Interview with Catherine from Sooner Not Later

It’s been a little while since I interviewed someone that either has left the wheel or doing something different. I met Catherine in an online group and thought her idea of pursuing 52 bucket list items in 52 weeks definitely counts as doing something different. Catherine is going to share her journey on Sooner Not Later that will begin January 1, 2015. Her mission is to quit waiting for someday and start making things happen while teaching others how to organize their lives so they can do the same.

Catherine agreed to an interview and you can definitely feel her energy and zest for life through the written word. Enjoy!

Q: What one thing or event made you decide to do this now vs. later? If no such particular event, how did the decision evolve?

A: One Sunday, back in February, I was at church and, over and over, people asked me “How was your week?” and I found myself responding, “Good… I guess. I don’t even really know what I did.” This was almost always my answer. But this time, I heard how depressing it sounded and thought, “I need a better answer…. No, I need a better life.”

A few days later, I was driving and had this thought “We were created for freedom. Jesus is all about freedom.” It sounds like a weird leap but right then, I decided He must not be a fan of the overworked, stressed out, debt up to our ears way we live and made a commitment to find a location independent job, gain control of my own schedule and get out of debt by the time I turn 30. That was the start of all the change.

Q: What is your #1 advice for people that don’t know where to start but would like to do what you are doing?

A: “You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with most” (Jim Rohn) so make sure you’re choosing people who line up with your personal goals and values. Whatever it is you want to do or be, surround yourself with people who are doing it. Read books, subscribe to podcasts or blogs and immerse yourself in their works.

When I started out, I somehow came across Pat Flynn’s Smart Passive Income podcast and it changed everything for me in one day. Since then, I have tried out podcasts from other leading experts but most of them I can’t get into. Stick with who you personally connect with and feel you can trust. Not only will this educate you, but it will quiet the negative voices and doubt that start to take over in your mind.

Q: Do you follow other blogs or websites that are doing what you are doing? If so, any you would recommend?

A: I don’t know anyone who is actually doing what I am doing but there are three entrepreneurs who have become my ultimate guides to success in this venture.

In a totally not weird way, Pat Flynn, was my first love when it comes to the world of online business. Through his podcast, I was taught my dream wasn’t insane and learned it was possible to become successful by making service your top priority.

Then one day I found Natalie Sisson from The Suitcase Entrepreneur, and she invited me to be part of The Freedom Plan test group, I was at my first very real crosswords. Because of The Freedom Plan, I had the tools, accountability and motivation to see this through. Then came Jason Surfrapp, with his book, Creativity For Sale: How I Made $1,000,000 Wearing T-Shirts and How You Can Turn Your Passion Into Profit, Too and the How To Get Sponsorships course which I am currently working on.

It’s thanks to these three that I am going to do this!

Q: How do you finance your dream? Work along the way or are you living solely on savings? Or a combination of both?

A: I left my full time job in September and now work part time for an online non-profit called XXXChurch. We provide resources for people who have been impacted in some way by the adult sex industry. This is everyone from porn addicts to girls working in the industry. I can work from anywhere, make my own schedule AND it’s something I am passionate about.

Additionally, I am pursuing sponsorship’s for Sooner Not Later using strategies I learned from Creativity For Sale.

Q: Do you meet a lot of other people that are doing what you are doing or do you feel as if you’re still breaking new ground wherever you go? And are the people you meet mostly single or families?

A: Overall, I really haven’t found anyone who is doing what I hope to achieve with Sooner Not Later. There are blogs and people who are passionate about similar topics but I still see our projects as very different.

However, through networking groups like Jon Acuff’s 30 Day’s of Hustle, Live Your List, and The Suitcase Entrepreneur’s Freedom Plan, I have had the opportunity to connect with other dreamers, bloggers, etc. While these people have different passions and diverse lives, we’ve found we still have a tons of common ground and can challenge and encourage each other with various viewpoints. I actually think this contributes to our success in a greater way than if we were all pursuing the same things.

Additionally, through these groups I was able to organize a diverse team of contributors for Sooner Not Later. I believe this will truly increase the value we offer our readers and help audience members begin to organize their lives and start making things happen sooner, not later.

Q: How would you want your eulogy to be read? And do you feel that you are living your life in a way that fits that?

A: I want to be remembered for my heart for people. That I loved deeply, made time for people, and invested much into the lives of those around me. I want to experience adventure and try all kinds of things (hence the SNL bucket list experiment) but I don’t want to get so hung up on it that I miss out on engaging in the here and now, whether it’s with a person on the street or my grandfather. In the end, it won’t matter how many countries I saw or if I ever learned how to fly. In the end, only the people will matter.

You can follow Catherine’s journey on her site Sooner Not Later. I have a feeling it will be a fun and inspirational one.

 

What one thing could you do today instead of someday? Share in the comments.