Building Up Your Street Cred

One of the main topics of this site has always been lifestyle design and figuring out what you need to do in order to achieve your dreams.

Far too many people wind up in careers they hate only because they felt compelled to follow in their parents’ footsteps, and others are afraid to leave their dead-end jobs and attempt to go out on their own.

Some people are stuck in bad relationships because they don’t want to be alone or they’re afraid of what will happen if they leave their significant other. That’s not healthy behavior.

Living Life on Your Own Terms

I often discuss “living your own life on your own terms.” That’s what most of us are aiming to do, but all too often we fall short of achieving the goal. I’ve finally gotten to the point in my life where I’m happy and healthy and doing what I want to do, not what other people expect me to do. I’m self-employed thanks to my Internet business, so I’m earning an income because of my own doing, not courtesy of some job that I hate.

I love to travel and I do so as often as possible, but I’ve always wanted to get to the point that I can take extended trips and not worry about returning home. Too many people never fulfill their bucket lists, and I certainly don’t want to join that club. I’m ready to see and experience new things all while still earning a full-time income.

Well, guess what! The time has arrived. If I’m going to talk the talk, I’m going to walk the walk. Things have gotten to the point that I can run my business from anywhere in the world, and I’ve purchased a one-way ticket to Madrid, Spain. I’m leaving on April 25^th.

My Plans…

I’m plan on doing a lot of things in Europe during the next 3 to 6 months. I plan on running a few marathons. I’ll find places to hike and bike. I’m going to surf and kayak, too. I want to meet new people and try new foods. I’m going to get out of my comfort zone and push myself physically while I’m in a place that’s completely different from my present reality.

I know that there will be naysayers out there thinking, “Yeah, right buddy!”

In order to prove myself to each and every one of you, I’m going to document my trip for you all right here on this site. I’m going to post updates as often as possible so I can tell you all what I’m doing. I’m even going to post photos. I’ve been talking about goals and doing what you want to do for so long that I want to provide evidence.

It’s my way of earning my street cred.

The Idea of “Street Cred”

If you’re not familiar with the expression, let me explain. It’s short for “street credibility” and it started out as a term used in hip hop and rap music circles. In inner city cultures, respect is something that someone earns only through actual tangible accomplishments, not through empty superficial bragging.

A talented rapper or break dancer might be considered a “poser,” or someone who’s purposely exaggerating their own skills and abilities, until they earn their street cred. A rapper might be talented, but until he’s signed by a respected record label and puts on a successful concert that shows off his skills, he hasn’t earned his street cred.

The term has actually migrated into mainstream pop culture. Most professionals need to earn their street cred before they’re truly considered to be a success …

Wouldn’t you rather visit a hairstylist that cuts and colors Hollywood celebrities than one who works at your local Supercuts?

Wouldn’t you rather use the lawyer who was just in the newspaper for winning a huge case than one who’s fresh out of law school and you’ve never heard of?

Walking the Walk, Not Talking the Talk

Whether or not you want to call it street cred, society has a higher respect for people who’ve “proven themselves.”

For instance, when I talked about making money from information products, I showed one of my Clickbank accounts. I didn’t do this to brag. I did it to show that I’m actually doing what I discuss, instead of making it up.

And in other areas of this site, I talk about being successful, living your dreams and doing what you want to do with your life.

So to really prove that I’m living what I discuss, I hope to use my upcoming travels as a way of building street cred in your eyes. I want to prove that I’m actually creating the reality that I want. And that it’s something that YOU can do as well.

Time to Build Up YOUR Street Cred

Now it’s your turn!

My challenge to you is to get crackin’ while I’m traveling. Break out those lists you’ve been making and start thinking about everything you’ve told me you want to accomplish. It’s time to take action, one step at a time. Baby steps are fine. After all, the first step is always the hardest, but once you take it things will take off!

If you also have an online business, or you’re trying to start one, are you just a poser or have you earned your street cred? What can you show for your efforts? Have you even done anything besides wish and hope things are going to improve?

After all, as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.”

Can you live up to the challenge?

Take Action. Get Results.