What's a Vacation

For our honeymoon, Katey and I decided to spend 30 days in Costa Rica. It’s an incredible spot, although a little expensive for the budget man’s standards ;)

After a week I couldn’t help myself, the laptop was back open.

You may think I’m crazy, and you’re right! But I bet after enough time, you’re itching to work on something too.

I’m all for taking breaks. Burnout is real.

This holiday season, I’m excited not to have to work on my full-time job.

I’m also excited that I get to work on Budgeter’s Anonymous stuff. My passion!

I’m sitting in a coffee shop on a Saturday morning as I write this. And if that’s not how you’d want to spend your Saturday morning, I get it. But this is my passion, I wake up and can’t wait to get my thoughts on paper.

And if you don’t know what your passion is, don’t worry.

Most people don’t know what they want to do.

In fact, many people don’t even try to figure it out. They may have written that possibility off altogether.

Instead, they numb that desire to find their passion. That can look different for many people but often looks like going to the hot new spot in town, obsessing over sports, and going out all the time.

Paying to be entertained.

The good news is, passion is free!

Are you a Lion or are you a Cow?

To understand finding your passion we need to think like a lion.

When a lion isn’t hunting, it’s playing, resting, and enjoying downtime.

When it finds prey, an opportunity, it goes all in. They are bold, they take risks.

Cows on the other hand, constantly graze.

Are you someone who is busy just to be busy? You might be a cow.

Being busy has become a “flex” nowadays. If someone were to ask you how you’ve been, it would almost be embarrassing to say, “Dude, so bored, I’ve actually got nothing going on. Just been resting.”

Instead, we let people know we’re very important and matter; therefore, we’re busy—so busy!

And look, you may be in a season of being busy. But you need to ask yourself if you are busy because of things that light you up, that fuel your passion, or at least get you closer to your passion.

If you’re grinding to get out of debt, you may be busy doing things that don’t feel important. That’s ok, you’re building the foundations.

Ask yourself these two questions right now:

“Is this task directly contributing to my goals or priorities?” - Evaluate whether the activity aligns with your long-term objectives or is just filling time without meaningful impact.

"If I stopped doing this task, would it have a noticeable negative effect?" – Consider whether the task is essential or if it’s something that can be delegated, automated, or eliminated altogether.

It’s ok to be bored! That’s where our best ideas come from. That’s how we problem-solve!

If you’re struggling to do this, start by just going for a walk outside, by yourself, no phone.

Finding Your Passion During The Holidays

Christmas and New Year fall during a time when most people are going to have a lot of time off in the next two weeks.

Maybe that’s not you, maybe you’re hustling this holiday season. Let’s go!

If that’s not you, take advantage of that time.

Spend 30 minutes each day being bored. Write down the thoughts you come out of this in Apple Notes.

Really bored.

No phone, no books, no tv, and most importantly, no judgment.

If no thoughts come down, that’s ok, no pressure.

Embrace curiosity, not perfection.

Pay attention to the activities that make you lose track of time or feel deeply fulfilled.

Ask yourself what topics you naturally talk about, read about, or enjoy learning more about.

I promise, if you do this for 14 days straight, you will learn more about yourself. And each day, you’ll probably go a little deeper.

And you might be lucky, your current job or career is your passion. Great! Go all in! Be a lion.

But I’m hoping that for those reading this who want more passion projects in their life.

Those who aspire to make money off something they wake up feeling fired up about.

Spending these 14 days being bored, can help you start the new year with focus. Ready to experiment and ready to take that first step.

How You Can Help!

I’m thinking more about YouTube. I don’t want to ever charge this community but Budgeter’s Anonymous now costs me a little over $110/mo now. Youtube is a great long term solution to cover the costs as they pay you for views when you reach over 1,000 subs.

What is some long-form content that you’d be interested in me covering?

Here is a segment I’m testing out on there right now:

If you’re wondering where I get all this financial news I’m using this free newsletter from Moby. They have a premium offer but I don’t pay for that today, I just enjoy the newsletter.

Check it out here