Gallery – Page 2

Can DNA influence you as you’re writing your life story?

February 23, 2014 by Camilla

I’ve always been different, doing my own thing, going against the flow, challenged the status quo. That all comes natural to me. I also grew up in a household that pushed me to be different. I’m lucky I didn’t have to rebel against my parents and that they encouraged me to question the status quo.

How much easier is it for me to try to live my life the way I want to compared to someone that has a more compliant DNA or that like me has a more rebellious DNA but deal with resistance due to family, society, religion or other external factors?

How much does your DNA influence you as you are trying to write your life story? And how much does the DNA of the people you surround yourself with influence you?

I wish I had all the answers but I don’t so I decided to start looking for them as this is a subject that really interest me. Joe Abraham wrote a book called Entrepreneurial DNA: The Breakthrough Discovery that Aligns Your Business to Your Unique Strengths and offers a free test called B.O.S.I. that stands for Builder, Opportunist, Specialist and Innovator. His TED talk video explains how our DNA influence how we act in business and how the mix of employees or business partners based on what their B.O.S.I. letters are impacts the business.

Another truly interesting book that I’ve come across is Tamara Lowe’s Get Motivated!: Overcome Any Obstacle, Achieve Any Goal, and Accelerate Your Success with Motivational DNA where she talks about how our DNA influence us how we are motivated and that we have different motivational traits, i.e. what motivates someone may demotivate someone else, and if we don’t know what works and what doesn’t it’s hard for us to get motivated and motivate others. She has a great free test as well on her website. Her book and test are applicable to everything in life and her background is quite remarkable.

I highly recommend you take both tests, check out the books and start thinking about how your genetics is influencing you today and how it influences you as you’re writing or rewriting your story, pursuing your dreams and passions. I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

How do you feel your DNA and upbringing influence you today as you’re working on writing or rewriting your story?

*There are affiliate links in this post.

5 ways to save 2,000 dollars in 60 days!

February 18, 2014 by Camilla

Last week I learned I’m going to have to mail a big fat check by April 15th, so in about 60 days. You can figure out where the money is going. Taking money out of savings for something like that is like having to use vacation days to be home with the flu. Instead of taking the lazy way out I’m challenging myself to find the money elsewhere. I enjoy challenges. Especially when it comes to finding extra money.

How much do I need to find? Close to 2,000 dollars. I can hear you laughing now because in your mind there’s no way to find that kind of money in 60 days. Actually it’s a lot easier than you think.

1. Stop drinking Starbucks. In 60 days you will have about 240 dollars. 4 dollars a day for 60 days = 240 dollars. Simple math. Don’t drink latte’s? Stop eating out. That will save you even more money.

2. Don’t go grocery shopping for a while. Eat what you have at home, empty your fridge and freezer. It may mean some creative meals but you’ll survive. I can’t tell you how often people complain about the money they spend on groceries, yet their freezer is overflowing, their fridge is so packed you can’t see what’s in there and their cabinets have more soup cans than you can count! I don’t have an overflowing freezer but I’m going to have some empty cabinets in 60 days! The savings here will vary of course but it’s not hard to save 400-800 dollars in 60 days by not going to the grocery store as often.

Think you don’t spend a 100 dollars a week on groceries? Especially if you have a family? Collect all your receipts for 60 days. Just sit down when you tally them up because you may faint when you see the total. Groceries steal a lot of money when we don’t pay attention. Unless you follow a strict budget or the cash envelope system you tend to spend more on groceries than you think. And remember, things like chips, soda and ice-cream are all fun but huge money wasters. Cut them out, save money and you may lose a few pounds too.

3. Challenge yourself to drive less. Carpool. Combine trips. Ride a bike to work. Take the bus. Let’s say you’re able to save 15 dollars a week. Not huge right? But in 60 days that’s 120 dollars.

4. Skip hair, beauty and clothing shopping. I already hate clothing shopping so no problem there but I’m skipping a hair appointment to save some cash. I can survive going an extra ten weeks before cutting and coloring my hair. Besides, it’s winter and hats are in season.

5. Find extra money. Do a yard sale. Sell things. Find a second job or work extra available hours (that’s what I’m doing). Deliver pizza. Walk dogs. Mow lawns. Donate plasma. Sell things you make on Etsy. Collect aluminium cans and other scrap metal. Sell stuff at consignment stores. Sell cookies and pies. Savings: unlimited

For some awesome ideas on how you can save even more money check out 107 Ways to Save or Make More Money and my #1 Amazon Bestselling book* How To Get Out of Debt Living Paycheck to Paycheck or sign up for The Financial Freedom course.

By skipping daily lattes, making creative meals, driving less, skipping a hair appointment and working extra hours at my seasonal job I’m going to have the money by April 15th. Is it going to be all fun? No. But it’s also rewarding to give yourself a challenge like this. And it’s only 60 days. After that I’m going back to my normal budget that is a bit more lenient.

I invite you to join me on this challenge. It’s actually going to be fun. What ideas do you have? And have you ever challenged yourself like this?

*This link goes to Amazon. Should you purchase from there I may receive a small commission. I appreciate your support.

Goodbye Starbucks. Hello Dream.

February 13, 2014 by Camilla

Dear Starbucks,

it’s been great but I need to break up with you. It’s not you. Well, maybe it is. In matter of fact, it’s all you.

You are simply not good for me. You cost me way too much money. You entice me with marketing deals that I as a marketing person should know to say no to but I can’t. You have me addicted. You entice me with things like gingerbread lattes at Christmas time. Now you even have gingerbread whip cream. Then, just as I’m about to break up with you there’s half off after 3 pm. Then again, just as I’m gaining strength to break up with you the star dash arrives and you appeal to my competitive side to get 10 extra stars if I buy 6 latte’s. You know my weaknesses and you take advantage of them. Each and every single time.

You’re not good for me. You’re slowly poisoning my body with non-organic beans, non-organic milk, corn syrup and artificial flavors in your lovely sweet syrups that delight my senses and make me believe happiness lays in a cup of frothed milk with espresso. I stay away from all that when it comes to food but when it comes to you my common sense goes out the window as soon as my lips hit that first sip. You have me hooked, making me want more. I don’t know what secret ingredient you use but you have me figured out.

My life was perfectly fine before you came into my life. In matter of fact, it was great. Breaking up with you is hard. I like you. A lot. I’m not sure I can never, ever see you again. But I have to stay strong and stay away from you. I’d love to get back to that flirt status again. That made me feel extra special but you did not control my life. Instead you put a smile on my face for that day but then I wouldn’t see you for a long time and you would just stay like a fun illusion of what could be. Because I’ve learned that once I let you in, then you take over and control my life. So I’m sorry, but I have to break up with you. I’ll be thinking of you but I won’t see you for a while.

With love,
a slightly addicted Starbucks customer that is now going to go cry

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Now, I’m not that addicted to Starbucks but just enough that well, I am. It’s money that I can use towards my dream instead. It’s not hard to spend a $1,000 on latte’s in a year. In matter of fact, it’s quite easy. Especially since it’s only about 4 dollars each time that leaves the wallet. I’m going to miss my latte’s. But my dream means more to me and latte’s are stealing from that. I survived perfectly fine when I didn’t have a daily latte. I will survive just fine this time around too and in a year I will have an extra 1000 dollars that went towards my dream instead of to a cup of frothed milk with espresso.

Tell me. What are you willing to give up for your dream?

Stay or go? Why I decided to change my life.

February 5, 2014 by Camilla

After my last post “10 Steps to Getting off the Hamster Wheel” my friend Lynn, who writes this awesome blog Not Drinking Coffee, suggested that I write about why I decided to take the step to change my life and follow my dreams.

Never in million years did I think I would end up in the corporate world. I always kept my options open and worked various jobs and freelanced so that I would have plenty of time to go travel and play. I never believed in following the traditional route and still don’t.

But then somehow when I wasn’t paying attention I ended up on the traditional route by getting a “real” job, a nice place to live, a nice car and all the stuff that comes with “growing up.” Before I knew it I found myself stuck with bills and responsibilities making it hard to survive unless I had a real job. Hence, the feeling of being stuck in a hamster wheel started. A feeling I know many experience.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with a corporate job. In matter of fact, they can be great. You learn a lot. You grow. You gain knowledge. But you also lose freedom. You only get a certain amount of weeks for vacation. Going road tripping the entire summer is out of reach. So you keep on trying to balance two worlds. The old world filled with fun and play and the new world that flies by in the speed of light because you’re so busy working almost every week out of the year!

So why did I make the decision to change my life? Because despite living a great life it is also not a life I can see myself in decade after decade. I have a great job that I love. It gives me a lot of flexibility but it doesn’t allow me to go travel for months at the time. I want to set my own schedule. My own path. I want to help others make their dream a reality. I want to become a better life and money coach. I want to start a non-profit. I want to have more time to spend with family.

It wasn’t an easy linear process. I spent years trying to figure out what passions to pursue. As you age you start thinking about things like retirement. Plus once accustomed to making a certain amount of money it’s hard to think of going back to “college day broke” and the inconsistent income freelancing or starting a business will bring so the tug-a-war of what you should do starts. During this process it’s so easy to focus on what you have instead of focusing on what you could have.

Taking the step leaving the comfort zone to pursue your dream is both thrilling and scary. But eventually you just need to say enough is enough and figure out a way to change your life and start designing it in a way that is authentic to you. Why? Because life is too short to live someone else’s dream.

I know I’m not alone in this tug-a-war of thoughts. It’s something many go through as they are trying to figure life out. I would love to hear your thoughts, comments and stories.

10 steps to getting off the hamster wheel.

January 28, 2014 by Camilla

Getting off the hamster wheel mean different things to different people. However, one of the most common is that people want to get out of the 8-5 rut and leave their job. You dream about being able to quit your job and do your own thing but not sure how to.

Everyone’s journey is different but below are the steps I created for my journey.

Step 1: Make a decision to change your life. It all starts with that. Make that decision today! It’s never too late but you need to to want a change in your life.

Step 2: What would you do if you didn’t have to work for money? That’s your passion. Pursue that! And don’t get discouraged if that change, because as you go along you may discover new passions that you want to pursue more than the original one.

Remember, pursuing a dream is scary and will take you out of your comfort zone. Fear, insecurity, feelings of inadequacy are all normal feelings as you start thinking about actually pursuing your dream and passion. Don’t let that stop you. Keep going. No one ever said it would be easy. Only worth it!

Step 3: Get out of debt. Now. As fast as you can so that you are ready to take that leap when time comes. I cannot emphasize this enough. Having that financial freedom allows you to take a few risks, pursue your dream and go for it! When your expenses are minimal you are not slave to a job to make ends meet.

Step 4: How can you make money on your passion? Watch others and what they are doing, do that but make sure to be you! Seek out people doing what you want to do. Read books, follow blogs, listen to podcast, go to seminars, conferences and so on. Ask others that are doing what you want to do for advice. You will be surprised how many are willing to help you succeed. Get a mentor.

Step 5: Test, tweak and practice your ideas. This is a great time to practice and tweak. You have your day job which allows you to experiment. When I started this blog I originally wanted it to be more of a financial site, but it’s turning into more of a “pursue your dream” blog. I have the freedom to experiment and tweak because I’m not under the pressure to have it all figured out overnight.

Step 6: Work hard. Hustle. Set a time frame for when you are making that leap. Prepare. Don’t think you have the time? You do. What you don’t have time for is to wake up one day regretting not living your life doing what matters. Remember, you have the same amount of time as everyone else.

Step 7: Believe in yourself. You can do this! Find support. Distance yourself from the people that are trying to hold you back. Surround yourself with people that inspire you, that believe in your dream and support you.

Step 8: Don’t burn any bridges. Ever. Leave your job on good terms.

Step 9: Promote yourself, like crazy.

Step 10: You are living your dream! Now pay it forward by helping others live their dream. Be a mentor.

Two of the best books I have ever read and are must reads for anyone wanting to pursue their passion and leave their job are No More Mondays: Fire Yourself — and Other Revolutionary Ways to Discover Your True Calling at Work and 48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller.

Living your life doing what matters and pursuing your calling is not a straight arrow kind of pursuit. It’s more like a roller coaster full of ups and downs. It can be a wild ride but it is worth it, trust me!

*There are affiliate links in this post.

I love to start a conversation about what steps and ideas you have for getting off the hamster wheel. What are some you recommend?