then goes into the specific skills that you will have to learn in order to become location independent.
Another point that she brings up that I never thought about, is how to get your regular mail while you are on the road. Even if you get a PO Box, there is no way for you to see what you are getting and if you forward it, there is a good chance that you many not get the mail in the country you are in. What is the solution? I think it would surprise you.
Even if you do not want to become completely location independent, but you still want to do a lot of traveling or finally break free of your office job, this book still has a lot of great pointers and practical considerations.
I would highly suggest it to anyone who wants to chose where they live and work.
Disclaimer: I do get a commission by recommending this book, but the proceeds go towards supporting my gummy bear addiction and a portion gets donated to my charity partner.
