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Here is a quote Dave Jones shared with me this morning in the comments section of my last post.
I think that pretty much summarizes my view on living my life passions, providing value to the world, and being open to receiving value in return.
One of my greatest life passions is camping, and when I started writing about making money with your life passions I certainly was not interested in making money from my camping trips.
Then I started thinking…
I used to get paid to go camping. Back in my younger days, I used to lead teen travel camping adventure trips to Alaska, the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone, the Boundary Water, Pictured Rocks National Shoreline, northern Canada, Israel, and the Grand Tetons. The list goes on and on.
Then I started brainstorming…
Maybe I can get paid (again) to go camping. Maybe I can facilitate an annual Life Balance Camping Trip. Participants can get back to nature and refocus their life balance priorities.
Now I can’t wait to start planning this event!
My point is this…if you want to make money with your life passions, take the time to brainstorm new ideas and believe in the value you provide to the world.
Your stories, gifts, ideas, and passions are very important and provide significant value to the world.
Okay, enough with all of this money talk….and on to practicing the art of life balance.
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That is where I am stuck at right now. Trying to match my passion with my career. It is so difficult. I am interested in so many things, it is hard to choose one you want to focus on for the rest of your life.
Plus some of them require an education which requires money… which I don’t have!
– Jack Rugile
Simple Sapien
Yes there is always a way if we look for it. I once created a delightful business that enhanced the level and spirit of play by being inspired by the picnic games in my annual “gladiator bash”.
I like your spirit Stacey – we need more folks who simple decide to go for it!
Tom Volkar / Delightful Works last blog post..Spirit and Business
@Jack – The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to select an interest that you have to do for the rest of your life. When I was 21 and trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life, the internet was barely functioning and there was no such thing as a blog. I look forward to reading about your discoveries throughout your journey.
@Tom – It’s amazing where ideas will linger and wait for you to find them. You’re right that we just need to find the quiet moments of our lives to look for them.
Get paid to go camping? What a life! I think that many people will like that!
All the best to your annual Life Balance Camping Trip! Hope it works out well!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Mind Travel To Ancient Egypt
@Evelyn – Thanks. Now I just need to conquer the logistics!
I don’t think it can get any better than getting paid to do something you love. Good luck with your new venture!
I’m a fan of flexibility.
Have you considered “productizing” yourself, by writing a book?
You can find your voice, share your lessons learned, and write about your camping passion.
I think information products (e-books, online reports, books, training) all makes sense in today’s user-empowered, information age.
I think in terms of “productizing” you, is so you can scale and so you can decouple from time.
J.D. Meiers last blog post..6 Steps for Putting Your Strengths to Work
Hi Stacey,
That sounds like a wonderful idea. Having done it once already, you’re half way there. Have you thought about starting a camping blog. You could do reviews of camping gear, stories of campgrounds you’ve been to, safety issues, packing tips, etc… I can see it being a big hit. You go girl! 🙂
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..NBOTW – Her Spirit Will Move You
Stacey, the camping trips you were on sound fantastic! One of my all-time favorite places to camp has been Yellowstone.
Sharing your dreams here, and how they can manifest into something greater – is a bold step! Your written words give new life to your passion. Bold and daring! And I think it’s awesome!
In fact, I love the idea of the Life Balance camping trip. Just this summer, our family spent four days rafting and camping in northern Idaho. It was remote, I was disconnected from normal life, and it was very much life balancing. And this was a powerful moment in my life. A moment that helped me to define who I am.
So, I see much possibility for your dream, your passion, your opportunity to help others achieve balance in their lives.
Lances last blog post..Don’t Ever Give Up
and its so close to my fave of theodore DR SEUSS geisel:
do what you want and be who you are as those who mind dont matter and those who matter dont mind.
(ok theres no money part—-but still :))
MizFits last blog post..Gratitude. It’s all about the attitude.
@Vered – Thanks. It’s exciting to have a new baby to grow and watch flourish.
@J.D. – Wow. I have been working on the outline for my Create a Balance book but this is the first time I have every acknowledged it out loud. I will write my book and it will bring value to the world.
@Barbara – Great idea, yet I’m not interested in creating a camping blog. My passion around camping is getting my hands dirty, being in nature, and hanging out near a campfire under the stars. I want to share my life balance passions with everyone who will listen. My camping passions, however, are more about creating a personal retreat. It’s interesting how we conceptualize our different passions.
@Lance – I’m getting really excited about this idea. I love being in my “Bold and Daring” mode.
@MizFit – Thanks for sharing the whimsical Dr. Seuss quote. “BE WHO YOU ARE” – I love that.
Hey Stacey,
Camping is my wife’s passion, too, and I learned to enjoy it myself. And I want to affirm your line of thinking — it’s an inspired idea! A great example of thinking outside the box and being creative. As Tom says above, if you really think hard about it, there is always a way to meet a need with what you need to do. If you have a need to do something, it’s fair to assume that other people need to do it, too. You just have to the people.
I look forward to hearing more about your idea!
ari
Ari Koinumas last blog post..How to Climb Up the Ladder of Healing and Growth (Digest)
Stacey,
I love the quote but it hasn’t applied to me yet. I love teaching and I continue to do it but somehow the money hasn’t found me yet…
chriss last blog post..A Thankless Job
Fun – take me with you! If we open ourselves up to possibilities, they can be endless. Even if you can’t quit the full time job, passion can most definitely be part of your life somehow. Let me know when the first trip is scheduled! The logistics will be easier than you think!
Stacey,
Thank you for using my comment I am honored. Your camping idea may take off just be persistent and don’t give up. Nobody thought the Pet Rock would make any money. Anyway, another way you may market the idea is to offer it as a “Team Building” event for some of the larger businesses in your area.
I would love to go on a camping trip like that one — getting away from the world really helps to put it into perspective.
I wish I could find a way to make my passions pay the bills. I keep working at it!
Hi Stacey – it is so worth brainstorming. It’s cretainly helped you come up with a brilliant idea and I’m guessing your camping trip will appeal to lots of people. I would love to go camping in Alaska.
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I have been lucky. I have been hearing this for my lifetime. That’s the advice my dad started with every time I went to him. We spend more than 1/3rd of our lives working. So it rather be something we love and enjoy doing.
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@Ari – Yes! It was an inspired idea. I wasn’t even looking for it.
@Chris – The money hasn’t found me yet either. Fortunately I love what I do for a living.
@Stacey – Pack your bags!
@Dave – Thanks for inspiring today’s post. I promise you I won’t give up.
@Sarah – Glad to know there’s a market out there for life balance camping retreats! I need to set a date so I can count down to the adventure.
@Cath – Brainstorming or Bust! I staffed a 56 day camping trip into the Alaska wilderness. It was one of the best summers of my life!
@Avani-Mehta – I love dads that offer great wisdom to their children. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Stacey. Wow this is an amazing idea. I love camping and doing it in Alaska would be awesome! I can’t think of a better way to get focused than by spending time in nature.
Davinas last blog post..I’m Over The Moon As NBOTW
Good on you, Stacey. It should be quite attainable I’d imagine – seeing you have done something like it before (but with the new challenge of an adult group). The quote at the start is great – thanks!
Robins last blog post..Love Song To Planet Earth
Stacey, What a great idea! I would enroll in a heartbeat.
It is hard for us to see how our passions can really help others AND make us money, isn’t it? I am still struggling to see what my perfect job would be…
All the best to you!
On a different note, any idea why CommentLuv is not feeling the love for me? It has a hard time parsing my last post …never shows up.
Maya’s last blog post..Are We Taking the Time to Meditate.
@Davina – I agree. Spending time in nature is a perfect location to get focused.
@Robin – Maybe someday I can return to Australia and lead life balance camping retreats there. I miss Kakadu, Cape Tribulation, and every other square mile of Australia.
@Maya – Yes. It’s exciting to see the crossing point of where my passions, helping others, and a making money unite. Also, I’m not sure why CommentLuv is not working with your blog. I manually entered your CommentLuv this evening. Let me know if it continues to happen.
Hi Stacey, I’m new to your blog and what an inspiring way to start … I was just feeling I would never get paid to do what I love and you have reminded me that I can and I will … you’ve helped me start to resonate on a more playful level again, thank you 🙂
@Gemma – Welcome and Yes! If your intention is to get paid to do what you love then don’t give up. I’m learning that it takes bold and daring action. And I’m also loving the journey. Being on the journey is actually realizing my dreams all wrapped up in one.
Great inspiring story, Stacy. Hope you blog about your success in this one. Thanks, its got me thinking!!!
@Diane – I have a few more months and than I’ll be planning for this big event!