We’ve had pirate businesses, rebel businesses and ninja businesses and most recently zen businesses. Joely Black over at In These Heels? asked “what’s next?”
And my answer was Beatnik.
It was a facetious answer, but then I stopped and thought about it. Kerouc and company saw the Beat Generation as anti-materialistic and driven by self-awareness.
At first I wondered how anti-materialism and earning money could possibly go together. I mean, aren’t they polar opposites?
Then I realized, no, not at all.
As much as I want to earn a decent income from Someday Syndrome, I’m not driven to earn millions in the way people like Frank Kern or Jeff Walker are. My goal is to expand my own self-development and help others along the way while supporting myself (and my retirement) in the process.
My life is art-focused with my priorities being love, travel, adventures, and exploring as many different types of experiences as possible.
Even my wild big-home plans always include communal living, using space creatively to help out friends.
So, how do I make money as a Beatnik?
By living my life openly and teaching others by example. I want to show people how to cure their lives of Someday Syndrome and coach them through the necessary changes.
If I can earn whatever amount of money doing so (which I can then apply to giving more people the opportunity to reach a state of self-awareness) then that’s enough.
14 Responses to “Is your business beatnik? Mine is.”
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Love it! We shall start a new meme!
What a great perspective on life and business. If only everyone gave as much as you give, the world would indeed be a very rich place.
Alex, I love this beatnik business and I think it’s where I have always been too. One of the things that never resonated for me was “riches for riches sake.” I have, however, learned that pursuing profitability is not out of step with my values and vision. I don’t want to collect “stuff” but I do want to have access to resources to help others.
You left out the Tribal Business. It’s something laid out by Daniel Quinn in Beyond Civilization. Great read if you haven’t read it yet. The premise is that a business can be something that enables you and your co-workers to live the lives you want without being tied to a fixed income level…
At least that’s the 2 second version…
On a side note - love your site, I just stumbled here from the Good Human…
Jesse´s last blog post..Simplify your diet
Bit spooked by how we’re writing in synch just now Alex… I seem to be having a Kerouac moment too.
I also aim to run a beatnik business - or to have a beatnik live. I want enough income to live, and suport myself. I want to be proud of the legacy I’m leaving behind. I want to be able to spend days doing… not that much really, other than going on a boat, or letting my face get wet in the highland mist, or drinking too much red wine.
Teach us how to do this and you’ll be on to something!
Joanna Young´s last blog post..Audacious Faith in the Future
@Joely
So what shall we call this meme? What type of business do you have? And then get people to come up with a new word and explain why? Actually I kind of like that idea.
How do memes get started anyway?
@Andy
Fortunately there are others who give a lot more than me, so the world already is a rich place for many of us, no?
@Karen
Yes, I thought of you when writing this post, especially your Someday Interview a couple of weeks back.
@Jesse
Yes, I did - good example. Seth Godin talks about tribes a lot too. At least tribes are less violent than ninjas (as long as their not invading tribes).
@Joanna
Once I figure it out for myself, you bet I’ll be teaching it to others!!
I love this Alex - a Beatnik business. And I agree that making money and being driven by money are entirely separate things. My life is driven by creative expression, my love of travel, family and making deep and meaningful connections. If I could envelop this into a Beatnik business that felt authentic to me then that would be just heaven.
On a side note, you amaze me with the breadth of topics and angles you take in your articles on this blog. Really very impressive.
Kelly@SHE-POWER
BEATNIKS…?
Oh, man…I don’t think I’ve heard that expression since I saw an old episode of the Flintsones. (Or maybe from an old Archie Comic).
But hey…everything comes back in style again! Beatnik is very “retro” .
Friar´s last blog post..Avoiding Procrastination: How NOT to do it (*)
we could use more business people like you in the world today. People seem to be more interested in lining their own pockets than providing a quality service or product.
Hi Alex - I like your beatnik business idea. I would love to see people - especially some of the big corporations operate businesses in this way. They could still turn a profit and actually help folk instead of harming them.
@Paul
I think having come from a family where money was never a worry but never too much, I’ve developed a take or leave it attitude towards it. I love having money, but I don’t strive for it.
@Cath
Maybe I’ll think of a way that I can turn this into a kick-ass business model and sell it world-wide.
Sorry I’m a few days behind - the RSS reader in Outlook 2007 hasn’t been bringing in the feeds for some reason.
Thank you for this very refreshing post. There’s so much out there about earning 6 figures or 7 figures that “they” make you feel like there’s something wrong with you if you don’t aspire to that. I have a simple lifestyle, and as long as my business allows me to pay the bills and enjoy my life without going into debt, I will consider myself a success.
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@Janet
My thinking is the less I need to spend the less I need to make and the lower my tax bracket.
That being said, I wouldn’t object to gaining a JK Rowling status as an author.
For sure, Alex! Just because I don’t need lots of money doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy having it!
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