From Dana: This is a guest post by Kevin Cole of Perform Destiny. At just 18 years old, Kevin started the blog with a simple and gigantic goal in mind: own his life. He’s since quit the job he hated and, indeed, taken ownership of his life and his destiny. He shares his journey through the blog, on Twitter, and through his free Life Ownership course.
The New Year is here. Reflecting back on my previous year, it’s crazy to see how far I’ve come. In 2012 I worked a job I hated, decided college wasn’t right for me, fell in love for the first time, ended that relationship on bogus terms, quit my job, and had an epiphany that would change my life. It was an eventful year.
2013 is here and the evolution continues. My bucket list is pretty epic. It includes things that are just a bit cliché (skydiving) and things that are a bit off the wall (spending a week as a homeless person) but this year, I’m keeping things nice and simple.
These are the type of goals that set off a chain reaction. Accomplishing these goals means one step closer to the life I’ve always wanted. And I’m going to enjoy every second of it.
My two BIG goals
- Become an “official” entrepreneur
- Leave the country
Let’s break these down…
Become An “Official” Entrepreneur
I use the word “official” very loosely. I have wanted to be an entrepreneur for a long time, but didn’t start taking it seriously until about six months ago. Since then I have had a string of failures.
Businesses that are half-finished, consulting ideas that never saw the light of day, and affiliate sites that would make you weep.
Over the past six months I have been scouring the internet trying to learn how the hell to run a business. I got well acquainted with words like SEO, HTML, and copywriting. I’m learning a new language, and I’m becoming fluent.
I am starting to find my place in this vast entrepreneurial world and it feels good.
In 2013 I want to become self-sufficient. I want to make enough money so that I can survive solely off of internet earrings.
How do I execute this?
The answer is two-fold.
First step is to get my e-commerce biz up and running. Over everything that I’ve explored in the online world, nothing has fascinated me more than e-commerce. The idea that you can take a random niche, immerse yourself in it, and then make money has drawn me in. This is going to be my main source of income.
The second step is to create something very, very epic on my blog. I don’t have plans to monetize unless it’s truly worth the reader’s time and money, but I’m been in the process of writing a book. In the end, it’s going to be awesome on every level.
Leave The Country
Who doesn’t love world travel?
I want to leave the country in 2013 and start traveling the world. I’ve only branched off on a few occasions and I’m looking forward to ramping things up this year.
So where am I going?
Thailand.
Low cost of living, friendly people, and cheap food; it’s an obvious choice!
My plan is to leave the country in August and stay in Thailand for a month or two. Obviously the goal above will have to come to fruition for this goal to work. How’s that for an incentive!
I want to expand my mind and experience all the world has to offer. These two goals offer just that.
They are all-encompassing goals that will allow me to cross off countless other items from my bucket list.
I have no doubt in my mind I can make this happen. This post and you dear readers are my accountability partners. Whether you know it or not, typing out these words solidifies these goals. Now it’s time to achieve them.
Happy 2013 everybody.
Best of luck, Kevin! We look forward to following your journey :)
What will YOU cross off your Bucket List in 2013? Tell us in the comments! (And, if you have a heart, let Kevin know you’re with him — this kind of ambition deserves all the support we can offer, DIY Writers!)
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Featured image: “Thailand Sunset” by Michael Malz (Creative Commons)
i wish Kevin the best of luck! Can’t wait to hear more about his journey. As for my bucket list, last week I wrote a blog post of what I will try my hardest to achieve this year and push myself as a professional videographer. check it out here: http://shannonmpalmer.wordpress.com/
Thanks for reading, Shannon! Great list for 2013. Best of luck with it all – hope you’ll keep in touch, so we can follow your journey, too.
Hey Shannon,
Thanks for the support! Look forward to seeing your progress. I’ve always felt that there is so much power in a good film. Saw you live in Baltimore and went to UMBC – I literally just re-located to Florida from Baltimore. I used to spend so much time at that school. Small world. : )
Kevin: Your courage and determination are an inspiration for those of us who are farther along in our journey. It takes most people half a lifetime to recognize they need to own their own life. I haven’t quite decided all of the things I’m going to do this year but I’m working on one bucket list item that I want to accomplish by the end of February: Hang one of my own paintings in my home (and we’re talking a big one).
Dana–happy to have found another writer and blogger!
Susan
http://www.susansbucketlist.wordpress.com
http://www.metisraconteur.com
Susan – Great to meet you, too! Cool bucket list blog. Best of luck with your bucket list item for February :)
Would you like to write about one of your bucket list items for the Bucket List Challenge Blog Hop next month? Details are here: http://writersbucketlist.com/blog-hop/ – We’d love to have you!
I will so definitely participate! Thanks for the email-I’ll get my butt in gear and read the details.
Hey Susan,
Thanks for the kind words! I feel very fortunate to have figured some of these things out early in life. You’ve got some really cool list items by the way. Best of luck with your painting! As Dana said, stay in touch, I’d definitely like to follow your journey.
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