The Voluntary Life

Everyone knows that to succeed as an entrepreneur (and just to be productive) you have to learn to delegate. However, in this episode I make the case for why it's preferable to automate a task rather than delegate it, when possible. I provide some examples of how I use automation to help my own productivity, such as: Text expansion (automated reuse of blocks of standard text) using TextExpanderFile manipulation (automating your own procedures for naming, changing and filing documents using HazelDictation and transcription using Dragon Dictate and SiriScripting using AppleScript,  Automator and Keyboard maestro for mac. I also provide links to some resources that I use for learning about automation: Mac Power Users podcastScreencasts Online (tutorials for mac software) Show Notes: Episode 108: Three Ways To Delegate Listen To Episode 179

This episode covers everything I've learned about upgrading my habits to improve my life. Here's a brief summary of the points covered: Habits are the most important demonstration of your character: you are what you do repetitively.By consciously upgrading your habits, you have an opportunity to implement your vision of who you want to be, in your day-to-day life.Habits are powerful because steady persistence always beats the mad dash.Habits dramatically reduce the amount of willpower and brainpower required to get things done. Once you have implemented a habit and can do it on autopilot, you conserve willpower and brainpower, helping you get more done.Habits are easiest to adopt when they are simple to understand, when you minimise any friction at the start of the action, when there are clear environmental triggers that tell your unconscious to start the habit, and when you have feedback (rewards) for completion.I recommend the use of a habit tracking app like lift.do. In the podcast, I provide some examples of  habits that I am currently working on and describe how I use this app to help me implement them.The episode covers the best books to read more about habits (listed in the show notes below) and I talk about many of the tips that I've gathered from these resources. Show Notes: Previous episodes on productivityInterview with Augusto PinaudLift Habit Tracking AppInterview with Lift CEO Tony StubblebineThe Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work by Shawn AchorThe Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles DuhiggWillpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength by Roy F. BaumeisterManage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind) edited by Jocelyn K. GleiPhoto credit: Todd QuackenbushListen to Episode 178

Why is there a lot of resentment towards entrepreneurs among intellectuals, white collar workers, extended members of successful business families, and artists? This episode is Part 2 of a discussion of "The Anti-Capitalistic Mentality" by Ludwig Von Mises.  In this episode, I explain Mises' own theories about resentment towards entrepreneurs from specific groups. Show Notes The Anti-Capitalistic Mentality by Ludwig Von Mises (free ebook) Becoming An Entrepreneur by Jake Desyllas Listen to Episode 177

Why do some people hate entrepreneurs? This episode explores some answers to this question put forward by Ludwig Von Mises in "The Anti-Capitalistic Mentality". Show Notes The Anti-Capitalistic Mentality by Ludwig Von Mises (free ebook) Becoming An Entrepreneur by Jake Desyllas Listen to Episode 176

In this podcast episode, I outline the mindset that is most conducive to becoming a successful entrepreneur.  This mindset is the culture of entrepreneurship. I provide a contrast with the culture of politics, to show what's special about the culture of entrepreneurship. Show Notes:Becoming an Entrepreneur: How to Find Freedom and Fulfillment as a Business Owner Listen to Episode 175

This is part 2 of my review of Harry Browne's book Fail-Safe Investing. It contains a discussion of the rest of Harry Browne's rules for financial safety: Rule #11: Create a bulletproof portfolio for protection. Rule #12: Speculate only with money you can afford to lose. Rule #13: Keep some assets outside the country in which you live. Rule #14: Use tax reduction accounts. Rule #15: Enjoy yourself with a budget for pleasure. Rule #16: When in doubt, err on the side of safety. Show Notes: Fail-Safe Investing by Harry BrowneEpisode 173: Fail-Safe Investing Part 1Episode on Financial Preparedness (discussion of the different economic conditions)Other previous episodes on the Permanent PortfolioPermanent Portfolio Historical ReturnsAs always, it's up to you what you do with your money. I'm not a financial advisor and you will need to do your own research.Listen to Episode 174

This episode is the first in a two part review of my favourite investment book, Fail-Safe Investing by Harry Browne. In this episode I discuss the background to this investing approach and provide an overview of Harry's top 10 rules of financial safety: Rule #1: Your career provides your wealth. Rule #2: Don't assume you can replace your wealth. Rule #3: Recognize the difference between investing and speculating. Rule #4: No one can predict the future. Rule #5: No one can move you in and out of investments consistently with precise and profitable timing. Rule #6: No trading system will work as well in the future as it did in the past. Rule #7: Don't use leverage. Rule #8: Don't let anyone make your decisions. Rule #9: Don't ever do anything you don't understand. Rule #10: Don't depend on any one investment, institution, or person for your safety Show Notes: Previous episodes about the permanent portfolio approachFail-Safe Investing by Harry BrowneAs always, it's up to you what you do with your money. I'm not a financial advisor and you will need to do your own research.Listen to Episode 173 

There are many aspects of life that you can work to improve, in order to create the life you want. In this episode, I make the case for prioritising your personal finances, before focussing on other personal development goals. Listen to Episode 172 

This episode is an interview with Jacki Rigoni, who blogs at Post-Consumer Life.  Jacki and her husband realised that their million dollar house was really just a million dollars of mortgage debt which they would have to work like crazy to pay off until the age of 75. So they decided to sell the house, get rid of the debt, buy a plot of land, build their own tiny home, and live off-grid. Listen to the episode to hear Jacki describe her inspiring story. Listen to Episode 171

This episode is an interview with Bobby Casey, founder of Global Wealth Protection and many other internationalization businesses. Bobby talks about his own background as an entrepreneur, how he became interested in the internationalisation field, and his life as a perpetual traveler. He explains some of the key ideas of asset protection, such as the role of offshore trusts and companies. He also discusses the opportunities for establishing residency in different countries for tax benefits, as a place to live and in some cases to gain a second citizenship. Listen To Episode 170 

An episode about two inter-related questions that are crucial to your happiness in life: How will you achieve financial security and/or independence?How will you find fulfilment?It's your responsibility to find your own answers to these questions, repeatedly throughout your life. Nobody can answer them for you. This episode provides some suggestions about how to think about these questions, to help you develop a more conscious strategy to address them. Show Notes: Episode 124 Four Ways To Quit The Rat Race Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Dan Pink Listen to Episode 169

This episode is about the most powerful technique I know for overcoming deadlock in negotiations and resolving disputes, both in business and in personal relationships. The technique involves a very straightforward concept that everyone understands, but it is often ignored or usually only tried when it is already too late. Show Notes Previous episodes on Negotiation Listen to Episode 168

Joshua Sheats invited me onto the Radical Personal Finance podcast to discuss the Permanent Portfolio investment strategy for individual private investors. In this episode we talk about many aspects of the PP strategy including: my own reasons for choosing this investment strategythe design of the portfoliothe philosophy behind the approachstrengths and weaknesses of the PP Show Notes: Radical Personal Finance Episode 30Recordings of Harry Browne’s investing radio showsPermanent Portfolio discussion forumPrevious Episodes about the Permanent Portfolio on The Voluntary Life Podcast“Wild About Harry” – article by William Bernstein about the Permanent PortfolioFail Safe Investing by Harry BrowneThe Permanent Portfolio: Harry Browne’s Long-Term Investment Strategy by Craig Rowland and JM LawsonAs always regarding investment, do your own research. I am not a financial advisor and this isn't advice, it's my own experience and opinions. My intention is to encourage you to think for yourself. Listen to Episode 167

Justin retired at the age of 33. He writes about his journey to financial independence on his blog Root of Good. In this interview, he discusses his path to financial independence from intensive saving. Topics covered include: Saving all salary increases and avoiding lifestyle inflationCost-effective housing, transport and food choicesThe importance of having agreement with your spouse towards your financial goalsChildren and financial independence Show Notes Root of Good Listen to Episode 166

Joshua from Radical Personal Finance Podcast invited me on his show to talk about entrepreneurship. We talked about learning entrepreneurial skills, voluntary versus compulsory education, the importance of selling in life, the ethical nature of business, and the positive power of entrepreneurship. Show Notes Four Ways To Quit The Rat Race PresentationRadical Personal Finance PodcastBecoming an Entrepreneur Listen to Episode 165