Comments on: Giving Up Everything

By: mitirino

mitirino — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:54:13 +0000

That’s really how it is when you are flying solo. But if you have two or three other people lined up beside your wing then risking is something different. … You risk by not taking on the risk. It takes much longer to see if it paid off. But when you don’t take a fork that you know you otherwise would have taken it is a big risk. It’s not much different than giving up everything really… only everything is not cars and a paycheck but is your own life… you give it up and you see what happens.

By: Arda

Arda — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:51:20 +0000

great article! thats what i am doing right now and i totally agree. life – risk = death.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 04:07:18 +0000

I find myself in the same situation today! My story a bit different. I do not have a truly disciplined skill such as programming, but rather a well rounded knowledge of how businesses function and a bit of systems knowledge coupled with the knack for being able to figure out pretty much any logical problem placed in front of me.

I took out a lot of student loans to attend a top 20 business school. I obtained that ‘dream’ job making more money than anyone I know. I dislike the city, don’t really see eye-to-eye with anyone at my work (the place is a cash cow so this makes it harder), and departed a 5 year relationship with a beautiful bright woman–pain!!!!

SOOO, I paid off all my ‘private’ student loans. Where most people would have taken 20 years, it took me 2 (paying off 20 grand is not easy). I still have federal debt, but that is manageable making half of what I make now. I am confident that I could find a job making half of what I made anywhere.

Next step–build up my nest egg for a few months and leave the country for a few, teach English maybe? I don’t know. It’s the scariest idea I’ve ever entertained. I thought about picking up a skill in the next few months such as programming, but am really trying to work on my social skills. For me the two collide, as my English erodes when I study systems or code…

Just wanted to share. Feedback is welcome.

“There is no wrong decision, as long as you make one.” -Quote from a man.

I’m not sure how many decisions I’ve actually made consciously in my life up to this point, and that is why I want to start over!

By: cuncon

cuncon — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:26:07 +0000

@T
IMO nothing is equally true for everyone. If every farmer feels bored of their life and take on entrepreneur, we’ll be left with no food. If every worker quit job to pursuit their dream to be the boss, then who’ll be the worker. If every women are just like you who have zero commitment, then there’ll be no more marriage.
I’m exaggerating it. But that’s how it work. 2 people learn Zen, you think that “live for the moment” means you have to do what you like and disregard the rest; I think it means I have to appreciate what I am having and learn to be happy with it. 2 people are not exactly the same, either because we are not born the same, and society would be chaos if we are the same.

By: Comfort zones are for expanding « The Outer Voice…

Comfort zones are for expanding « The Outer Voice… — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:04:51 +0000

[...] on April 5, 200818. I’ve just finished reading Brad Bollenbach’s article on giving up everthing to do something else from scratch. He makes a really good point in that even when you have no idea [...]

By: Comfort zones are for expanding

Comfort zones are for expanding — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 16:55:37 +0000

[...] just finished reading Brad Bollenbach’s article on giving up everything to do something else from scratch. He makes a really good point in that even when you have no idea [...]

By: coolstar

coolstar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:58:10 +0000

hmmm…”Life minus risk equals death?”hmmm….interesting comment..I would rephrase it….”Life minus risk equals boredom or stagnation” not necessarily death…the majority are programmed to seek comfort and security….the way of life to most is to live in that comfort zone as oppose to the “unknown zone” the “outerlimits” “Repleiy’s Believe it or not”….one day you wake up and find yourself in the comfort zone, “groundhog” day. The everyday grind of the “American dream” the white picket fence, the “family guy” and you…you stare into space, fustrated and bore…you want to fight, fight for your right to live, to love to skydive into oblivion, into the unknown, the abyss, “The MATRIX” and you…lmao…you wake up one day and create you own “highlight zone” the “twilight zone.” You create a model, a prototype of your own universe of a “Fight Club”….ahhh….it’s ALIVE!….Little Young Frankenstein took the high road to Hollywood and came back a dare devil! A Skydiver! “I’m KING OF THE WORLD!” or “Spartan Queen”…..lmao…”I’m still standing…la,lala, la,la…” “No I wont back down…and I’l stand my ground…la, lala, la,la….”…lmao…my own formula: “Life plus calculated risk equal a highway to heaven/innovation/creation/ the spice of life =)…..or “Life plus a blitz, a Hail Mary = the Big Bang Theory/ Spontaneous Combustion!…lmao… and there you have it peeps =)

By: rajeev saxena

rajeev saxena — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:23:54 +0000

it is really interesting but i think i can not be applied for every common guy.really appreciable

By: dorksgetlaid2

dorksgetlaid2 — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:11:37 +0000

I read your blog a couple days ago and I just stumbled upon this psychological theory of development that explains this perfectly:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_Disintegration

By: Rod

Rod — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:15:08 +0000

Hi! Newbie here :)

I’m in the same situation of your first key moment (with less income than your :P) and your post is encouraging.

I was seeking someone who has done the same step I intend to do now

Bye!

Rod