A recent story came across my browser too inspiring, too real, too unforgetable to let it pass by. I’m talking about the story of Thomas Backlund. He’s a full time entrepreneur, full time code monkey, and full time homeless individual living in a tent.
See what I mean? It’s all too intriguing.
Thomas’ words are being brought to you by way of Mashable’s article by way of a listserve. This is the type of content that has to rise to the top by sheer virtue of it’s wild and wondrous quality.
If you’ve ever sat back and thought that you’ve done everything possible in order to succeed but yet found yourself falling short, read this. You may find yourself longing to slay dragons, and fit all that you own into a backpack.
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I recently quit my job and my apartment to live in the forest in a tent.
Actually, tonight, I’m in a wind shelter by a still and beautiful lake, and in front of me there is a small fire; the sun is setting.
And on my lap, my laptop.
I’m a developer. I moved to a tent in the forest to be able to code on my startup project full time.
Not only does that give me the time to do this but it also gives me peace of mind.
I change my location about two times per week.
Computer, forest, batteries… unpractical? Maybe it would have been more rational to keep the apartment and just cut costs?
Well, rational and right do not always align.
I have no apartment, no job, no income. Still I’m exactly where I should be.
I’m on my path. My gut feeling lets me know that.
I’m not exiting to a normal life until my startup has taken off.
This is my big adventure.
I’m not coming back empty-handed.
How do I do this?
I power my laptop, phone and external battery with two portable Brunton 62 Watt solar panels.
I cook nice food on my Primus OmniLite stove.
I live in a comfortable Hilleberg tent.
I carry all 35 kilograms in a Norrona Recon back pack.
There’s my life: 35 kilograms. It should not take more to slay the dragon, win the kingdom and divorce the princess.
Well, I do also have a car. C’mon, a dragon-slayer without a horse?
If you are in the startup business, you know that raising capital is not easy.
I speak to some seeders. They love my idea. I mean everyone I speak to loves it.
But the seeders say it’s too early to invest in without having actually seen the product.
Maybe they’re right. Hard for me to decide. I’m a bit biased.
I can’t really tell you what I’m doing, but yesterday I read this in an article by Adam Wiggins:
“Software is eating the world. Everyone can and should be able to write software in order to have a stake in the future.”
This is exactly what I’m doing. Bringing software development to the masses.
Quitting my apartment and my job at the same time was really hard to do.
I had elevated adrenalin levels for days.
To sooth the waves of anxiety that swept over me regularly, I had one picture that I kept looking at.
It was a picture of the beautiful forest which I was to move to.
That gave me strength to take the steps necessary to get on the trail.
I really hope you’re on your path or taking calculated steps to get there. However big or small it may be.
Some kisses and some hugs and remember to stay true. But you already knew that.
Images courtesy of Thomas Backlund
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Timely…leaving BC, Canada for extended trip to Latin America soon. Could use one of these!