Assessing the Adventure so Far
Published October 18, 2010 | 
The notion of “Denise’s Excellent Adventure” was “launched” about five months 
ago. How are things going so far?
I can best sum it up by saying it takes a lot to make big life changes – especially when you already have a lot invested in who and what you are. Yes, I’d love to jet off to Italy or Patagonia for a month but it’ll be awhile yet before that happens. I’m looking for ways to live an excellent adventure right where I’m at until I’m ready to go to exciting places. Of course many people think I live in one of the most exciting places on earth – Las Vegas.
The original notion of the excellent adventure was to seek out and immerse myself in new cultures and to write. Writing has always been my passion – since I was a girl and all the way through Journalism and Advertising school in college to ad copywriting, articles, media releases, business proposals and website copy.
Are You Kickin’ it? Or Winding Down?
Published August 31, 2010 | This weekend I read a blog post by a woman who said she’s 
enjoyed wonderful travels over her lifetime to amazing, exotic places. However age has taken it’s toll. She wrote chances are her travels are pretty much over. She described creaky joints and how walking up curbs is like climbing mountains. Money’s tight, too. She said she’s 54.
I was stunned. Only 54? Are you kidding me?
As I’m typing this I got a hip joint that’s achy. I need to lose weight. (My weight’s always fluctuated – more ups than downs.) I have a slow metabolism that’s getting slower. My health is reasonably good – but I’m not likely to climb Katmandu any time soon.
Your Business Model and Your Excellent Adventure
Published August 13, 2010 | Enjoying an excellent adventure that involves 
extended travel will probably include finding ways to create cash flow on the road. Since you don’t want to work 40+ hours a week as you travel, it’s crucial to find ways to create more income in less hours.
One great thing about my life is for 18 years I’ve found ways to make money doing what I’m passionate about. Y’know, the “Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow” idea from Marsha Sinetar’s book.
Fine, but at age 52 I’m aware I never stop DOing. I’m ready to be a human BEing rather than a human DOing. Ready to DO different things.
The State of Travel and the America Dream
Published August 7, 2010 | 
When was the last time you took a month-long vacation?
You may be scratching your head saying, “NEVER.” That’s a typical holiday in other highly-developed nations like Europe.
If you think the issue is just our current economic woes, it’s not. Twenty years ago, a two week vacation for Americans was average. In the last decade we squeezed down to mini-vacations. Long weekends became the trend.
Lately, we’ve ushered in even shorter vacations – the staycation. No travel, just spend a night or two at a local hotel to kick back for 24 to 48 hours before jumping back into the fray. Oh, and bring your laptop and your cell phone along.
Posted in Adjusting to Change, Excellent Adventure | 
adventure, American Dream, cultural shift, Economic Buzz, travel, trends, vacation | 
1 CommentExcellent Adventure Get-together was Informative
Published August 2, 2010 | The positive energy, laughter, spirit of fun and adventure 
was alive Monday afternoon at a Starbucks in Las Vegas. I believe today’s get-together was the most amazing ever. People were happy to be there, happy to share and really take their dreams and adventures seriously. I had a blast.
It was the largest get-together so far. In fact, six of the people in attendance were there for the first time. We’re almost getting too big for Starbucks – I think we used all but two chairs.
In the morning I got a call from a friend who said, “Uh, Denise, there might be an issue with this Starbucks.”
What am I Doing Lately? (Part Two)
Published July 30, 2010 | (This is part two of a two part article.)
I found a travel site where a guy does videos of the places where he stays. It appears he gets his hotel room free in exchange. 
You can buy a flight or book a hotel room through his site – like Expedia or Orbitz. He also sells ads. He’s got a big following. He posts the video of the hotel and writes a review. So, why couldn’t I do that, too?
Oh, I can’t approach anyone until the “remodel” on my blog is complete which will take another two weeks. I can’t really send professional business people I want to have a business relationship with to a blog that doesn’t look so great. Yet. The content is fine – but it’s got a ways to go visually. Thank goodness for Kim’s help.
Plus, I think it’d be a good idea to do videos of a local restaurant and hotel before so they can look at something as an example. Gotta get that video FlipCam when the check arrives.
It’s a case of which came first? The chicken or the egg? I’m getting impatient. *smile*
Once the makeover is complete, I need to find one or two hotels I can contact and propose my idea to. I have an idea for which hotels – we’ll see. Um, first it means coming up with a proposal. I don’t have a big following here yet (please RSS subcribe). I do have 2,800 friends on Facebook now, and 1,800 followers on Twitter.
Note to self: start using Twitter more often. I’ve been using Facebook much more consistently.
Once I know what I’ll propose, I have to find the right person to contact there. I thought I’d also approach a couple restaurants and do the same thing. I’ll do a video and written restaurant review. Okay, it’s not cash – but it’s the equivalent.
While all this is happening, every time I post here I need to post to all my Facebook groups and let ‘em know I’m here. I also need to become known on all these blogs, find more of ‘em, keep commenting and keep driving traffic here.
I don’t necessarily have to do this before the first trip. I need to write 5-6 articles I can upload on article directory sites to promote the blog.
Truth is, I’m just getting warmed up. Geez, makes me tired just writing it all out.
You thought all I’m doing is sitting around until I take a vacation. Puh-leez! Am I out of my mind? Maybe there’s a better way. I’m open to suggestions.
I promised I’d share with you every step of what it takes to put together my excellent adventure. I’m honoring that promise.
Posted in Empower U, Excellent Adventure, Travel Adventures | adventure, blog, facebook, makeover, planning, travel | Leave a commentWhat am I Doing? All Appears Calm and Unruffled – Actually I’m Paddling Like Hell
Published July 28, 2010 | (Part One of a two part post)
To some of you watching this blog you might think, “Gee, it doesn’t seem like Denise is doing much with this excellent adventure thing.
Truth is I’m like a duck. Everything appears calm and unruffled 
on the surface – but underneath – I’m paddling like hell.
What have I been doing since starting this adventure in lifestyle design? The only trip I’ve taken so far was a weekend visit to SoCal to see the grandkids. Not exactly adventurous. But travel is only part of creating an excellent adventure.I’ve been discovering, scheming, learning, strategizing, making mistakes, brainstorming, talking and building. I’ve been working at getting my ducks in a row to create cash flow – or, it’s equivalent (I’ll explain later) while traveling.
So, I’m considering taking a three or four day trip to San Diego. Here’s what needs to happen before I can pack and make the trip – if I’m doing it as part of my excellent adventure.
First, I need to get a Video FlipCam – but I’m waiting for a check to arrive in the mail first. It should come this weekend or maybe beginning of next week. Then, I need to learn how to use a FlipCam. I have a friend who just bought one – so that shouldn’t be difficult
Second, Ernie had a job interview last weekend and he’s supposed to find out Wednesday (7/28) if he has a job or temporary assignment. If he has a temporary assignment for a couple weeks, no big deal – I can work around him. If he has a permanent job I might choose a girlfriend to go on this first adventure with. I’d rather have my husband by my side. But hey – you gotta do what you gotta do.
My intention is to visit San Diego. The weather’s 30-35 degrees cooler than here in Las Vegas. I lived there ten years and our first date was to Seaport Village. I’d love to return. I’d hate to come without Ernie – but if he’s stuck working – I might.
That’s just the beginning….
The third part of this little adventure involves creating cash flow. I’ve been working hard building up fans on my Facebook fan page.* Tuesday, I spent most of the afternoon making a spreadsheet of active blogs around the idea of long term travel as a lifestyle and what is called “lifestyle design.” Yesterday I spent the entire evening looking for appropriate ways to comment on said blogs. They’re not really my “ideal customers” as many are by 20-somethings just out of college, married, no mortgage, no spouse. It’s perfect for them. For me, it involves more “arranging.” You too?
I also want to put together a list of blogs that have to do with empowering women. I make comments with the idea of bringing traffic to my blog. However, it’ll probably be awhile before I have enough traffic here to attract any paying advertisers. I don’t want to wait till next year before taking some kind of excellent adventure trip – even if it’s just for two or three days.
What to do?
* To visit my Facebook Fan Page click here now.
Posted in Excellent Adventure, Marketing Adventures, Travel Adventures | adventure, cash flow, facebook, planning, San Diego, travel, trip | 2 CommentsNew Life? Or, a Bigger American Dream?
Published July 23, 2010 | Do you want a new life? Or, a bigger, more upscale American Dream?
I used to work with mega-bestselling author Robert Allen. He’s the original “Nothing Down” real estate investing guru. When people paid thousands to join his “Enlightened Wealth” program and learn about marketing they got me. The objective of the program was teaching people to create residual income.
Back in the day, I attended many Robert Allen seminars. People excited to break through and create wealth showed up. Some even succeeded.
Over the years I asked attendees what they wanted to create. Many had great ideas for charitable organizations to help others they wanted to develop. That was the enlightened part.
Everyone wanted to enjoy their own version of wealth first. They wanted: 
• The big, dream house
• Private school for the kids
• Gorgeous cars.
• Luxury resort vacations
• Designer clothes and jewelry
Most wanted a bigger, more luxurious version of The American Dream. Which is okay, but not an excellent adventure in my book.
Few wanted to change their day-to-day existence. Creating wealth requires shifting brain grooves, getting out of your comfort zone and taking certain action steps.
Building an excellent adventure is about shifting life grooves. Shifting life grooves is about taking action and re-designing your lifestyle. Maybe you get up at the same time of day. You still eat three meals a day (loosely!) and work in time for exercise. You’re still married to the same person (or not!) and have the same kids. However, you may not live in the same house, or, a house at all.
You could be like Mark, I wrote about him earlier this week, and wander around in an RV for awhile. You might:
• Live in an apartment in Athens for a few months
• Take lessons and learn to speak Greek
• Set up an import/export website selling local items
• Come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas
• Live in a beach condo with wifi in Costa Rica after the holidays
• Keep your import/export business growing online
• Discover the wonders of cooking Costa Rican cuisine
The American Dream doesn’t usually allow these choices. Because, “the dream” for most people means you’re paying so much for the house, cars and everything that goes with it – your flexibility to shift life grooves is hampered.
The possibilities are endless. Open your mind and your heart to the idea your life can truly look however you want. Now, you’re getting the hang of living your life as an excellent adventure.
Mark is on the Road to Re-designing his Life
Published July 21, 2010 | Every morning we wake up and get a fresh new start to make our lives into whatever we want.
However, the longer we’ve been doing a career, a business, parenting, caregiving or any other activity that fills up our days, weeks, months and years – the deeper our “brain grooves” become. The deeper our “life grooves” become, too. We make commitments to others. We take on mortgages, children, business partners and more. We dig ourselves in. It’s more difficult to make a big life change. As we pass ages 40 and 50 it can seem almost impossible to re-design our lives.
Meet my buddy, Mark Michael. He’s 50 and has attended all four Excellent Adventure
meetings I’ve conducted. At the first meeting what he wanted to do was vague, to say the least. It was about marketing seminars and the whole thing was filled with twists and turns. Plus it was an industry he had no experience in. As a marketing mentor I said, “Geez, you like a challenge don’t you? This is a difficult business model and nothing built in for repeat business.”
If someone fights for their dream and their passion I’ll back off and say, “If its REALLY what you want – let’s make some shifts to make it happen.” Mark didn’t fight.
At the next Excellent Adventure meeting he had a huge picture book under one arm. Not just a coffee table book – this book could be an entire coffee table. It was filled gorgeous pictures of the US National Parks. From the primeval forests of Washington to the sandy Florida Keys. I knew he had something great in the works.
Mark said, “I’ve been thinking. I want to take an RV and travel to every National Park. It’s always seemed like an impossible dream. THAT would be my excellent adventure.”
I said, “That’s great. Don’t be attached to it having to look a certain way. Be open to creative ways to manifest what you want.” Mark agreed and every day started looking at his book with the beautiful photographs. He started talking with people, too.
Yesterday Mark came to my get-together at Starbucks. He was brimming with excitement. When it was his turn to speak, he said he’d met someone with an RV who wants to do the same thing but is looking for a traveling companion. He still needs to work out some financial things – but it seems like he’s getting his ducks in a row quickly. Kudos to you, Mark! You are making it happen.
Pack Everything for Your Adventure in One Bag (video)
Published July 15, 2010 | I used to pack heavy. I took lots of business trips to fancy-schmancy resort hotels. I was working 12-14 hour days and rarely got out of the hotel. I knew I was seen by a lot of people at these big seminars, especially the days I was speaking on the platform. So, I would bring a totally different outfit – from earrings to shoes for each day. Everything I’m reading lately says the best system is to travel carry-on style and pack everything in one small wheelie bag.
Do you agree? In “The 4-hour Work Week” author Timothy Ferriss says traveling with a full set of luggage around the world is hell on earth. Last year, Ernie and I took a Royal Caribbean cruise and one woman I met made the entire trip with a carry-on bag. That takes courage on a cruise where you’re supposed to be dolled up for dinner every evening. Ferriss says his system is to travel with one carry-on bag and suggests you have a small budget to buy more stuff when you arrive at your destination. Besides, bottles of lotion and conditioner always have a way of exploding while in flight anyway.
Below is a video all about how to pack uber light. For me, this would be a big change. A change Ernie would probably appreciate. This is about how much I pack when we go out of town for two nights to visit our grandkids in California. I can’t imagine packing like this for a few weeks. What’s your experience of “traveling light” or “traveling heavy?”
Packing Light for Your Excellent Adventure
I recently heard the airlines are going to start charging even for carry on luggage. Anyone hear anything about that?
Posted in Excellent Adventure, Travel Adventures | adventure, system, travel, video | Leave a commentThe Paradox of Learning
Published July 8, 2010 | I walked out of the airport and was in Istanbul. A teeming city of 12.8 million people that straddles two continents, both Europe and Asia. The air sparkled from a recent rain and green leaves fluttered on the trees as cars whooshed by. Quickly, I hopped in a cab. Traffic signals and lanes mean nothing in Turkey. It was a death-defying ride to the hotel.
Turkey was an awakening. I didn’t know much about the country and the people. I loved everything about it.
The people were gracious, gentle and kind. The architecture and history was amazing. The food was, well, in a word, “yum.” The Grand Bazaar was an amazing day of sights, sounds and shopping. What’s not to love?
Didn’t research much beforehand. I was too busy with business. I knew what the weather would be like. I knew a few hotspots I wanted to visit. I knew it’s a more moderate country from its conservative neighbors. That was about it.
I mentioned in my last post sometimes as women we have a tendency to hesitate and over-analyze. We hold off from taking action and getting out of our comfort zone because we’re unsure if it’s the right thing to do. We take forever making decisions. Visiting Turkey was the perfect thing for me to do. The thing you’ve been hesitating about, your excellent adventure, is probably the right thing for you, too.
But doubts linger. So we hold back from something we really want to do. You may have no interest in visiting Turkey. Your excellent adventure may be something totally different
A few years ago I discovered something called, “The Paradox of Learning.” It speaks to how we can get overly caught up in analyzing, researching and not doing.
Let’s say you decide you want to do something to change your life – start a network marketing business, travel to Istanbul or play tennis in a tournament. You know almost nothing. Let’s say everything you know about it is the size of a grape. Everything you don’t know about playing tennis is touching the outside of that grape.
So, you decide to learn more about playing tennis – or whatever. You watch a couple tennis matches on TV. Now everything you know about tennis is the size of a lime. Which means everything you don’t know is touching the outside of that lime.
You decide to learn more. You buy a couple books about tennis. Everything you know about tennis is now about the size of an orange – but everything you don’t know? It’s grown, too.
You research online about tennis. You spend endless hours hunched over your keyboard. Everything you know about tennis is about the size of a cantaloupe. But what’s happened to what you don’t know? It keeps growing.
So when do you know that you know enough?
Answer: when you know that you don’t know everything – but you’re willing to get out of your comfort zone, take a risk and get started. That’s when you know enough.
Posted in Adjusting to Change, Excellent Adventure, Personal Growth, Travel Adventures | adventure, change, comfort zone, doubt, fear, travel | 6 CommentsWelcome!
Dedicated to every 40+ person still kickin' it. If you have dreams and adventures you refuse to abandon - follow me on the journey. Life is one big adventure! Make yours excellent.
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