You are not broken. Your flaws are not fatal. Your eccentricities and sensitivities don’t make you a monster; they mark you as human. And what, if not that, are you meant to be? You are here to be the highest expression of yourself. You are a thread in the weave of humanity. You have all you need to know. You don’t need any more workshops, or trainings, or external degrees. You are eminently qualified to be you. The things that scare you are ...

Hey you. Tap, tap. Yeah, you on the other side of the screen... Wake up! I mean it. Even if you think you are awake, likely you are just sleepwalking through the day. And that cup of coffee? Not going to help for this kind of wake-up. No, I am talking about waking from your get-up-work-eat-drink-sleep-repeat lifestyle. I’m surprised you even call it living. And lifestyle? Not much style there if you ask me. I have big dreams, and like me, I bet you do, too. Or at least you did at one time. So, ...

We are at a pivotal time in history. Never before has so much information, so much stuff, been available to us at all hours of the day and night. It’s like a fire hose that we can’t turn off. I see us, this human species, on the precipice of something great—or not. The choice is ours. To move beyond the constraints of selfishness, of a me-centered mindset, will take time and intention. We are at nearly 7 billion people on this planet that we call Earth and it’s not sustainable to continue ...

When I was in my twenties, I dated a man whose family traveled extensively. They lived in Saudi Arabia, the father was headmaster at an American school, and the entire family of six would travel all over the Middle East and Europe. The one good thing I remember from that train-wreck of a relationship was his family's mantra about packing before a trip: Never pack before midnight, and never pack sober. I reference that maxim often when people ask me for advice on packing light, not because I follow the ...

Everyone seems to be questing for the ever-elusive state of balance. Books and courses and gurus abound, with ways for you to do more while maintaining work-life balance. We'll I'm calling bullsh*t on balance. Balance is like perfection—an idealized state, not attainable, and one of those things that make us feel like we are never quite right or whole without it. The quest for balance is a total set-up and we suffer in our zeal to reach this illusory state. Tell me—how many times ...

As the excitement builds for World Domination Summit, or WDS for shorthand, there are a few things you need to know if you are a WDS newbie. WDS, which takes place in Portland July 6-8, 2012, is the progeny of my friend Chris Guillebeau’s fertile mind. Wildly successful last year, this is the sophomore year for WDS. This year WDS will double in size setting loose 1,000 official attendees, and likely many more who come to hang out, on downtown ...

8/24 Update: The Merry Inksters is opening again soon! After taking a summer hiatus, The Merry Inksters support and accountability group for nonfiction writers is ready to open its virtual doors on September 15, 2012. If you are a blogger, author, writer, or an entrepreneur who needs to write (but you don't necessarily call yourself a writer), this group is for you! Read more below and get on the priority notification list. Tell me: Are you a nonfiction writer struggling to stay focused? ...

The contest is over for a copy of Chris Guillebeau’s latest book, The $100 Startup. Thank you to everyone who weighed in with a comment on the business they would start today, if time, money, and fear were not in the way. I love your creativity and your desire to craft a business that is infused with your personality! I wish that I could award a book to all of you, but alas, that I cannot do (unless Chris wants to send more ...

I have been in business for myself since 2006. There have been many highs, several lows, and some crazy curves. And, while working for myself has been challenging, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I can’t imagine going back to being an employee, using my skills and talents to improve somebody else’s bottom line. One of my overarching goals with my business is to be location-independent, meaning that I am not tethered to a particular place or desk, but rather I can roam ...

I know how it is; I was there, too. You can hardly stand it. You go to work each day, living for the weekend (and happy hour), and that coveted one-dollar raise you have been waiting for that came through after your formal review no longer makes you feel gratified. The stories you tell yourself about security, prestige, and company loyalty seem so phony. That’s because they are. You are the only one who will care about your future and your now. ...