The last couple of decades have seen a profound shift in western ideas and values of work, life and play. The rules have changed to the point where there are no longer any rules. In fact, we all have the opportunity to create our own rules if we so chose. There are no templates or life paths to follow. The world has become untemplated.
A great group of people have joined forces to blog about the opportunities to create any lifestyle we imagine.
They have just launched a new site, Untemplater.com and have a free PDF manifesto on offer. I am really excited about this new online community because I really think we are on the cusp of a major revolution in all facets of our lives. Old templates and career paths just don’t work anymore. Untemplater promises to help us chart our way through entrepreneurship, lifestyle design, vagabond travels, personal finance, motivation and the future of the anywhere, anything lifestyle.
The world is changing fast but it is always helpful to reflect on the history that brought us here.
A Century of Change: ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet’
With constant technological and societal change it is sometimes easy to forget how much the world has changed in one very short century. Your great grandparents probably didn’t have electricity, running water, motorized vehicles and all the derivative goods and services that flow from those basic luxuries. Think about that as you go through your day. Could you exist without electricity, technology, automobiles and running water?
One hundred years ago times were much more difficult. Traveling a dozen or so miles to a nearby city was a chore. There was a constant struggle just to provide enough food to survive. Endless back-breaking physical work was required just to exist with little left over for entertainment.
The Golden Ages: Individuality was a Small Price to Pay for Wealth
The rise of mass corporations in the 1950′s offered security and upward mobility. People were happy to forgo their own individuality and dreams for the sake of rapidly rising standards of living. Being a faceless corporate drone was far superior to the depravity of World War II and earlier experiences with the great depression. Risk taking was foolish when high paying salaries were so easy to come by. A single income was ample to buy a comfortable house with all modern appliciances and furniture. It truly was the Golden Age and people had lots of children to prove it.
Those children were the baby boom. Families with children spend more money so the economy was great and everyone prospered. Women were housewives and men were salaried workers. Work may not have been intrinsically rewarding, but no one cared because life was so good.
The Baby Boomers
Then all those babies started growing up. When the working age population is small, job opportunities and salaries are great. When the boomers flooded the workforce there was a lot of competition for limited jobs and decent opportunities were scarce. Unemployment was high and times were tough.
However, those boomers had their own children causing a second baby boom. More children meant families spent more money and times became good again. That lasted about two decades, then those second baby boomers started entering the work force and times started getting tight again. Those workers are now commonly referred to as generation X. I am of that generation.
When I graduated university job opportunities were limited. I missed the boom oil years my parents enjoyed and probably graduated at one of the worst times. There were no executive and V.P. positions offered to limited experience graduates. Everyone started at the bottom of the corporate ladder and expected a long climb to the top. Entrepreneurship was still somewhat of a strange word often met with derision. Looking back it really is amazing how much demographics influence the economy.
The Age of Opportunity
Now in the Internet age, the rules have completely changed again. The Internet, technology and resultant flattening of the world have completely reshaped the playing field again. The costs to start companies and reach a global market are essentially free. Start up incubators like Ycombinator and TechStars, are proving that talented and motivated teams can build multi-million dollar businesses in a few months with 15 to 20 thousand dollars of start up capital. This is the age of ideas and opportunity. Age and experience are meaningless. Only creativity, talent and hard work can bring success.
Costs of travel, electronics, clothing, food and most goods are cheaper than ever. We know longer need to keep on increasing our consumption. Things do not bring lasting happiness, only experiences and human connections do. This is the first time in history when it makes sense to stop increasing our material possessions and focus on finding meaning and purpose in our lives.
The time has come to break free of old limiting patterns and templates and create our own paths the world. Untemplater.com is the community to follow for this new untemplated lifestyle.
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Sounds like a cool project. Will check out their PDF.
I think we’re so lucky to be around so early in the information age. Opportunities abound!
Gordie´s last blog ..How Self-confidence Can Strengthen Your Lifestyle Design And Personal Development.
I definitely agree. We are very lucky to be alive at this time and to be born in rich countries. Like Warren Buffet says, “We have already won the ovarian lottery.”
It’s looking good, John. Can’t wait to see the whole thing take off like a web-based rocket ship of adventure and interplanetary success!
Colin Wright´s last blog ..My Magnetic Bromance
I am with you Colin. It is shaping up to be a great community.
Nice introduction, and congrats to you and all the other authors on this new project. Looks solid.
Alan´s last blog ..2009 Quarter 4 Update: A Year In Review
Thanks Alan.
Hey John, I still remember when we first met via Skype. You had such great content and I’m so happy to have you on board as a writer.
To give you a heads up, the video interviews will come back with a vengeance
Just wait till Feb.
Looking forward to reading your awesome content!
Jun Loayza´s last blog ..Get ready for your socks to be blown off: the Launch of Untemplater!!!
It is good to hear from you Jun. You are still rockin the universe. Don’t forget us little guys when you are rich and famous.
awesome project. still reading the manifesto! keeping an eye on them for sure!
GotPassport´s last blog ..Our resolutions (to do list) for 2010
Thanks for the comment. Yes, Untemplater is a great idea at a great time. They have an exciting future.
Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help or support…
Anil´s last blog ..How To Figure Out The Best Places To Travel On A Weak Dollar
Thanks for commenting Anil. Most appreciated.
John, thanks for your solid, enthusiastic support of our project! I’m really excited to have you on the team and looking forward to your contributions. As usual, this post is a great look at the evolution of work!
Cody McKibben´s last blog ..You Are Probably Insane
It is definitely a cool idea. I hope it works out! With so many people involved I’m sure it will.
Mary´s last blog ..Personal Brand? Bah. Just be yourself.
A great idea, one that will grow.
The issue of Lifestyle Design is one that is yet to fully take off. We are part of a small group of people who are engaged in develop unconventional lifestyles that work. We have a duty to help people understand how to do this and how to create what they truly want.
I love my life and the way it connects with current trends in communication and technology. There is so much further we can go in this, we are only at the very early stages.
Graham Phoenix´s last blog ..Travel is in my Blood