Author Chris Guillebeau joined Ian Punnett for a discussion on how people can lead extraordinary lives and realize their greatest dreams by breaking free of conformity and fear. Guillebeau said he left his own conventional life, as a FedEx shift worker, shortly after 9/11 to pursue world travel, charity work, and entrepreneurship. Thus far he has visited 150 countries, spent four years as a medical charity volunteer in West Africa, and established a successful writing career. Guillebeau invited listeners to think about what they really want from life and provided some helpful steps to attaining it.
"The most important thing is to do what you do intentionally," Guillebeau noted, pointing out that it is not necessary to live the way everyone else does. To begin creating one's own road, Guillebeau recommended listeners examine why they do what they do, figure out what excites them, and what steps will move them closer to their goals. He suggested writing out an ideal day in as much detail as possible, plotting a 5-year plan, and giving oneself permission to fail.
Guillebeau spoke about the importance of determining what values are most important, as well as how to be remarkable by striving for the next level, loving work, questioning rules, and taking responsibility. He also shared examples of people who have successfully left their traditional lives for something more, and, despite the tough economic times, encouraged people to look for the opportunities around them and to the future. "The best jobs in 2015 don't exist yet because now they are being created," Guillebeau added.