A Lesson in “Living The Dream”
I’ve been living in Bali for the past 18 months (with a few trips back to Australia thrown in) and in that time I’ve started to notice a few themes emerging when it comes to the digital nomads and tourists who spend extended time here.
Everyone wants a piece of the “I live in Bali” dream.
Everyone thinks the grass is going to be so much greener.
Everyone assumes that once they move here, their life will magically fall into place.
And the truth couldn't be more opposite of this.
In my time here, I’ve seen a LOT of people come and go; living here is not for the faint-hearted, obviously there’s a few things like cultural differences and language barrier but also the unexpected stuff like;
The target on your back for being a “bule” (essentially as a white person, you’re a walking ATM to the locals);
The games to extort you (this is the name of the play here….it’s not about rules, it’s about how many $$ you’re willing to part with to get what you want) and;
The whole new way of living and being.
You have to be ready and willing to throw yourself into it and learn to adapt quickly and live with it otherwise you cannot and will not survive. It’s why so many don’t last here.
In the first 12 months I was here, I spent 5 times the amount of money I had expected and planned for. I was being extorted left, right and centre - and I didn't even know it!
Business Lessons from Bali
The Parallels
Life in Bali is a lot like business. You start out on the journey, excited and a little naive and then realise a few years down the road, well f*ck, I got royally rammed here… and here… oh and now I think about it, they f*cked me here as well - damn!!
For me, it’s been a steep learning curve and a real eye-opener but I sat with the discomfort, did the work and now I’m applying everything I’ve learned. It's all slowly starting to pay off.
The waiting game
A lot of people don’t allow themselves to work through that uncomfortable 'teething' phase (both in Bali and in business) and end up packing up and going home or back to a ‘real job’.
It’s about persistence, courage and giving things time. That last one is an art form all on its own. To succeed you have to keep moving so as not to become stagnant or irrelevant in the market but you also have to respect the cycles of life and business and know that when you put in the hard yards, it will eventually pay off.
It’s like that meme about the guy digging for diamonds…
Of course you also have to understand and honour when something simply is not for you.
Beware shiny exteriors
Not everything is as it seems when it comes to business and people’s personal finances. It’s important not to get swept up in flashy facades and get FOMO. You never know if what you’re perceiving as someone’s success is down to an extraordinary amount of debt or the boring realities of hard work, sacrifice and perseverance.
In other words, the most successful ventures can be happening quietly behind the scenes, devoid of any extravagant displays. On the other hand, what may appear shiny and bright on the surface isn't always a true reflection of success.
The key lies in discerning the difference, understanding that the growth journey might not be linear or immediately apparent but when it’s been built on rock solid foundations, you’re more likely to find the diamonds.
It’s not about the money
You do NOT have to make a ton of money to get ahead. Rather, it’s what you DO with your money that makes all the difference (remember I built my multi million dollar portfolio on $18k per year…).
There is still time to turn any sinking ship around. Trust me when I say that because I’ve rebuilt my boat many times!
You are not “too late” to anything.
Changing your habits and shifting your goals to attain your wildest dreams is 100% achievable. As long as you know and understand that time and patience are KEY to building anything - a fit body, a dream home, a healthy investment portfolio.
The rest will fall right into place.
Coco xo
