One of the most valuable things I’ve learned so far is to surround yourself, physically and virtually (phone, e-mail, video chat, etc.) with like minded people. It’s worth its weight in gold when trying to achieve a goal. I’m talking about “lifestyle design” here, but it can be applied to any passion. It’s something that usually happens naturally but can be easily overlooked. I’m voting it one of the best uses of your time and here’s why.

We aren’t all extroverted or think to call every product, service and blog owner out there, so I’m urging those who wouldn’t do so of their own accord to try it. The support, new ideas, encouragement and vast amount of knowledge to be tapped is too great to ignore. Most people love to give back. I thought it ripe to mention now as I’m soaking up extreme value from new found friends in the next stages of this project (cutting out non productive tasks, outsourcing and passive income product development). Tim Ferriss in his book The 4 Hour Work Week continually drives home the point to go ask people who are doing what you want to do, how they do it, it’s one of the best ways to learn. I decided to try it; here’s what happened.

Meet some Players.

I took to heart Tim’s book challenge of contacting a celebrity for experience and a potential resource. I set my sights on Tim himself. Along the way I decided to ask these other lifestyle designers what “lifestyle design” means to them as a way of meeting them and learning more about unconventional/entrepreneurial living. I had no clue what would follow by trying to contact people with established brands and thousands of readers but I’m glad I did.

Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Non-conformity – “To me it means doing what I want while making a lasting difference in the world. Purposeful living.”

Chris has helped me shape what a product launch looks like through personal e-mails and blogs.

David Walsh of Muselife – “Lifestyle design is a trendy way to do something absurdly obvious: ruthlessly own your time and live a life pursuing solely the experiences that engage your mind and make your heart race. Lifestyle design is not it’s own pursuit, and it means something different to each person. You need passion to make your life worth designing. In two words, with entrepreneur encoded in my DNA, lifestyle design just an outcome of dangerous ambition.”

David and I have actually met in person and are collaborating on two different products of his, one that’s become an invaluable source for setting your business up for outsourcing. Source Control. David’s challenged me to really cause an income generating product to happen, and it’s going to be soon.

I asked Cody and Corbett what was the catalyzing product/idea/venture that sparked them to design their life.

Cody McKibben of Thrilling Heroics – “And what really sparked my “success” or ability to have the live-anywhere lifestyle was actually the realization that I didn’t need thousands of dollars per month to live the way I truly wanted to! It was realizing that I don’t have to play the game like most people do”

Cody and I have shared several e-mails and are currently working on putting together a team of like minded productivity and business guru’s to share each others thoughts, skills, and products.

Corbett Barr of Free Pursuits – “I took a 6 month sabbatical from work and it changed my life” Read about it here.

Corbett has been a great encouragement, and pseudo coach. I’ve developed my spanish speaking skills through his new service which falls in line with my dream goals posted a few months back. We’ve also shared web design tips.

There are many more and I’m greatful to them, Nate, J.D., Greg, John, Jun…I’ve had conversations with amazing people. They’ve all contributed to the books I’m reading, the ideas I’m researching and the freedom I’m already living. My gratitude goes out to them. Whether you’re creating a product, breaking free from materialism America, or looking to become more effective at collating, go get in front of the best on the planet, it will pay off.

Get in the Game.

The advice received as I mentioned is often invaluable. I don’t think I’d be as resolved as I am or amped about my future if I had not made the connections I did. At first It just started out as some late night e-mails titled “a slim chance”.

They quickly turned into business conversations, recommended resources and stories to be shared. The relationships are fuel. The vision of creating sources of passive income and living out dreams is not something you can just hustle through. There are ways to get on the speed walking straight escalator things you see at airports, but you still have to get in the game, understand what’s going on and play smart. There’s no churning out affiliate linked, blog for SEO, junk product dribble in life design, this is a quality endeavor dangit! Take the time to meet people and be in the game, it will champion long term results and the freedom you can scale and multiply as you master your time, income, and life.

How can you Meet someone successful in your field?

It goes a long way to simply reach out. Most people, even of high importance, will give you the time of day if you earnestly express interest in their work, their skill, and exemplify a passion for doing something complimentary. Often times, a phone call at the right time with a prepared question will get you through.

Why?

You may not think it, but just hearing from an expert in a field you’re passionate about does all sorts of things to your world. It lights you up to pursue your passion. It provides conversation that may guide you to what was successful for them and how you can imitate it in your current state. The process also shakes you up, creates a serious mindset for your ideas (creating a “am I really doing this?” moment). Lastly it creates community, a conversation, a shared interest and exchange in ideas. Growth often comes from relationship. It’s similar to meeting with a mentor, trainer, or teacher.

How.

Here are a few key tips if you’re looking to reach someone you thought you couldn’t otherwise. As you can surmise, it’s about timing, tact, and pointedness. Sometimes though, it’s just about saying hello.

• Call big shots before 8:30am or after 5:30pm to avoid secretaries and executive assistants.
• Call or e-mail admiring their work, and positioning to only take a few minutes of time with a couple small questions.
• Be resilient but give space if rejected (this worked for me in contacting Tim Ferriss)
• Be ready with a question or two in mind you think you could learn from.
• Be ready to ask permission for everything. (may I ask you a question, if it’s alright, could we e-mail later?)

Follow your passion, meet some players, get in the game.

picture courtesy Storm Crypt