Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

Sometimes we feel that we cannot do what we want to do unless we go somewhere else. Most of the time, however, we can do just fine right where we are physically. We merely have to move mentally and emotionally.

I follow the Location Independent Professional blog and a few that are similar to it. The concept is simple and inviting:

1. Find a job that you could do from anywhere you have an Internet connection.
2. Work that job.
3. Leave your traditional home.
4. Hit the road.
5. Work here three months.
6. Move.
7. Repeat steps 5. through 6.

As a government retiree with some guaranteed income and a desire to see different things, this is intriguing. What is “holding me back” is that I love to see me kids and grandkid(s). My wife really loves to see our family, and I don’t want to hit the road without her.

I love a post this week from the Location Independent Professional. The basic message is:

1. Learn what it is you want.
2. Do that here and now.

Ah, lots of wisdom there. I have heard that message from many wise people over many years.

Do you want to write a novel? Start writing one today.

Do you want to write a song? Write one today.

If you have a pile of paper and a pencil, you can do these two things right now right where you are.

“But it would be more inspiring if I…”

Maybe. The trouble is, if you moved to a more inspiring place, you wouldn’t experience the place you are now and you wouldn’t be able to write about it. I once wrote fifty-something short stories. Most of them were about living in Tangipahoa Parish Louisiana. That has to be the most not-inspirational place on the planet. Or is it the most inspirational place on the planet? Sometimes I confuse the two.