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Why this book might just change your life

Posted on 2017-03-14 at 8:14 pm.

I can hardly believe it’s nearly time to release Freedom Seeker into the world. I cannot wait to share her with you. I have made a series of ‘Inside the book’ videos and wanted to share the first with you today:

If you think Freedom Seeker is for you, please pre-order it so you can access our free bonus alongside the book (a brand new online course called ‘How to be happy (+ calm, focused + organized) which will run for four weeks from May.

In it I’ll be sharing:

Insight into how I organize my super busy life to get so much done, including writing a book in six months whilst running a business and raising two children
How to stay calm when everything around you is going crazy (most of the time, right?)
How to organise your email (including the one action that literally changed my life)
My specific strategies for getting stuff done Downloadable done-for-you templates for creating the most effective to-do lists around, and a host of other downloadable goodies to help you get on top of everything
Loads of life hacks, including tips for decluttering, handy apps, my favourite stationery and more

Plus you get access to a private Freedom Seeker Facebook group where I’ll be offering direct support as well as regular Facebook Live sessions.

If you think you’re likely to buy the book you might as well get this lovely bonus for free! Get yours here.

Fly free my friend, fly free…

Beth

How I’m turning my hobby into a lifestyle (and you can too!)

Posted on 2017-03-14 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” — Howard Thurman

Today we share Rebecca Temsen’s story. Rebecca is a writer, entrepreneur, wife and a mother of two who is passionate about helping people to reach their potential and not just settle for the norm. Here she explains how her hobby has become a way of life.

There is no telling how much you’ll grow or how strong your energy will become once you are truly dedicated to a personal ‘cause’ or ‘purpose’. This ‘cause’ or ‘purpose’ is also called happiness and it is well worth chasing.

This is my story in pursuit of happiness…

(more…)

How I stopped “living for the weekend” and started doing what I love for a living

Posted on 2017-03-10 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today we share an insightful post from digital nomad Mike McLeish. A keen cycler Mike has found his true calling in life as a bicycle blogger, Pinch-Flat

The original name for this site was “Mike The Bike” but I had to change it after people were getting the wrong impression.

So with that, Pinch-Flat was born.

and he is currently taking full advantage of the of the warm weather in SE Asia. You can find him cycling through traffic in Kuala Lumpur, attempting to drink coffee from a plastic bag, or eating Nasi Lemak at a local corner shop.

“I have enjoyed every second of my journey, but to get to where I am now has been harder than I ever imagined it would be,” he says.“If you have more motivation than ability (like me!) and are looking for inspiration on how to take action, then read on…!”

Smug laptop hammock shot taken especially for this post. If I’m honest hammocks are uncomfortable, and I’m way too pale to be out in the sun!

Why did I decide to make a change?

To quickly summarize a cliched story – I had a job with potential, but I knew I’d never be happy working for someone else’s company and living someone else’s dream all my life.

It’s not that I disliked my job. It’s just that I got to the point where I found myself dramatically asking “is this it?” on more than just a Monday, and I found myself complaining about the little things more than enjoying the good things.

I first came across the term digital nomad on a typically hungover Sunday while feeling sorry for myself.

Live anywhere while working from your laptop.

I’d be lying if I didn’t immediately have a Dan Bilzerian style daydream as I lay weakly on my sofa in rainy Southern England.

A big dream was of being a “location independent entrepreneur.” was born. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted it. So I began to plan.

My plan of attack

With my idea set, I visualised the steps need to get there and listed them out. All I needed to do was:

Save some money
Tell friends and family
Quit my job
Buy a plane ticket
Learn a skill
Sell my skill

The first step to reach my goal was to save some money…

How much money I needed to achieve my goal

Before I left, I was living with my mum and working as a returns administer. Not quite a rock star lifestyle but living at home meant I had very few outgoings.

I never bought anything I didn’t need, and I cycled 10 miles to and from work each day. This lifestyle was super boring, but I didn’t care, I was on a mission!

My frugal ways enabled me to save £5000 ($6200) in eight months.

With the money in the back pocket, I moved onto the next step. Telling my friends and family.

How people around me reacted to my decision

Not surprisingly my plans were met much like people’s opinion to marmite.

Reactions varied from being slapped on the back and bought a drink, to people seriously questioning my sanity.

While I think it’s important to listen to what people say, it’s also important to stay true to your original reasonings for wanting to do something like this in the first place.

Be honest with yourself and be very careful who’s advice you take. Sometimes people with the best intentions will negatively impact your decisions. Ultimately the choice is yours, and only you know what’s best for you.

The double-edged sword that is my immense stubbornness enabled me to stick to the plan. With telling friends and family out the way, the next step was the big one for me. Quitting my job.

How I felt when quitting my job

I’d recently finished a degree in public health, and the job I had was one the first that I could find. I started out stacking boxes on the factory floor and then moved into the offices. I was a returns administer but I was being considered for higher paying roles.

I felt I had an opportunity to climb the corporate ranks and quitting was like slamming this door shut for good. It was a big deal for me at the time and one that caused me question myself.

In reality, I’d only just started out, so I had nothing to lose.

After realising this, I was able to stop being a wimp and hand in my notice. I still remember the shocked look on my manager’s face and choking up when handing it over.

If I’d been further along in my career this step would have definitely been harder. I have great admiration for anyone who decides to do something like this who is further along their career path.

At the time I was on a temporary contract which meant I only had to give two weeks’ notice.

Handing in my resignation made it official that I was leaving. Up until that point, it didn’t feel like I was going anywhere, so there was no real sense of urgency to plan anything.

Getting everything ready to leave

Not planning anything meant that the two weeks after handing my notice in were rushed. It fact, they resembled someone who had overslept their alarm and was already 30 minutes late for work.

In those two weeks, I did everything from booking my flight, renewing my passport, and buying sun cream. It was all a bit of a blur, but I think that was good for me, as I didn’t have time to question my decision.

How I eased the transition

Something I did that helped to ease me in to my new life in SE Asia was volunteering for two months at a community bicycle project in Kuala Lumpur. I did this through WorkAway, which I’d used numerous times before in Europe.

Bike Shop, Kuala Lumpur

Using WorkAway felt familiar and it was a good way to let anyone who was finding it difficult to understand my plans that I was doing something useful and meaningful with my time. Spending a few months volunteering and then coming home to a proper job is a slightly easier pill to swallow for many.

As well as working in the bike shop I helped to launch it’s brand new cafe – Makan at The Basikal

Me (back) with staff at The Basikal

Whilst I was here, I learned basic web design and started to build a site for my bicycle project, Pinch Flat.

New skills I picked up and how I learned them

Once I’d successfully broken free of my old life and completed two months’ volunteering it was time to learn some more.

There are many remote working jobs out there, and I enjoy Search Engine Optimisation [SEO]. Luckily there are sites out there that give excellent advice on where to start. Some, like Niche Pursuits, have huge free case studies that you can follow. Using them, together with a few other resources gave me all the knowledge I needed to get going.

The skills I learned enabled me to get a job which involves Youtube SEO for an infographic company. Working for around one-and-half hours a day earns me enough to support my modest life.

My goal right now is to expand my cycling blog so that it can support me financially. I hope to do this through articles like this for affiliate earnings and this for Google Adsense earnings. Once I’ve done this, I’d love to move into developing products, but this is a little way off yet.

The biggest challenges that I faced while learning

After I’d finished volunteering and looking for places to stay in Kuala Lumpur, I checked into a Sleeping Pod hostel. I had a bizarre case of self-doubt and decided to spend almost 24hrs in my pod eating peanut butter from the jar….

Luckily for my sanity (and waistline) I snapped out of this mindset and was able to carry on.

I’ve found that while learning, I’ve had feelings of elation combined with feelings of utter despair – often in the same day! The biggest challenge for me is what goes on in my head!

The truth is that I’ve worked more recently than I ever have. For the first two months after leaving the voluntary project, I worked at a co-working space from 9am-10pm seven days a week. I lived in a $3 a night, 10-bed dorm room with a fan to keep cool. I only really spoke to other guests when they asked me to turn off the light, and I was woken most nights by either mosquitos or bed bug bites on my hands.

It would have been much easier to check into a nice hotel, but I was conscious that I was living on my savings, and they wouldn’t last forever. I was tired, dirty, and loving every second! I knew it wouldn’t be for long and living in a hostel motivated me to work hard so I could get out of there!

What a typical day in my life looks like

Five months down the line things are easier; I’ve left hostel life behind and I now rent my own room.

If I wanted to, I could live on the money I earn from freelancing and work around one-and-a-half hours per day, but I want more than this, so I put lots of time into my own projects.

I’m currently living on an island called Langkawi in Malaysia. I’ll be finished with this post at around 2pm, and I think that’ll be enough for today.

I’m going to walk 10 minutes to the beach and spend the rest of the day playing football with some other remote workers I’ve met.

My life is unrecognisable to what it was just half a year a go. This is the first time I’ve really reflected on what I’ve done and I’m so happy I made this change.

Ultimately, my dream is to grow Pinch Flat so I can continue to offer my readers the best news, tips, and travel recommendations for bicycle-related business.

Advice to others

Sensible advice to others considering this way of life is to: learn a skill that you could do remotely while you’re at home; get some online clients; and save enough money to live comfortably while you make the transition into the life of work and travel.

Of course I did absolutely none of that rubbish and went in all guns blazing like a scene from Die Hard.

Doing it the way I did meant I was fully committed and my motivation was sky high. The only other piece of advice I’d give is to make sure you find a place where you can work effectively, be persistent, and believe in yourself.

***

For more information about Mike visit his website.

Great Escape: What’s Going On?

Posted on 2017-03-03 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

2017 is in full swing, and spring is the perfect time to think about what you want from the year ahead. Whether it’s learning a new skill, developing yourself personally or professionally, tapping into your creativity, hiring a coach, or taking a break to rest and recharge, making time to nurture yourself and your dreams every once in a while is vital for your health and wellbeing.

Here’s our pick of the best upcoming festivals, events and talks to help you on the path to doing what you love.

Image courtesy of Freedom Summit

Freedom Summit

Where: Worldwide access and all time-zones

When: April 1 – 2, 2017

Cost: Free

Organiser: Freedom Summit

Jumpstart your journey to freedom with the first online virtual gathering for location independent entrepreneurs. The Freedom Summit is a weekend-long event where inspiring change makers, trailblazers, and leaders teach new and emerging formulas on how to travel, work, and live a fulfilling life from anywhere in the world. If you want to learn from the best of the best and pick up practical tips, tools and strategies to help you live a life you love, this one is for you.

For more information visit: https://www.freedomsummit.online

Alternative Careers Festival

Where: Off Quay, London, UK

When: April 13, 2017, from 1pm

Cost: Early bird tickets now on sale and include exclusive perks

Organiser: Escape the city

This is no ordinary job fair… it’s an event for anyone who is: curious about where the world of work is headed; committed to doing work that matters; looking for a new role; feels ready for change and needs inspiration; or knows what they want to do but needs help with the process. If this sounds like you, come along and connect with innovative brands of all sizes, learn from industry experts, get real advice from people who have been there and done it, and who knows, you may even get hired! This is your chance to escape the pigeonhole and embrace your next opportunity because life is too short to do work that doesn’t matter.

For more information visit: https://www.escapethecity.org/alternative-career-festival/

Image courtesy of Zhena Muzyka

Visionary Women Conference

Where: The Narrative Loft, Santa Barbara, USA

When: April 29, 2017 from 10am-5pm

Cost: $297.00 and includes light breakfast and Mediterranean lunch

Organiser: Zhena Muzyka

Make a playdate with your destiny and learn from some of the world’s most successful online and offline entrepreneurs, female CEOs, and global coaches in this joy-filled, information-infused gathering. It’s guaranteed fun with inspiring 20-minute talks, mingling sessions, breakout workshops, and laser coaching sessions. You will:

* Learn the laws of reinvention and how to make big moves that win

* Find out how to use “setback management” to recover and rock, quickly

* Meet the makers of your favourite products and programs

* Discover fresh ways to build your career and feed your soul

* Be wowed by dynamic motivational speakers

* Discover what’s preventing you from finding pure joy

* Learn the power of personal branding

* Unveil your life’s purpose and uncover ways to fulfill it

* Tap into your intuition and make the best business and life moves possible while increasing revenues for yourself and your company.

* Sip wine at the after-gathering wine crawl, get to know your fellow she-roes and leave inspired and enlivened.

For more information visit: https://www.zhena.tv/visionary/

Image courtesy of Camp Grounded

Camp Grounded: Summer Camp for Adults

Where: Mendocino, California, USA

When: May 19 – 22, 2017

Cost: $695 – $1,390

Organiser: Digital Detox

Want to unplug, get away, and feel free again? Then trade in your computer, iphone, email, digital camera, and watch and ditch the schedules, work-jargon, networking events and conferences for four days of pure, unadulterated off-the-grid fun. Summer camp is all about trying new things, giving yourself the opportunity to pick up an old hobby, and creating new memories with a community of people who value individuality, self-expression, and friendship over status updates, job titles, bitcoins and “busyness” models. The programme of events is extensive and varied so you choose exactly what you do, or don’t, want to do. From LEGO building, comic book drawing and creative writing to screen printing, stilt walking and singing there’s something for everyone. You’ll leave knowing that anything is possible when you give yourself chance to let go.

For more information visit: https://campgrounded.org

Image courtesy of Mind Body Spirit Festival, Australia

Mind Body Spirit Festival

Where: International Convention Centre, Sydney, Australia

When: May 25 – 28, 2017

Cost: Free

Organiser: Exhibition and Events Australia Pty Ltd

Held biannually, the Sydney Mind Body Spirit Festival brings you the very best in health, wellness and spiritual guidance. You can learn from over 200 exhibitors, attend inspirational seminars, book yourself a psychic reading, try some body pampering, watch inspirational stage performances, join a free meditation session and enjoy some delicious healthy foods at the Soul Kitchen. Gift yourself some ‘me-time’ this May and come along.

For more information visit: https://www.mbsfestival.com.au

Image courtesy of Chris Guillebeau

World Domination Summit

Where: Portland, Oregon, USA

When: July 11 – 17, 2017

Cost: $647

Organiser: Chris Guillebeau

If you’d love to know how to live a remarkable life in a conventional world, you won’t want to miss this. Since 2011, World Domination Summit has brought together more than 10,000 people from more than 40 countries. As adventurers from all walks of life, their mission is to create a remarkable community that helps each person pursue a big dream. There will be discussions and activities on topics like how to live a good life, travel hack your way around the globe, and write your first book, making it an experience like no other. Jam-packed with eye-opening events and unforgettable keynote speakers, you’ll learn from unconventional thinkers, acquire powerful new skills, and go away with a whole new community of friends and supporters.

For more information visit: https://worlddominationsummit.com

Image courtesy of Andres Roberts

The Way of Nature Programme

Where: Lake District, UK

When: June 27 – July 2, 2017

Cost: £645 including guiding and food

Organiser: Andres Roberts

This is your chance to step back from life and reconnect with yourself and the world around you in a very special way. The Way of Nature Programme takes you on a fantastic journey into inner and outer wildness through ancient wisdom practices and a 36-hour solo in the wild. You’ll hike, swim, camp, make fire, rest, recharge, eat good food and be inspired by the wonders of nature. The programme has been created to help you relax, be present, and cultivate energy and after the event there will be extra support through one-to-one and group calls to help you integrate your new-found knowledge, tools and techniques into your everyday life.

For more information visit: https://wayofnature.co.uk/retreats/

Image credit: Jake White (base), Chetana Thornton (flyer), by Elad Itzkin

Yoga Connects Festival

Where: Glastonbury, UK

When: July 7 – 9, 2017

Cost: Gold tickets £240, Silver tickets £180, Kids under 12 Free, Teens aged 13-19 £100, a camping charge of £15 per person per night is an additional cost

Organiser: Yoga Connects Festival

Taking place at the heart centre of the world, this two-day festival is all about honouring the sacred connections that yoga gives us not only to our bodies and minds but also to music, nature, children, meditation, Shamanism, ceremony and each other. There are daily yoga classes from some of the world’s most sought after teachers and whether you’re a seasoned yogi or don’t know your Asana from your Savasana, it’s a great opportunity to lose your inhibitions, have fun and replenish your energy levels. There’ll also be chance to enjoy some conscious shopping and delicious vegetarian and vegan cuisine and get your groove on to music by musicians and DJs from around the globe.

For more information visit: https://yogaconnects.co.uk/

Images courtesy of Base Camp Festival gallery ’15

Base Camp Festival

Where: Peak District, UK

When: September 7 – 10, 2017

Cost: Early Bird £112.50

Organiser: Explorers Connect

Base Camp is the world’s first adventure festival for adults and it has been named as one of the “best non-music festivals” by the UK festival awards. It’s a one of a kind event which offers a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded people, embrace the great outdoors and be part of an adventure community. By day you can experience cool adventure activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, climbing, and bushcraft and by the light of the stars you can mingle with explorers, listen to tales of adventures and party in the woods to live music and entertainment. Tickets always sell out several weeks in advance so don’t wait to get yours!

For more information visit: https://www.basecampfestival.co.uk

Image courtesy of DNX Facebook page

The Digital Nomad Conference (DNX)

Where: Lisbon, Portugal

When: September 9 – 10, 2017

Cost: Varies from €197-€997 depending on package

Organiser: Marcus Meurer & Felicia Hargarten

This is the ultimate event for online working digital entrepreneurs from all over the world. Join 500 motivated, like-minds for a four-day programme packed full of workshops, advice, inspiring talks from keynote speakers, and epic parties. You’ll do lots of networking and leave with increased business know-how and actionable takeaways. If you want to learn more about “location independent working”, connect with others and take your business to the next level, then this is the place for you!

For more information visit: https://www.dnxglobal.com

Disclaimer: We are not affiliates of or involved in the running of any of the suggested events. Please contact the organisers directly with any questions or queries.

How to make your BIG writing dream a reality

Posted on 2017-02-28 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Do you dream of being a writer? Well, now’s the time to turn that dream into reality.

To help get you started, our expert columnist and leading expert in digital distraction and digital detox, Frances Booth shares an extract from her inspirational new book A Writer for All Seasons: Beat Blocks, Face Your Fears and Keep Writing

Turn up

The most important rule is to turn up.

Turning up means turning up to write when you’re:

Tired
Really tired
Uninspired
Inspired
Sad
Bored
Anxious
Happy
Scared
Depressed
Excited
Motivated
Not motivated
Lost
Unsure
Sure
Full of energy
Have no energy
Too busy
In the mood to write
Not in the mood to write

Some days you’ll feel like writing; other days you won’t.

You need to turn up through all of it.

On the days that you feel great, well, that’s great. Write for as long as you can and enjoy it.

But what about all the other days?

If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll waste most of your time waiting. Instead, you need to write when the conditions are not perfect (most of the time) as well as when the mood strikes you.

Turn up anyway. Cast your net. See if you can catch a few words.

You need to be able to turn up whatever, because the only certainty is that, during your time as a writer, things will change.

Your mood will change. Conditions will change. The weather will change. How much time you have for writing will change. How you feel will change. What your writing needs today will change.

Some days there’ll be the unrelenting glare of the sun. On other days there’ll be wispy clouds and life will seem easy.

You’ll need to keep writing through all of it.

Don’t wait for inspiration or the right mood before you turn up. Do it the other way round. Turn up and start writing, and words and ideas will arrive.

When you feel tired, for example, turn up, but alter your expectations. Give yourself some leeway. Do the easy bit. Be kind.

What will you find?

You might dig all day and find nothing. But when you come back the next day, you realise that you’ve prepared the ground for ideas to grow.

Another day, you might write, uninspired, for an hour. Then … 63 minutes in … there it is … the glint of something promising.

Scatter words. Plant ideas. Give it time.

Cross the start line

What if we thought of writing in a different way?

What if we thought about writing a book like we think about running a half marathon?

They’re both huge challenges. They take training, practice, stamina and time to achieve. In each case, you have to deal with psychological barriers, and they’re daunting prospects.

But our attitude and approach to them – in general – couldn’t be more different.

I fancy running a half marathon. I think I’ll give it a go. I’m not an elite runner, but it’ll be a good challenge. It might even be fun. I’ll have to train, but I’m prepared to put in the hours. I’m under no illusion that it will be easy. It will be great to say I’ve done it.

I’d love to write a book. Maybe one day. I couldn’t, though … not right now.

There’ll be crowds along the route – they’ll cheer me on – even the people who don’t know me. They’ll help me cross the finish line. The atmosphere will be great. I’ll tell everyone I know and raise money for charity.

I won’t tell anyone. They’ll laugh. They’ll think I’m ridiculous for trying this. Who do I think I am? I’d love to write a book, but … I can’t give up my job. I’ll wait for retirement. I haven’t got time anyway.

Wait for retirement? Are you kidding me? I’m fit and healthy now. I’ll dig out my trainers. I’ll run before work on Monday. I’ll run at lunchtime on Tuesday. We get an early finish every other Friday and I’ll run then. I’ll run one day at the weekend. I’ll be tired, but it’s only for four months. I know I won’t regret it. I’ll set myself a time target. I’m going to go for it …

Who am I kidding that I could write a bestseller? The critics are really cruel – they’d tear me apart. I couldn’t take it. What if it was no good? I’ve just taken on that new project at work, anyway. I think I’ll leave it for now. I enjoy reading. I’ll just read.

One day …

Win? Are you joking? Don’t you know that everyone gets a medal?

I suppose I could do it for the challenge. I guess if I practise I’ll get better. Maybe I could write on a Wednesday evening. I could do this Saturday morning. Maybe I will write a book …

Write. Jog. Build up the miles.

Go at your own pace. Do it for the challenge. Cross the starting line.

Make it fun

We get it as kids – the wonder of being able – suddenly! – to craft letters, tell a story, write a message in a magical script.

We can’t understand why everyone isn’t running around with crayons writing their names again and again.

We fill piece of paper after piece of paper with our marks.

Then our marks get marked. Our writing gets judged. And that wild adventure ends all too soon.

Writing is meant to be fun. But it’s easy to forget that.

You can tell when you’re taking writing too seriously. It gets heavy. You start being hard on yourself, demanding more while giving your writer less. Far from it being fun, you have no sense of humour left at all.

Sometimes all it takes to get back on track with your writing is to recapture the fun.

A test of fun

What if, instead of a test of whether your writing was good enough (or whether it was a bestseller, or what the critics said), writing was a test of fun?

Do you play with words?

Do you enjoy writing?

Does it feel like an adventure?

Often, the point at which you need to make it fun again is exactly when you feel too pressured to do so. You’re simply too busy or overwhelmed to do something “silly” or “childish” or “frivolous”. But if you get used to weaving fun in to your writing all the time, when you need it, it will be there.

Try these tips:

20 ways to keep writing fun

Don’t rush it; don’t push it.
Write a story with someone else. You write the first bit, then pass it to them. They write the next bit, and pass it back. No discussing it!
What are you tired of writing about? Sticking with writing what you know is safe, but once your enthusiasm for it has gone, it will take more and more effort, and it will drain you. Let yourself write about something different (even though that’s scary).
Start with an ending.
Pass on a message in an unusual form.
Scribble. Doodle.
Test how excited you are about your writing project. Talk about it to someone supportive. Can you hear the excitement in your voice? Can they? If not, what are you really excited about writing? This method is useful if you’ve got so many ideas you don’t know which to choose.
Write something in the middle of the night.
Write nonsense. Robert Louis Stevenson carried what he called his “Book of Original Nonsense” to make notes in. You don’t have to be serious to be successful.
Go to a new place.
Write on an old typewriter.
Go for a walk and look for words on signs, pieces of paper or shop fronts. What are these messages signalling to you?
Do something you enjoyed as a child that you never do any more – for example, trampolining or singing.
Use playfulness in an ordinary piece of writing. For example: in an email, note or list. In a letter Charles Dickens wrote in 1863 to the clockmaker, Sir John Bennett, about a broken clock, he writes that since the clock was cleaned it has gone “perfectly well, but has struck the hours with great reluctance, and after enduring internal agonies of a most distressing nature it has now ceased striking altogether”. Every piece of writing – however mundane – holds an opportunity to play with words.
Borrow a writing style. For example: a train announcement, diary entries, a shopping list.
Don’t think about how little you can get away with giving your writer, think about how much you can do to support them.
Make up a word.
Learn how to write your name in hieroglyphics.
Start an inspiration box. Write down things you’d like to do, cut sections out from magazines, pick up flyers for events. Put them in your inspiration box. Include anything that you’re curious about or want to try. When you’re in need of inspiration, choose something from your box.
Imagine you owned an ideas bank that you make ideas withdrawals from and deposit fun in to. Do you need to add more fun before you withdraw more ideas?

***

This is an edited extract from A Writer for All Seasons: Beat Blocks, Face Your Fears and Keep Writing by Frances Booth.

For more motivational advice on writing, A Writer for All Seasons is widely available online including at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.

Be your own soul friend today

Posted on 2017-02-14 at 2:19 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

Last summer I went to Santa Fe to take a workshop with the very magical Gail Larsen. At the end of it, she invited us to write love letters to each of the people we had shared the workshop with, and to prompt us she played a song which captured the essence of that person. It was a beautiful exercise. When it came to my turn, instead of playing a song, she played a spoken word piece by John O’Donohue, reading aloud a passage from his breathtaking book Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom.

The coincidence didn’t escape me. Just a few weeks before I had discovered the same book by chance when researching my own book Freedom Seeker. In Anam Cara I found a paragraph that was almost word-for-word the same as something Mr K had written in an early love letter many years before, although he had never even heard of Anam Cara. It made my spine tingle.

In Celtic wisdom ‘anam cara’ means ‘soul friend’. It reflects the idea that our souls need love like our bodies need air, and this love can awaken new dimensions of ourselves. According to John O’Donohue in his beautiful book of the same name, an anam cara recognizes the real you without any pretence or disguise. Theirs is a deep spiritual friendship unaffected by geographical distance or time. Your anam cara understands you in a way that makes you feel you belong together, with your destinies intertwined. If you have an anam cara, take good care of that person, as they are precious indeed.

And whether or not you have an anam cara right now, I invite you to be your own. You have to practice self-love on an epic scale to feel truly free. You have to counter the negative voices in your head and hold your own hand through it all. In the end your free self is your greatest ally and truest friend, so treat them well.

This week I challenge you to do something kind for yourself, and be your own anam cara.

Much love

Beth

I wrote a book for you. And it’s about to be published. Can I tell you about it?

Posted on 2017-02-13 at 7:52 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

I have never been as nervous about writing a post for you as I am today. Why? Because after seven years of helping creative people like you share their souls with the world, it’s now my turn.

I wrote a book, and it’s ready.

It’s called ‘Freedom Seeker: Live more. Worry less. Do what you love.’

And it might just change your life.

How do I know? Because it has completely changed mine.

You see, it’s not just any book. It’s a book about one of the most important quests we can ever undertake – the quest to feel free.

The only way I could write this book was to live it – to recognize that somewhere along the line I had gone wrong, and I had built a life that was actually trapping me.

That’s kind of hard to admit when your company is called ‘Do What You Love’, but like so many of us I got lost in the everyday busy-ness, the overwhelming workload, the many competing demands for my time and attention, and I completely lost any sense of who I really was.

I had to find a way to escape the cage I had built, and learn how to fly again. In doing so I realised that feeling free is the Holy Grail.

Freedom Seeker is an invitation to seek freedom in every corner of your life.

It’s about living more, worrying less and finding a way to do what you love every day.

It sounds simple, and in some ways it is, but when you are trapped in a cage with broken wings, freedom can seem like a far away deeply buried treasure. I know, because I’ve been there.

My personal story isn’t a dramatic one of hitting rock bottom. That’s not how it happened. Mine is one of a slow ebbing of joy from my days, of stemming that flow and finding myself again, the present-day version of me, in love with the life I’ve got.

In Freedom Seeker I also share the stories of people whose cage doors have been slammed in their faces, the darkness pushing them right to the edge, before they had no choice but escape. Theirs are high- velocity, adrenalin-pumping truths about how freedom seeking saved their lives.

Deep down we all know that freedom is a choice and a human right. Yet millions of us don’t feel that truth. We feel trapped by our circumstances, relationships, social pressures, financial status and education. Caged by our expectations of ourselves, and others’ expectations of us, and by our beliefs, doubts and fears.

We allow ourselves to be held back from living our fullest lives. Individually it is heartbreaking. Collectively it is a colossal waste of potential. Together we are going to change this. In finding the courage and confidence to escape our cages and shine, we will help others do the same.

It is with equal measures of trepidation and pleasure that I can say those words you never really think you’ll hear yourself say:
“My book, Freedom Seeker, is available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones and from all good bookstores!”

I have lived every page of this book. In the writing of it I have danced and tumbled, laughed and crumbled, cried, shrunk, grown, travelled thousands of miles, talked to strangers, looked deep inside myself and rediscovered my own stories. I have centred myself and fallen apart, many times over.

I have screamed at the noise and revelled in the silence. I have followed the sun, howled at the moon, and sent thanks to the stars. I have talked to hundreds of women and a good number of men who have shared stories I will never forget.

I hope I have gathered the best of it all, the most powerful lessons and inspiring tales to show that if I can do it, and they can do it, then you too can do it.

The writing of this book has made me feel more deeply connected, vital and alive than I have in years.

I hope in reading it, and in the living of it, you too find a way to inhale the magic and mystery and beauty of your own life, and finally feel truly free.
Please, buy Freedom Seeker and read it, because if it does for you what it has done for me, it will be the one of the best investments you ever make.

And if you have a friend who is feeling trapped, stuck, lost in the greyness, get a copy for them. It would be a precious gift indeed.

Let’s set out on this journey together…

With gratitude and much love

Beth

PS You can get some lovely bonuses if you pre-order Freedom Seeker before February 23. You can find out more here and claim yours right away. (And if you have already pre-ordered your copy, thank you! You can claim your bonuses by filling in the quick form here)

PPS Over the coming months I will be creating a host of opportunities for us to talk about freedom seeking, and share the journey – with Facebook Lives, events, features, podcasts and all sorts. But the first step is to read the book, then to apply the tools in your own life, and see how much more free you feel right away.

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Dream board your way to a life you love

Posted on 2017-02-02 at 9:56 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

This post is written by Louise Gale, a member of the Do What You Love Team and British mixed media artist who spends her days creating, running creative workshops and assisting other creative souls with their businesses.

You have probably heard the term dream board (or vision board or vision map) many times before as it’s a wonderful tool for manifesting your desires.

A dream board is basically a board — of any size — onto which you collage pictures, words and other items that inspire you. The idea is to help you clarify and maintain focus on a specific life goal by creating a picture — a vision — of what you want to attract into your life. It could be a place you’d like to visit or live, changes you’d like to make to your relationship, work environment, home life or career, or on a mental, physical or emotional level, how you’d like to think, act and feel.

Why are dream boards important?

A dream board serves as your image of the future — a tangible example, idea or representation of where you are going, your dreams, goals, and vision for your ideal life. In today’s modern world we spend so much time rushing around, being distracted by technology and generally looking to the outside world rather than into ourselves, that it’s easy to forget who we are and where we are going. Creating a dream board is a great way to reconnect with your true, authentic self and get clear on what you really want from life.

This was the dream board I created for 2016. Images have a greater impact on the subconscious mind than words but words trigger a more emotional response so I use a combination of both.

Do dream boards really work?

Absolutely! I have harnessed the power of these beauties many times over. In fact, they have helped me:

– to leave my job and reconnect with a creative life I desperately craved (201o)

– to manifest a move to a home with studio space (2011)

– to start living a simpler life (2012)

– to overhaul my life completely and move to Spain (2013)

– to focus more on how I want to feel in my life, to slow the pace and to find the money to make a trip to Morocco (2014)

– to reconnect with nature, spend more time creating and enjoy my life by the sea (2015)

– to nurture my mind, body and soul (2016)

Now my boards are all about how I want to feel and the life I want to lead rather than specific goals I want to achieve.

The great thing about dream boards is that each one is unique and special to you. Our lives are constantly evolving, and so are our goals and dreams so creating new boards on a regular basis is a fantastic way to keep focused on what you really want. I keep all my boards close by as there are still things manifesting on some of them.

A Full Moon dream board to help you harness the power of NOW!

Many people create a dream board at the start of a new year, or when they are focusing on a specific event or life goal (such as getting married, moving home, or changing careers) and this is a great way to plant seeds of intention for what you wish to manifest. In addition to a yearly board, I also like to create ‘Full Moon Mandala Dream boards’, which are circular collages that draw on the power of the Full Moon each month to help me dream bigger, be more creative, and attract new people, experiences and opportunities into my life. They are a lot of fun to make too!

Every phase of the Moon creates a certain energy which affects us, and everything on Earth. Like the Moon, we too move through phases and by creating a Full Moon Mandala between the New and Full Moon, we are using its power to gather, grow, learn and get focussed for the weeks ahead.

The New Moon (28 January ’17) is a time to begin new things and be spontaneous, optimistic, and hopeful. It’s the perfect time to start gathering inspirational images and words to create your board.

Waxing Moon – (right now!) is the time during which the moon goes from new to full and it’s about building, accomplishments, creativity, strength, growth and learning, and positive transformation. It’s the ideal time to create your own Full Moon dream board.

The Full Moon (10 February ’17) is a time for fruition and fulfilment so it’s a great time to unveil your board and put it up where you can see it often.

Here’s how to do it…

My full moon mandala dream board

Materials you will need…

Thick card or a poster board of any size
A variety of magazines (you never know where inspiration will strike!)
A photograph of yourself (smiling/looking happy)
Glue – I use acrylic medium or modge podge (I use these in my mixed media creations and I find they don’t ripple the pages like elmers does and it lasts longer than a regular glue stick)
Scissors (optional)
Music – something restful to help your mind be quiet and open. I like soft classical or spa music without singing so I don’t get distracted by the words
White sage, candle or incense (optional)

Before you begin, follow a simple ritual to centre yourself:

Find a space where you won’t be interrupted. Or plan an dream board event with family and friends and be creative together!

Burn some white sage to purify the air and cleanse the environment around you. If you don’t have sage, burn a white candle or incense instead.

Put on some uplifting or relaxing music and breathe deeply. Centre yourself.

Set your intentions by asking, ‘what do I want from this?’

Close your eyes, focus on what you would like to invite into your life and ask the universe to support you for your highest good.

Collecting for my dream board

Create your dream board in 5 easy steps…

Sift through your magazines and start collecting images and words that resonate with you (don’t glue anything yet!). Don’t rush, this is a powerful exercise to attract your visions. Then grab the images and words you have collected.
Start laying your images out on your board. This is highly intuitive part of the exercise so feel free to move them about, and take out ones that no longer feel right. You may see a theme starting to emerge.
Next position the photo of yourself right in the centre showing how happy you’ll be when all these things you’re dreaming about start happening.
When you are ready, glue your images and words onto the board and draw pictures/write additional words on too.
When you feel you have completed your board, hang it somewhere where you can see it every day, like the bedroom so you see it as soon as you wake up.

Other types of dream board

I have created many different types of dream boards over the years. The three I use most often are:

1. The inviting, allowing and opening up to the Universe board

Create this dream board if…

You are not sure what you want
You need to lift your spirits after feeling lost, down or uncertain about life
You want to make a change but you’re just not sure what, or how to go about it

How to create your board:
Start to go through your magazines and simply tear out images that speak to you, don’t ask why, just enjoy collecting images and words that you’re drawn to. Once you’ve finished, look through and ask yourself what this image or word might mean for you. If you are not 10o per cent sure, but really like the image or word that’s okay, put it onto your board. Look at your board and ask yourself what messages it’s giving you. The answers to your questions will present themselves soon enough if you let your heart and intuition guide you.

2. The “I know what I want from my life” board

Create this vision board if….

You know what you want to invite into your life
You are ready and willing to change your current situation, environment or circumstances

How to create your board:
Go through your magazines and look specifically for images and words you know you want to manifest or bring into your life. For example, if you long to live in the country, own a dog and grow your own vegetables look for images of your dream country house, a dog you’d love, and fresh vegetables, etc.

3. The themed vision

Create this vision board if:

There is a particular area of your life that you are looking to work on – like your career, health, relationship, etc.
You are starting a new creative project, redecorating your home, or buying new clothes and want inspiration, clarity and focus
You are planning a big event like a wedding, party or holiday

How to create your board:
Go through your magazines and choose images and words that align with the vision you are trying to create. For example, let’s say, I want to makeover my balcony so it looks beautiful all year round, creating a themed board – also called a mood board – is a great way to gather inspiration and spark ideas. Pinterest is great for this. You can also inject an extra tactile element by adding physical objects (like photos, objects from the garden, textured materials, and colour swatches) to your physical board so it becomes a piece of mixed media art, and starts to tell a richer more detailed story.

It’s important to remember that there’s no right or wrong way to create a dream board. Just go with your instincts and be open. You may be surprised by what comes as a result! I hope you enjoy creating your boards as much as I do and that you begin to see the power of them as your dreams start coming to life.

You can find more information on full moon phases, mandalas and dream boards here.

***

Louise Gale is a British mixed media artist, with a passion for colour, nature and mandala making. She spends her days creating, running creative workshops and assisting other creative souls with their businesses. Louise is also a member of the Do What You Love Team.

Louise spent 8 years living the USA, just outside of New York City where she found the courage to leave her windowless office corporate job and pursue a life filled with more creativity and freedom.

Her artwork has been featured in The New York Times, Amulet Magazine, and Inc. Magazine amongst many other books and publications. Louise is also one of the co-authors of “Mandala for the Inspired Artist: Working with paint, paper, and texture to create expressive mandala art” (Walter Foster) published in 2016.

Connect with Louise via her website, Instagram or Facebook.

An out of office experience

Posted on 2017-01-31 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

This a guest post by adventurer, author and motivational speaker Alastair Humphreys. Find out more about Alastair here.

“This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don’t like something, change it. If you don’t like your job, quit. If you don’t have enough time, stop watching TV.” – Holstee

Rain rattled the windows. An elderly man on a mobility scooter urged his machine a little faster across the wet grey car park. I sighed.

I had driven all the way to west Wales for a microadventure with some of the guys from howies. They had never slept a night in a bivvy bag and looked a little reluctant to start now. I had slept many nights in a bivvy bag and was very reluctant to add to my tally in this weather.

But we persisted. And that is the key to doing almost anything interesting in life. You’ve just got to do it. Team howies turned off their computers and shut down the office. We began.

Leaving the office for an overnight adventure

Ade, Alex, Ruben and I pedalled through the damp, grey town, through a heavy rain shower or two. And then we were out into the fresh air and brighter skies of the countryside. Wet hedgerows sparkled in the sunshine as we stretched our legs and cheered at the feeling of racing down a quiet road towards the coast.

Taking a break to watch the sun set

The roads became smaller and narrower and quieter. We turned up a bridleway laden with blackberries. Up and over a hill then racing like mad little things through exciting singletrack and down to the coast. We were just in time. The sky was heavy grey. The sea had a strange deep purple sheen. But between the sea and the sky blazed a brilliant golden sunset. We were so happy to be out here.

Seals bobbed quietly below us. Alex observed that we had been riding for only as long as his normal car-bound boring drive home. He had swapped his daily commute for a bike ride, a fabulous sunset and the open sea. And -for one night only- this was home. We unrolled bivvy bags in a grassy clifftop hollow. Hidden from the wind, open to the sea and the stars. We ate and drank and chatted and then we lay down to sleep.

I lay awake for a good while, enchanted by the clouds rolling above us. A lighthouse beat its regular rhythm through the night. Each time I woke in the night I noticed the stars moving above us. The Big Dipper was so bright and distinct it looked as though it had been painted bright onto the sky above.

The Big Dipper

To my relief it did not rain and we woke refreshed and happy. Espresso, a clifftop view, and a stonking singletrack downhill makes for a happy start to a day.

Waking up in the fresh air

Follow that with a swim in the sea and a bacon sandwich and you really do have all the necessary ingredients for a short, sharp microadventure.

All this, all this in just those hours we waste so often, the hours between finishing a hard day’s work at the office and beginning the next one.

Try it.

You won’t regret it. (Unless it rains!)

***

Perfect time for a revolution!

Are you ready for a new challenge or adventure? Have you been doing the same thing for so long that you’ve forgotten who you are? Are you questioning what you really want from life? Then now’s the perfect time for a change.

Whatever your year was like in 2016, this is a chance to start again, right where you are, and choose how you want your year to feel in 2017.

‘New Year’s Revolution‘ is a free tool for meaningful planning to help you make this coming year amazing. Our FREE 24-page e-book will help you extract the good from 2016, look ahead and shape your 2017 into the year you want it to be. It includes a powerful technique to help you make dreams into reality, and make your ideas happen.

Print it out, grab a pen, make a cuppa, go somewhere you won’t be disturbed, and get ready to embark on a fantastic voyage of self-discovery.

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Strollers, strangers and serendipity (+ meet me in London!)

Posted on 2017-01-26 at 4:54 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

Last March I got on a train to London, to get myself some inspiration at Hay House’s flagship event ‘Ignite’. It was a fairly straightforward journey – one train ride to Waterloo Station, then a quick hop on the Northern line of the Underground to Euston.

I took along my then eight month old baby in her pushchair, which suddenly seemed like a really bad idea when I realised London Waterloo has a very steep escalator down to the Underground, and no working lift. As I approached the top of the moving stairway wondering how on earth I was going to get us down safely, at the exact same moment three friendly-looking women approached. You know the kind – a small group of friends happily chattering away, all clutching takeaway coffees, with glossy hair and lovely bright clothes, the kind you see and want to be friends with. Yes, three women like that. All three of them turned to me at the same time and said, “You want a hand?” Ahh bless, they were nice as well! “We’re all mums. We know what it’s like.”

And so with a series of swift moves, one was holding all the coffees, one all the handbags and the other two of us holding onto my precious cargo as the steps carried us down into the belly of the Tube.

“You look like you’re having a day out,” I guessed. “Where are you off to?”

“We’re going to an event,” the one with the shiny brown bob said. “Near Euston station.”

“Not ‘Ignite’ by any chance?”

“Yes!” “No way, me too!”

Over 250,000 people pass through Waterloo every day. I met the three who were going to the same place as me, on the other side of the city.

And so we travelled across London together, nattering fast, learning about what each of us did, and why we had all been drawn to ‘Ignite’.

Those lovely ladies were Sam Reynolds, former PA to Daniel Craig, and three-time cancer survivor who runs SamSpaces, a network for people finding their way after cancer, Caroline Udall (founder of The Company of Mums – check out her fab vlog), Jo Ferrone, founder of Wrapped Up Admin (a team of working mums who provide admin, sales & marketing support to small businesses.)

We had much in common and have stayed in touch. In fact, I was so blown away by Sam’s story that I ended up interviewing Sam for my book, Freedom Seeker, and was wholly moved by her strength and light.

And then there was the event itself. I was so inspired by the speakers – all Hay House authors – not just by what they were saying, but the way that they spoke. They told their stories with such power, and touched everyone in the room.

And so it is with so much gratitude and excitement that I can say I’m going to be on that very stage in just a few weeks’ time! Ignite is back and I’m going to be joining six other speakers, many of whom have been a huge inspiration in my personal journey. They are leading lights in the fields of spirituality and personal development – Sonia Choquette, Rebecca Campbell, Carrie Green, Charlie Morley, Sandy Newbigging and Mel Wells. What a day it’s going to be!

I would LOVE to see you there! I’ll be talking all about Freedom Seeking: How to live more, worry less and do what you love. You can register for Ignite 2017 here.

It is in flying free that we fulfil our true potential, and in this talk I’ll reveal how to escape the pressures of modern life, and find the keys to living the life you want. I will share highly relatable and moving personal stories to illustrate the gifts of freedom seeking, and a number of simple but powerful techniques to help you unlock a deep sense of personal freedom. As you begin to use these in your daily life, you will immediately feel more uplifted, happy and free.

The event is on March 18^th, and although it’s a couple of weeks before my book is officially published, rumour has it that there will be early copies for my first ever book signing! Which means, I get to meet YOU and hear about your own journey of freedom seeking too. So if you can be in London on March 18^th, please come, and gift yourself a thought-provoking, perspective-shifting, inspiring day of talks. (PS May I politely suggest you take the Tube to get there, you never know who you might meet…)

You see, it’s all about people. Love and people. Real love and the right kind of people.

Much love,

Beth

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