Back in 2014, I wrote a weekly column for the Whistler Question newspaper (now owned by Glacier Media/Pique Newsmagazine). My life as an entrepreneur was busy back then and I had a keen interest in how to have freedom in business and adventure in life. So, who better to tap into for advice than my friend Natalie Sisson?
Freedom in Business and Adventure in Life
Natalie was (and continues to be) an entrepreneur and back then, she coined the phrase ‘freedom in business and adventure in life.’ At that time, she fully lived that tagline whilst living out of two suitcases without a home base and working from anywhere in the world. In fact, she is a best-selling author of books that tell you how to live that life.
Now, full disclaimer here. Her life has completely changed since then. She is married with an adorable son and a home. Living out of a suitcase isn’t the plan anymore but even so, the advice she shared is still valid if you want to know how to have freedom in business and adventure in life. Look no further…. here is my Whistler Question column as it was written back then.
But first, if the last bit about being tethered with a spouse and children and a home resonates, you may want to check out 10 Tips for Mompreneurs. Some rock-solid advice for you in there. And now, back to freedom!!!!
Whistler Question column, August 12, 2014
Natalie Sisson is an entrepreneur that has coined the phrase ‘freedom in business and adventure in life.’ She lives and breathes that tagline whilst living out of two suitcases without a home base and working from anywhere in the world.
At Lighthouse’s Summertime Chat last month, Natalie shared with thirty local women a powerful message around defining freedom on their own terms and she has built a thriving online community to encourage people to do just that.
During her stay in Whistler, I witnessed how she lives her life and runs her business, and ultimately, how much that differs from mine. As I worked in my home office, I looked around at all the resources and equipment realizing: “Natalie has a laptop… period.” As I grabbed a swimsuit to head to the beach, I recognized that I have several and wondered: “Does Natalie just have one suit?”
Along with material possessions comes responsibility and although that can palpitate too far in the wrong direction, I don’t know a lot of people would choose to banish their home and have all their possessions fit in one suitcase. However, I do believe that there is an abundance of people that would love to have more freedom in business and adventure in life.
It’s not Natalie’s intention that everyone opts out of societal conformity but instead, that they ask themselves: “What does freedom mean to me?” I concur and in fact, have created an entire mentor program around the belief that you can design your life and business based on your unique set of circumstance.
Following is advice on how to embark on that path.
- Ask yourself these three questions daily: “Am I who I want to be? Is who I am helping those around me? Does it serve me well?”
- Create a vision of what you want in life and business.
- Identify your values and make decisions that align with them. Misalignment will cause disharmony…. always.
- Continue a quest to grow and learn. Without moving forward and learning new things, you will undoubtedly stagnate.
- Clear clutter. Whether too much paperwork or general untidiness, clutter traps energy.
- Manage your finances. Debt isn’t necessarily evil but it’s imperative to prioritize how you spend and to quickly eliminate bad debt.
- Don’t second-guess yourself once you’ve made a decision – move on.
- Love what you do and if you don’t, find another way. That could mean leaving your job, changing your situation somehow or setting the stage for what’s next. Hint: it is never just about more money.
- Surround yourself with positive people that support your choices.
- Let go of the struggle for balance. It doesn’t exist so instead, think of it as work-life blending and gently meld together the parts of your life. That means making choices based on your priorities and closely managing your time and being very protective of boundaries.
Each of us can build a life of freedom on our own terms and it comes down to choice. As William Jennings Bryan once said:
“Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”
NOW I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: What does freedom in business mean to you?
Photo Credit: Someone emailed me a few months ago with a photo of my newspaper column on this topic. She has kept it all these years and said that it changed her life. Hearing something like that means the world so thank you! 😉