Last Day (T-1)

 Hello. Sorry it has been a few days since my last post. There are some issues with this blogging site, so I may have to move it. Also, I have now got my YouTube channel up and running, so it may take precedent. I may just use this blog for more in-depth information for those who are interested.

Tomorrow is the first day of my sabbatical! I am very excited and will begin the journey with a trip to the coast. I hope to have a video posted next week of the trip. I've got a few very exciting ideas for the channel too, so stay tuned. 

Here is the link for the channel;

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_kaoK9wXPIB-to6dXWxhxg

See you soon!

James

The Beginning Continued (T-11)

    Like most people, I have several things I would like to do during my lifetime. And like most people, they are 'someday' things. We all hear - and believe - that you shouldn't put off your dreams until 'someday' or you will never reach them.  For years, I've been reading articles and watching shows about families that live on sailboats or in motorhomes and travel. Getting better educations for their children, spending lots of time outdoors, eating better foods, and collecting memories. together. as a family. Why the hell haven't I done that? (well, there are few problems in my case, but that is not the point). 

    I thought about living in an RV before I got married (just 4 years ago). Another idea I had was to go to Europe for six to twelve months and travel around, learning at least one language and probably two. But I let fear and 'responsibilities' keep from doing it. I thought I could make that part of my retirement. Even though I knew that put me at risk of spending the rest of my life doing things I don't love instead of things I do. 

    Stephen Fry, a great British comedic actor, said “We are not nouns, we are verbs. I am not a thing - an actor, a writer - I am a person who does things - I write, I act - and I never know what I'm going to do next. I think you can be imprisoned if you think of yourself as a noun.” When I saw that, I realized that I don't want to be a noun any longer. From now on, I am a person who practices law, who writes, who learns, who travels, and more.

So, along comes the pandemic. With free time on my hands, I started to think about what I would do if I could take a few months off. And I thought about ways to make money so I could extend my sabbatical. I can do some legal work on the side and might make a temporary job part of the adventure if I find something that fits well. 

So what income opportunities are there....

 

The beginning (sort of) (T-15)

    So, where to start? At the beginning is always good. I guess that leads to the question; How did I get here? It was a slow evolution, but I would say it started with the book The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferris. (Note: I receive a tiny commission for purchases through these links) The book is basically about how to create passive income and outsource much of your life so that you have the freedom to pursue your dreams. Tim talks about 'mini-retirements' which are basically the same as a sabbatical. One of the things I really like about the book is that he doesn't have hard definitions or structured rules. It is really about having the freedom to pursue what you want to pursue. 

     Then I happened upon another book, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero. This is an amazing book that you MUST read. It is one of those that everyone who reads it will try to get you to read. They will be convincing, but you have heard it all before. So you won't read it. READ IT. (If you have read it, post in the comments how much you think others should read it) I have read it a few times and own the Kindle version as well as the audiobook. It is easy to follow and one of the most inspiring books you will read. It has encouraged me (and my wife) to take chances and enjoy life more.    

    Working as an attorney, and for the state government at the time, my options were very limited. I later left the state for a job in county government, which provided a big increase in earnings and even more limitations on my time. So I had to start working on a plan.  

And the ideas started to develop...(continued in next post). 

Welcome! (T-17 days)

 Hello! Welcome to the first post regarding my sabbatical. Although I intend to primarily focus on my YouTube page, I hope to post regular updates here as well. So, what is a sabbatical? It is time off from work to travel and/or pursue knowledge. Or just to pursue dreams. Some of the things I will attempt are;

1. Learn Spanish

2. Publish at least 2 books (one short and one very short)

3. Travel (in my RV at least)

4. Start a YouTube channel (or two, or three)

5. Learn a musical instrument

6. Learn a new skill/trade - maybe bartending?

I started off making a structured plan, but remembered I want freedom. I want the freedom to experience life and just see where things lead me. I do have plans for the Spanish course as it is my primary goal. But I have some flexibility on that and maybe a surprise later in the year. I will have to work some to extend my sabbatical as long as possible.

I will update, expand, shrink, and change this list many times. This will be a learning experience and I am going to share it with you. I hope I inspire a few of you to take some time off and pursue your dreams.

 

James