Time flies so fast. It feels like it was only yesterday when I started planning on being back on the road. And I couldn’t even believe that I’m on my 9th month already travelling around Southeast Asia while teaching myself how to be location independent through online ventures.
A year ago, I was clueless on what to do and extremely nervous on the steps that I was taking. But I was lucky to be supported by the wonderful communities of foreign and local travel bloggers and of course by you, my dear readers.
A year ago, I was just day dreaming about it and now I’m already living that dream. I honestly don’t know on how long this will last but I will definitely savour every single day of this life-changing adventure.
2011 was a breakthrough year for me. It was a year full of learning. It was the year when I metaphorically speaking “jumped off the cliff” and said, “I’m gonna live the life I want.” It was a leap of faith!
And now, I’m asking myself, “What’s next?”
If 2011 was the year of making a dream a reality, then 2012 would be the year to sustain it.
Building something from the ground up is a bit easy, the real challenge lies now on making this lifestyle sustainable.
The goal is technically still the same, to be location independent. I’d like to continue having the freedom to earn anywhere at my own pace and at my own schedule.
Here are the steps I’m taking which I hope could also help you if you’re thinking of doing the same thing:
1. Learn from Mistakes: I was able to build quite a number of niche websites last 2011. Almost all of them failed to reach their target due to mistakes I failed to realize early. But those big failures turned out to be my biggest learning as well. Armed with new knowledge, I feel more confident on building my next sites.
2. Let Go: There’s no sense on holding on to anything in this world. Everything is temporary, the more we hold on to something, the more they become a liability for us to bear. Having that in mind, I’m not renewing some of my sites which I feel would only eat up my time and yet won’t produce my desired results.
3. Don’t Rest on Laurels: Flipnomad, my flagship site (as of now), has gain considerable growth in the span of only two years. The goal and at the same time the challenge now is to continue the growth while working on new sites.
4. Take on New Challenges: I might be taking on new offline projects hopefully by the 3rd or last quarter of next year depending on the amount of money that I could save. I’d like to diversify my income stream so if one stream dried up, I still have some others to rely on.
5. Be Strategic with Our Biggest Resource: I realized that money is not the biggest resource, it’s TIME! I can’t use money to generate an extra hour but I could use my time to generate money. We only have 24 hours in one day, 8 to 10 hours of it are spent sleeping. I want to make sure that I find value in the remaining 14 hours that I’m awake and of course continue having fun while doing the things I love.
New Adventures
I’m planning to travel outside Southeast Asia but I’m still not sure when the exact date is since I’m also considering saving up first and funnel the savings to my offline ventures. So it’s a “wait and see” plan for now.
New Ebooks
I’m enjoying creating ebooks and I will continue to do so in the coming months. If you haven’t seen my first two FREE EBOOKS <-- click on the link to find out how you can get a copy.
End of the World
Worrying about things beyond our control is a big waste of time so I’ll just let it be. If it ends, so be it. If it doesn’t, then great. What matters to me now, is staying present and “living not just simply breathing ”.
2012 is indeed an exciting year for all of us! It’s a chance to break from the cycle and pursue something that we really love.
Leaving you with one of my favourite quotes from Seth Godin…
“Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from.”
Here’s wishing you more travels and blessings next year! Happy New Year Plif! Can’t wait for your next e-book!
Happy new year to you!
amen to number 2
see you again on the road, perhaps very soon!
Happy New Year Flip! I wonder where you’ll be the time we make it back to Souteast Asia…
Happy New Year too Gay, Ron and Mervs
happy new year flip!
im still looking forward to the day that i’ll be out of the country and travel just like what you are doing, you’re one of those who inspired me to explore SEA. hopefully i can make it soon!
putukan na!
Wow Flip, you’ve grown a lot in 2011!
thanks @nina happy new year too @darwin
Happy New Year Flip and hope you have a great 2012.
I realized that money is not the biggest resource, it’s TIME! I can’t use money to generate an extra hour but I could use my time to generate money.>>> great point Flip. we’ll surely learn from you year by year. we too wanted to try this. so we’re looking up to you.
cheers to great plans and travel in 2012! new ventures.
thanks and Happy New Year to you @dong and @ted
Wish you all the best in 2012! A lot of trips
Thanks for the inspiration, Flip. You truly helped me in a lot of ways!
Happy New Year Flip. Glad to know that you’re enjoying your life on the road. Continue inspiring us of your travels and tales.
Hey Flip, Happy New Year and here’s to a great year ahead! Your blog has been really inspiring
Hope to catch you on the road one of these days 
Great posts in general but it’s point number 3 that resonates most with me. It’s easy to put things in cruise control after experiencing a bit of success, but I feel that’s the most crucial time to expand and grow even more. Best wishes in 2012! I know it’ll be a great year for you
Love the update and the honesty about moving on. If it makes you feel better the Maya calendar does end in 2012 but what no one says is that a new one begins.
Here’s to new beginnings.
Happy New Year! You’ve been a big inspiration this year by taking that leap of faith and living your dream. I hope you have many great adventures and continue living the life you want in 2012.