do what you love Page 6 of 61

Are you a ‘kindrovert’ too?

Posted on 2017-03-24 at 8:24 am.

I am curious, are you an extrovert or an introvert? If you think you are neither, perhaps you are a ‘kindrovert’. I am.

I used to think I was an extrovert. I like people, and I loved performing on stage when I was young. Parties were fun and I’d happily talk to strangers. But then I got older and wasn’t so keen to be caught up in crowds. I had no desire to be the centre of attention, and I found large gatherings quite draining. As I paid more attention to my stress triggers, I realized I needed quiet time more and more. I clearly wasn’t an extrovert after all.

Then it became trendy to come out as an introvert, so I tried that label on for a while, but it didn’t fit either. I needed time and space away from the noise to recover, but my ideas would come to life in conversation.

So I looked for an alternative and I discovered that there is a middle way called an ‘ambivert’: a bit of extrovert, a bit of introvert, not really sure about either. From the moment I heard the word I didn’t want to be one. It sounded like some kind of cleaning product and felt like a manufactured option to describe the space on the spectrum between extrovert and introvert. It didn’t work for me.

I thought about when I am at my most energized and creative, fizzing with potential, and realized I come alive in small gatherings of kindred spirits: people who are both practical and spiritual, challenging and yielding, gentle and strong. People who are smart and funny, but not ‘in your face’. People who listen and share, but don’t try too hard. People who’d rather say nothing than talk about nothing, but come alive in real conversation. And I know I’m not alone.

So I invented a new label for myself: I’m a ‘kindrovert’, and I suspect you might be one too. Find out more about what it means to be a kindrovert, and what difference it makes when you know you are one, in this short video:

I’d love to know if you are a kindrovert too – let me know on social media using #kindrovert.

Why this book might just change your life

Posted on 2017-03-14 at 8:14 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

I can hardly believe it’s nearly time to release Freedom Seeker into the world. I cannot wait to share her with you. I have made a series of ‘Inside the book’ videos and wanted to share the first with you today:

If you think Freedom Seeker is for you, please pre-order it so you can access our free bonus alongside the book (a brand new online course called ‘How to be happy (+ calm, focused + organized) which will run for four weeks from May.

In it I’ll be sharing:

Insight into how I organize my super busy life to get so much done, including writing a book in six months whilst running a business and raising two children
How to stay calm when everything around you is going crazy (most of the time, right?)
How to organise your email (including the one action that literally changed my life)
My specific strategies for getting stuff done Downloadable done-for-you templates for creating the most effective to-do lists around, and a host of other downloadable goodies to help you get on top of everything
Loads of life hacks, including tips for decluttering, handy apps, my favourite stationery and more

Plus you get access to a private Freedom Seeker Facebook group where I’ll be offering direct support as well as regular Facebook Live sessions.

If you think you’re likely to buy the book you might as well get this lovely bonus for free! Get yours here.

Fly free my friend, fly free…

Beth

I wrote a book for you. And it’s about to be published. Can I tell you about it?

Posted on 2017-02-13 at 7:52 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

I have never been as nervous about writing a post for you as I am today. Why? Because after seven years of helping creative people like you share their souls with the world, it’s now my turn.

I wrote a book, and it’s ready.

It’s called ‘Freedom Seeker: Live more. Worry less. Do what you love.’

And it might just change your life.

How do I know? Because it has completely changed mine.

You see, it’s not just any book. It’s a book about one of the most important quests we can ever undertake – the quest to feel free.

The only way I could write this book was to live it – to recognize that somewhere along the line I had gone wrong, and I had built a life that was actually trapping me.

That’s kind of hard to admit when your company is called ‘Do What You Love’, but like so many of us I got lost in the everyday busy-ness, the overwhelming workload, the many competing demands for my time and attention, and I completely lost any sense of who I really was.

I had to find a way to escape the cage I had built, and learn how to fly again. In doing so I realised that feeling free is the Holy Grail.

Freedom Seeker is an invitation to seek freedom in every corner of your life.

It’s about living more, worrying less and finding a way to do what you love every day.

It sounds simple, and in some ways it is, but when you are trapped in a cage with broken wings, freedom can seem like a far away deeply buried treasure. I know, because I’ve been there.

My personal story isn’t a dramatic one of hitting rock bottom. That’s not how it happened. Mine is one of a slow ebbing of joy from my days, of stemming that flow and finding myself again, the present-day version of me, in love with the life I’ve got.

In Freedom Seeker I also share the stories of people whose cage doors have been slammed in their faces, the darkness pushing them right to the edge, before they had no choice but escape. Theirs are high- velocity, adrenalin-pumping truths about how freedom seeking saved their lives.

Deep down we all know that freedom is a choice and a human right. Yet millions of us don’t feel that truth. We feel trapped by our circumstances, relationships, social pressures, financial status and education. Caged by our expectations of ourselves, and others’ expectations of us, and by our beliefs, doubts and fears.

We allow ourselves to be held back from living our fullest lives. Individually it is heartbreaking. Collectively it is a colossal waste of potential. Together we are going to change this. In finding the courage and confidence to escape our cages and shine, we will help others do the same.

It is with equal measures of trepidation and pleasure that I can say those words you never really think you’ll hear yourself say:
“My book, Freedom Seeker, is available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones and from all good bookstores!”

I have lived every page of this book. In the writing of it I have danced and tumbled, laughed and crumbled, cried, shrunk, grown, travelled thousands of miles, talked to strangers, looked deep inside myself and rediscovered my own stories. I have centred myself and fallen apart, many times over.

I have screamed at the noise and revelled in the silence. I have followed the sun, howled at the moon, and sent thanks to the stars. I have talked to hundreds of women and a good number of men who have shared stories I will never forget.

I hope I have gathered the best of it all, the most powerful lessons and inspiring tales to show that if I can do it, and they can do it, then you too can do it.

The writing of this book has made me feel more deeply connected, vital and alive than I have in years.

I hope in reading it, and in the living of it, you too find a way to inhale the magic and mystery and beauty of your own life, and finally feel truly free.
Please, buy Freedom Seeker and read it, because if it does for you what it has done for me, it will be the one of the best investments you ever make.

And if you have a friend who is feeling trapped, stuck, lost in the greyness, get a copy for them. It would be a precious gift indeed.

Let’s set out on this journey together…

With gratitude and much love

Beth

PS You can get some lovely bonuses if you pre-order Freedom Seeker before February 23. You can find out more here and claim yours right away. (And if you have already pre-ordered your copy, thank you! You can claim your bonuses by filling in the quick form here)

PPS Over the coming months I will be creating a host of opportunities for us to talk about freedom seeking, and share the journey – with Facebook Lives, events, features, podcasts and all sorts. But the first step is to read the book, then to apply the tools in your own life, and see how much more free you feel right away.

Save

Hear Beth Kempton reading the Prologue from her book Freedom Seeker

Posted on 2017-01-23 at 1:45 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today we want to share something very special with you – the Prologue to Do What You Love founder Beth Kempton’s book ‘Freedom Seeker: Live more. Worry less. Do what you love.’

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/317745144″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

You can order Freedom Seeker here!

Fly free my friend, fly free.

Save

Time for a new career? Time to do what you love

Posted on 2017-01-06 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Stuck in a job that isn’t you? Ready for a career change? Want to spend your days doing something you love – a job you feel passionately about and that makes a difference – rather than just something that just pays the bills?

Dropping your current job to pursue an entirely different career path takes courage, confidence and commitment, especially if it requires going back to basics, retraining or taking a pay cut. However when it comes to chasing your dreams, know that an open mind and a willingness to succeed, anything is possible. It could be the best move you ever make.

A recent study asked 500 Brits who’d recently changed careers to share their experiences – here are some of the main findings from the research.

Learning something new is fun

Of course, the main reason you’ll undertake training is to get on the next step of that ladder, but there’s no reason why shouldn’t enjoy the journey. In fact, while some research participants saw retraining as merely a necessity, many others found it fun, rewarding and the most interesting part of their experience.

After all, learning new skills, discovering different ways of working and preparing yourself for a new challenge is exciting. It may feel daunting at times, but according to one participant in the research, ‘if you come at it with the right attitude it works really well’. So try and be positive, go with the flow and stay open to new experiences – you’re sure to reap the benefits in the long run.

Make use of your current skill set

You may not realise it, but already have a whole range of skills from your previous jobs and many of these can be carried over to your new role – even those that you wouldn’t necessarily expect to be useful. Got experience working with people from a retail or social care position? These skills can easily be transferred to things like marketing roles, driving jobs or customer service. Survey respondents agreed that using previously learnt skills stood them in good stead, with one claiming it made retraining much ‘easier than expected’.

Overcome the challenges

While many participants shared positive experiences of changing careers, it didn’t come without its challenges – one of which was fitting re-training around other commitments. Retraining can require you to study in your spare time, so be prepared to be flexible. It’s a great ides to think through all your options and make a plan of action. Consider things like your current hours – could you change them so you’re more flexible? And childcare – how will you fit studying/training in around the kids and family life – could your partner share the load? Do you have family/friends who could help out short-term?

For a while you could find things are a little crazy, but your future happiness – and the impact that will have on everyone around you – is well worth the investment in terms of your time and energy as who knows where this new chapter in your life might take you. Plus you’ll be able to add multi-tasking to your skill set, too!

Perseverance is key

While the survey showed some people found retraining intensive, with one respondent describing it as ‘not for the faint-hearted’, for most the process was a fulfilling one. That’s why, even when things are tough and you’re juggling studies with normal life, it can help to stay focused on why you’re doing this. Make a list of all the reasons to remind yourself to stay positive. At times, it may be difficult, but perseverance is key – don’t give up.

So there you have it. Retraining for a new career takes time, energy and dedication but when you find yourself armed with tons of new skills, bursting with knowledge and fully qualified for a job you actually want to do, you’ll never look back. Go for it!

The research featured in this article was conducted by Red Driving School.

***

DISCOVER HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE DOING WHAT YOU LOVE

What is it you really want? The courage to start a new career? The time to pursue passions and hobbies? The freedom to travel and have big adventures? Or simply to “feel differently” about your life, just as it is? All of those wants — and so many others — stem from one big desire… The desire to do what you love.

And if that’s what you want, you’ve arrived in the best possible place you can be. This is your launchpad — and this is your community. And this online course might just change your life.

Do What You Love is an acclaimed course for people who want to spend more time doing what they love and less time doing what they don’t. Simple as that. It’s about finding freedom and building the life you really want. Inside this 5 week online course, our founder Beth Kempton will show you how to:

Do what you love, more often. Very often. In fact: daily.
Get paid to do what you love. (If that’s what you want — for some, it’s not. For many, it is!)
Make your life simpler and sweeter — not busier and more complicated.

Do What You Love is about re-opening doors that you thought were locked shut… re-opening possibilities that you thought were long gone… and illuminating possibilities you never knew existed.

A large part of doing what you love is about finding great work that you are passionate about, but that isn’t everything. In this course we explore every area of your life, to understand what is possible for you right now (in the context of your current responsibilities and situation), what could be possible for you in the future, and how to get from here to there.

We will make you look differently about how you spend your time and money, what company you keep, and where to find support if those closest to you don’t think the same way. You will see that you have a choice, in everything you do. The course will open your mind to new options, help you grow in confidence, and believe that it really is OK (and actually better for everyone) if you do what you love.

Your guide, Beth Kempton, will be with you every step of the way, and you will find immense support in the class community of other people just like you. You can ask questions in the class community space any time during the course, and seek advice and encouragement from your fellow adventurers.

If you find yourself thinking things like: “I can’t afford to _______” … or “I’m too old to _______” … or “I’m going to need years of training before I can _______” … or “It’s just not realistic for me to _______”… or “But what if ______”, Do What You Love will show you that all of your options are still open, no matter what your current circumstances and responsibilities may be. Inside this course possibility is your new reality.

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? THE NEXT COURSE STARTS ON JANUARY 16 AND YOUI CAN REGISTER HERE NOW!

Could it be magic? 6 ways to bring back the Christmas sparkle this year

Posted on 2016-12-23 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Image credit: Heatons

This post is written by our Senior Editor, Rachel Kempton.

Do you remember how wonderful Christmas felt when you were a child? I don’t know about you but come December, there was always a special kind of magic in the air: a feeling of wonder and anticipation. Every year I couldn’t wait for the Christmas decorations to come out of hibernation, to count down the days on my advent calendar and to play my (never-so-leading role!) in the nativity play. At school we’d gather unwanted gifts to give to patients at local hospitals and I’d go round nursing homes with my friends and sing Christmas carols to the old folks. Christmas was about giving, as well as enjoying precious time with family, laughing, playing games, eating far too much – and of course the joy of opening the goodies Santa had left in ours sacks and stockings.

As we get older, and the pressures of daily life take over, it’s not surprising that Christmas can lose its sparkle, especially if we find ourselves overwhelmed by to-do lists, exhausted by social obligations, and swept up in the commercial side of things. In fact according to the results of a survey*, Christmas is up there with divorce, moving house and changing jobs as the sixth most stressful life event. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Here are our top tips for ensuring Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year!

1. Embrace the spirit of giving

Spread some love and joy by focusing on what you’re grateful for, and what you can give. If you look around, there are kindness opportunities every day and in any situation – writing a card, helping out a friend or carrying someone’s groceries. Here are some more great ideas for giving something back:

donate a toy for underprivileged children
take a bag of unwanted gifts or clothes to your local charity shop
spend an hour in your local hospital talking to someone who doesn’t get any visitors
help out a homeless shelter
organise a charity Christmas collection
volunteer your services at your local Christmas concert or Carol Service
invite a neighbour who’s alone to join you for Christmas dinner
start a “Pay-It-Forward” chain (for example by paying for a coffee for the person behind you in the queue at your local cafe) to spread some holiday cheer.

Need inspiration? Try out this ‘Acts of kindness generator’ created by Shari’s Berries. With over 50 ideas to inspire your next thoughtful gesture it’s sure to make you to feel all warm and fuzzy inside knowing you’re making somebody else’s Christmas all the more special.

2. Keep it cheap – or free!

Christmas doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact you don’t necessarily have to spend any money at all! The Do What You Love team love the idea of a ‘free’ Christmas, and last year we only gave gifts which were:

hand-made (like a scrapbook, a piece of furniture, or a wooden toy) although we were allowed to pay for materials/ingredients!
second hand (like a vintage typewriter or sewing machine which we no longer used, or books which were gathering dust on our bookshelves or which were so brilliant we just had to pass on)
items we had received and never used like a gift voucher, products that we got as part of a deal such as ‘buy one get one free’, or something we’d bought with a gift card we had previously received)
we were available to give freely ourselves thanks to our personal skills/talents/businesses (i.e. a free e-course course, a healing or beauty treatment, a tarot card reading, a business mentoring session, or gardening/babysitting/DIY services)
bought/acquired as a result of selling/trading online or at a car boot or mother and baby sale, for example.

Image credit: dotcomgiftshop

Gifting ‘free’ presents worked well because it felt good to really think about the person we were giving to and we also received some lovely thoughtful gifts ourselves too.

3. Bring back the traditions you loved

Remember those things you and your family did every Christmas without fail? Whether it was writing a letter to Santa, making snowflakes for the windows, baking gingerbread men, playing games after Christmas dinner, or leaving out a mince pie, carrot and glass of sherry on Christmas Eve… childhood traditions are precisely the things that make Christmas so special and unique. And it doesn’t matter if you don’t really have any traditions; it’s never too late to start new ones!

Need inspiration? Check out this article: 50 Christmas Traditions For Having Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (perfect for kids aged 1 to 92!)

4. Swap stress for love and gratitude

These days, whenever I start to feel anxious, overtired, or angry, that’s usually a trigger for me to slow down, take a breath and ask myself: “Am I thinking and acting out of fear and stress, or am I thinking and acting in a state of love and gratitude?” I challenge you to try it.

Need more inspiration, help and advice? Read this article on How to Choose Gratitude Over Stress This Holiday Season

5. Keep it fun and festive

If you want to fully experience the Christmas magic, you have to embrace the festivities (yep, I’m wearing my Christmas jumper and reindeer socks as I type!). Whether it’s filling your playlist with Christmas songs, watching some Christmas classics, organising Secret Santa at the office, or hosting an intimate gathering with friends and family, there are loads of ways that you can spread good cheer and ignite the festive spark in everyone around you too.

Image credit Kelly Hoppen

6. Do something different

As children, part of the reason why Christmas is so magical is because everything is new and exciting. We get swept up in the mystery of Christmas – the sights, the sounds, the smells and the atmosphere. Recapture that sense of wonder this year by visiting somewhere you have never been before or doing something you have never done. Depending on your budget you could head off to Lapland for the ultimate festive experience, visit a Christmas market in a location you have never visited before, try a festive activity such as ice skating, carol singing, going to a local panto, or baking Christmas treats. Trying something new and exciting this Christmas and we guarantee it will be one to remember.

Image credit: Next

* Results from a survey of over 3,000 people conducted by MemoriseThis.com – the UK’s largest on-line gift giving company.

Happy holidays!

3 things to do TODAY to make next year different

Posted on 2016-11-29 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

As we come to the end of the year, it’s only natural to reflect on what has gone before. Did 2016 turn out how you wanted? Did you get closer to your dreams? As the founder of a company called Do What You Love, I am often asked what is the single most important factor in doing what you love. And you know what? I think it’s commitment. Perhaps not the sexiest answer, but it’s the truth.

But what if I don’t know what I want to commit to? You might ask… I hear you. That’s a tough one, right? Well, actually, early on simply committing to stepping forward in the direction of your dreams, is as important as committing to one specific idea. Because those early steps are where the dreams are shaped.

So if your 2016 was frustrating, or depressing, or simply another year of not very much, seeing your friends have the things you want for yourself, then I invite you to join me in committing to making 2017 different. And here are three simple steps you can take to do that:

Commit to doing things differently
Download the (free) New Year’s Revolution toolkit here, and actually fill it in
Tell someone what you are planning. Choose them carefully, and then say it out loud

Are you with me?

Let’s do this!
Beth

Save

12 tips for escaping the career you don’t want into the one you do

Posted on 2016-11-15 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

This is a guest post by Ben Keene. You can find out more about Ben here.

At the Escape School this is the question we ask more than any other.

Here are a a dozen insights that have helped me over the years stick to work I want to be doing (almost) everyday. Let us know what else guides you.

1. Think in 3 Horizons — but only execute on 1st and 3rd.

Horizon 1: What are you doing now / this week / month to set you on the path you want to go on? Act. Do. Make something happen.

Horizon 2: What’s going to happen between now and the long-term? You don’t know. Things change. A lot. So, don’t waste time planning too much.

Horizon 3: Where do you want to be in 5 years? What values will underpin this lifestyle? Who will you be working with? Always keep this in mind.

Ben Keene - escape career

2. Write a letter to yourself from the future

It’s 2019. Write a letter to yourself saying what you’ve achieved over the last 5 years and how you’ve done it. This may sound stupid but it’s a great way to visualize where you want to go and what really matters. Exchange letters with a friend or mentor if it seems weird doing it by yourself.

Ben Keene - escape career 2 3. Less is More.

Simplify everything. This isn’t just about great UX. It can be about a lot of your life. This year I ‘pruned’ 15% of my life — clothes, kitchen cabinet tins, playlists, books, social network ‘friends’. This stuff works.

Ben Keene - escape career 3

4. Master the most important venn diagram in the world

Ben Keene - escape career 4

5. Write an Escape List and pin it on your wall (fridge. facebook. bathroom)

Make yourself accountable to a friend to do this.

Ben Keene Escape career 5

6. Don’t let being comfortable kill your ambition, because it will.

Ben Keene escape career 7

7. Bin the CV. Build a Story.

I might be wrong but I think CVs won’t be around forever. What matters when I meet someone is whether they’re doing something they really want to be doing and have gone out and built the skills and experience necessary to do that thing better. There are SO many good web tools for sharing your story, there’s no excuse.

8. Do one thing exceptionally well rather than everything just well.

Ben Keene escape career8

9. Always try and escape the ‘vicious circle of badness’ @davecorn

These are excuses. Try not to use them.

Ben Keene - escape career6

10. Use stimulants! Coffee for productivity. Beer for creativity. Water for life.

Ben Keene Escape

11. Read books that challenge you as well as blogs that distract you!

We agree with Zuck on this one. Sometimes you need to go deep to go far. That’s why we started Rebel Book Club.

Ben Keene escape career9

12. Above everything — surround yourself with people who are doing work they love.

Positive mindsets equal productive, happy lives. Simples.

Ben Keene escape 11

Save

Wednesday Wellbeing

Posted on 2016-11-09 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

“We rise by lifting others.” ~ Robert Ingersoll

Happy Wednesday!

Friday is fast approaching but if you’re feeling the midweek blues you’re in the right place to be inspired!

Last week we mentioned that for the next couple of weeks a member of the Do What You Love team will be sharing what they’re up to and what is motivating them at the moment. We hope their thoughts get you thinking about what lights you up and how you can make get more of this into your life.

Today Paul Kempton talks about doing something that makes a difference…

Here at DWYL we are always very conscious and determined that our content and courses are current and oozing with quality. Put simply they are as good as we can make them.

This month we opened the classroom for the tenth Do What You Love e-course. Although the course has been running for five years now the quality of the exercises and format continue to push our participants completely out of their comfort zones.

We are just entering Week 4 and already some very powerful issues have been addressed. A few of the topics discussed are below:

The importance of honesty. This might sound very obvious but we bury our greatest feelings deep, deep down because we are afraid, we don’t want to be ridiculed, we’re searching for acceptance, we fear other people’s judgments, etc…
The power of saying something out loud or putting it out there. This takes courage but it is only then we realise its importance.
Where can we find the courage and bravery required to make changes
The importance of communication.

When doing something so personal it is important to have a safe haven where you feel comfortable sharing your feelings and findings. Aside from your personal journal, this course in particular has a powerful and understanding community. The hundreds of people from across the globe who joined us this time round are an amazing group of people – who all want to spend more time doing what they love – and I have no doubt their strength in numbers will serve them very well in the weeks and months to come.

My thought of the week: It took me years of coasting through life, of lacking courage to make big changes, to find my true path. So our work here fills me with great pride ands joy. We are a small, friendly and dynamic team who juggle everything that life throws at us and are ultimately working harder than ever. Why? Because we truly believe the world will be a better place if more people are ‘Doing What They Love’. I cannot think of a better reason to wake up every morning.

What’s inspiring and motivating you this Wednesday? We’d love to know.

Save

Wednesday Wellbeing

Posted on 2016-11-02 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

“May the space between where I am and where I want to be inspire me.” ~ Tracee Ellis Ross

Yes… it’s that time of the week again – Happy Wednesday!

Friday is fast approaching but if you’re feeling the midweek blues you’re in the right place to be inspired!

Every Wednesday for the next few weeks, a member of the Do What You Love team will be sharing what they’re up to and what is motivating them at the moment. We hope their thoughts get you thinking about what lights you up and how you can make get more of this into your life…

Today founder Beth Kempton talks about making dreams happen…

I have just got back from the USA where I spoke at ‘I Am… Courage – New York City’. I shared the stage with five amazing women who lit up the room with their tales of brave and truthful living.

The six of us actually created that event from nothing – we met at a workshop several months before and decided we had a common message, which we wanted to spread widely. When the event was over, and we had been showered with incredible feedback from the audience, we went to dinner and just sat there looking at each other, grinning. In that moment we realised that we just made something awesome happen, simply by committing to it, setting a date, and then doing the work needed to pull it off. And then we all showed up and spoke honestly and openly, and it resonated deeply with those in attendance.

It taught me that we don’t need other people’s permission to do amazing things. We can make them happen ourselves, especially when we have the support of others like us, committed to a common goal.

My thought of the week: When you’re stuck in a mid-week slump, remind yourself that you have all the power you need to lift yourself out. You just need to commit, and then follow through. You are the owner of your dreams and you can make them real!