Even though I’ve wanted to join the Peace Corps (and have been working towards doing just that) for years, I declined an offer to be a high school Science teacher in sub-Saharan Africa, knowing the position wasn’t right for me. I couldn’t see myself standing at the front of a classroom lecturing about the structure of atoms. That’s not the image I had of what it meant to be a Peace Corps Volunteer. I saw myself working in a rural community, trying to solve real problems…not teaching students about neutrons and protons.

Then last week I received an offer for the Environmental Conservation program in Paraguay.

 ”I, Steven Severson, am accepting my invitation to serve as an Environmental Conservation Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay, departing September 26, 2012.”

In my heart, I’m committed. But in my mind, I’m insecure.

Even though my education is in Environmental Science, I question whether or not I’m the right person for the job. I feel unprepared and unqualified. Am I smart enough? Do I have the right skills? Is my political persuasion “liberal” enough for the Peace Corps?

But then…can anyone really be prepared for something like this?

When I made the announcement that I’d accepted the invitation on the Hundred Goals Facebook page, there was overwhelming support from everyone. Thank you! It’s nice to know so many people care about what I do. The encouragement I get from you guys is incredible! Some of you had questions about my decision to join the Peace Corps. I’ve done my best to answer those questions here:

When do you leave? I depart September 26th, 2012.

How long will you be there? The program is 27 months.

What will you be doing? I’ve been offered a position in Environmental Conservation. Exactly what I’ll be doing depends on what my strengths are, which will be determined as I go through the pre-service training program. From the Peace Corps program description:

The environmental education and conservation sector has been encouraging environmental awareness in local communities throughout Paraguay for nearly 30 years. The overall vision of the sector is to raise awareness of environmental issues in the communities where we work and to provide practical solutions to local environmental problems at a local level, while also offering tools for sustainable development.

Environmental themes addressed by the sector Volunteers are in the areas of deforestation/reforestation, soil conservation, diversification of farm use, garbage management, nature appreciation, and home gardens, among others. Main community contacts are community leaders, agriculturalists, local teachers, school principals, youth groups, and women’s groups. Volunteers work in schools, with farm families and, at the community level, through local groups and commissions.

Where in Paraguay will you be located? I’ll be training in the town of Guarambaré for about ten weeks. Until training is complete, I won’t know where I’ll be located as that depends on which job I’ll be doing.

What are your expectations of the program? I expect the program to provide the minimum amount of preparation needed to be effective while serving: basic language skills, technical training, etc. I expect to work independently under the banner of the Peace Corps, but with little support from the program. The quality of my Peace Corps experience will have little to do with the program itself, but will depend almost entirely upon my efforts, and ambition.

What do you think Peace Corps service will give you that a regular job wouldn’t? On a personal level, the Peace Corps will challenge me in ways I can’t even imagine, and it will give me the opportunity to grow as a person. I expect there to be moments when I’ll be frustrated with my progress, but I know that what I accomplish during my time with the Peace Corps will be personally rewarding. I’ll leave with a sense of pride and satisfaction. On a more practical level, the Peace Corps will provide me with experience and skills that will allow me to be more competitive in the job market.

What do you think the major contribution of the service will be to your development as a person? Confidence. I don’t feel like I have much to show for the almost thirty years I’ve been on this planet. There isn’t really a time in my life that I can look back at with a strong feeling of accomplishment or of having made a difference in the lives of others. While I’ve done some amazing things, climbing mountains and jumping out of airplanes seem to pale in comparison to devoting my life to the betterment of others.

How is Erin handling you leaving? From Erin:

To be honest, I don’t really think it’s hit me yet that he’s leaving. It’s going to be tough having my biggest supporter and the person I love  more than 5,000 miles away with very little communication. The scariest part is not being able to see him for the first six months after he leaves.

At the beginning of our relationship he expressed his passion about someday joining the Peace Corps. Those days are getting closer and I’m very proud of all of his accomplishments and the genuine, caring person he is today. Steven has taught me to live life to the fullest, even when I’m out of my comfort zone and he’s always encouraged me to aim high and shoot for the stars. He’s really brought out the best in me during the past five years.

I’ll be excited to visit him in Paraguay, to learn about his duties while he’s away, and to share some of those experience with him. Even though I have my selfish reasons for wanting him to stay, I fully support his decision to go and will stand beside him the whole way.

As for me, I’m going to finish my Bachelors Degree in December and then pursue my goal of getting into the Physician Assistant program. If I’m not accepted right away, I’ll move closer to family and gain more medical experience until I can re-apply the following year.

Aren’t you scared to leave your family, friends, and girlfriend? Terrified. But great achievements require great sacrifices. Leaving everyone behind will be the hardest part about joining the Peace Corps. I worry that things will be different between Erin and I after being away for two years. But the question I have to ask myself is whether it’s better to stay home, and forever wish I’d gone (and destroy our relationship because it’s “her fault” I didn’t go) or to go, and do everything I can to keep our relationship strong.

What if it’s not what you expected, and you aren’t happy? I’m trying my best not to have any expectations about what my service will be like. But, as I mentioned earlier about being a Science teacher, it’s obvious I already have some preconceived notions about how I want the experience to be. If I’m not happy, I always have the option to leave. But I don’t expect that to happen. Even if I’m miserable, two years isn’t the end of the world. I have an exit date.

What if something major happens to your loved ones while you’re away? In the event of a death in my immediate family, the Peace Corps allows Volunteers personal leave. Volunteers are also given two days of vacation for each month served, so if the situation isn’t as severe as a death in the family, I’d be able to use that time to come home if needed.

What if you catch an illness? Getting sick is part of the Peace Corps experience! I expect to get sick, to catch some weird parasite, or have diarrhea for days and days. I’ll do my best to be sick with style and grace.

What if you love the experience, the people, and the area? Would you consider relocating in order to continue your work? I’ve always been open to the possibility of moving overseas, so it’s something I’d consider. At the moment though, my plan is to serve in the Peace Corps, and return to the United States to earn my Masters in Environmental Engineering. Life is dynamic, and a lot can happen. I’ll adjust my sails, and go wherever the wind may blow.

Will your loved ones be able to visit you? Some will, others won’t. And that’s okay. Not everyone has the courage to travel to “strange and exotic” places. I’m sure I’d have more luck with visitors if I were on a tropical island. But those who do visit will have the experience of a lifetime!

If you have a question of your own or want to know more, ask away!

One of the most common questions I’m asked is:

It’s very difficult, if not impossible, financially for some people to do what you do. How do you do it?

Since I began writing Hundred Goals, I’ve tried to encourage people to live minimally, and within their means. Despite the subtle financial advice I offer, people still seem confused, and sometimes even offended, that I’m able to live the way that I do. I’ve actually been accused of being a drug dealer. For some reason, I just can’t seem to convince people that, financially, they can do exactly the same things I’m doing.

I’m not rich.

The truth is, I live on less than $20,000 a year. But despite my limited budget, I still manage to do a lot of amazing things. I’ve backpacked around Europe, learned how to surf in Hawaii, toured the White House, and watched the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland. It’s not because I’m rich that I’m able to do these things. I’m able to do these things because I’ve taken the necessary steps to live within my financial means.

If you’re finding it financially challenging to live the life of your dreams, here’s my advice to you:

Eliminate all of your debt, and avoid incurring any new debt. If you’re always paying debts from your past, it’s impossible to live in the moment. Pay off your debts, and avoid any new debt. Live within your means.

Avoid buying shit you don’t need. Only spend money on things of value. The rest is just bullshit. Don’t waste your money.

Don’t pay attention to other people. What other people have, or where they go for vacation isn’t important. Know what you value, and stay focused on the goals that you’ve set for yourself. Don’t be distracted by other people.

You can’t have everything you want. You can have anything you want in life, but you can’t have everything. Whatever you want, you can have it. But having it will probably mean giving up something else. Sacrifice the things you don’t value so that you can have the things you do.

Make life a priority. If you want something, you can’t just expect it to happen. You have to make it happen.  Don’t sit around thinking about all of the things you want to do with your life. Do them! Stop thinking, and start doing.

It’s really that simple…but also easier said than done.

It takes a lot of dedication and determination to get out of debt. It’s a battle that must be fought EVERY.DAMN.DAY. And it isn’t easy to ignore what other people have, or what they’re doing. But instead of feeling jealous of them, be happy for them. Focus on your goals, and your dreams. Stop thinking about the life you’ll have someday, and start living the life you want today!

And stop buying stupid shit you don’t need. Seriously. Stop.

Many people want to get fit, be healthy, and lose weight.

But there’s a difference between wanting something, and being committed to something. If you want to get fit, be healthy, or lose weight, you have to be dedicated. You can’t expect results overnight, and you can’t expect change if you’re only exercising once in a while. When you first start exercising, you’re probably going to hate it. It’s going to hurt. Your body will ache.

The toughest lift of all is your ass off the couch.

You aren’t going to drop two pant sizes in one day. You won’t lose fifty pounds in a month. It takes time to see results, and that can be discouraging. It’s a struggle to stay motivated when you’re working your ass off, and nothing seems to happen. Be patient, and just keep going. It will be worth it!!!

Here’s an exercise routine to get you started right now:

30 Jumping Jacks
5 Pushups
25 High Knees
7 Burpees
10 Crunches
7 Squats
5 Pushups
10 Crunches
5 Pushups
7 Squats
30 Jumping Jacks
1 Minute Wall Sit
5 Pushups
25 High Knees

Repeat twice!

As you’re working through a set, do your best not to rest until you’ve finished. Only take a minute or two between sets for a drink of water. Exercise is supposed to make your heart pound. You’re supposed to sweat. And by the end, if you’re not gasping for air, you’re not working hard enough!

All you’ll need is a little ambition, and twenty minutes a day (the intensity of your workout is more important than the duration.) And if you want a little extra motivation to stay focused, follow Hundred Goals’ on Pinterest.

But getting fit doesn’t stop once the workout is over!

Drinking water is the single most important component in losing fat and staying fit. Water is a natural appetite suppressant, and it also helps your body metabolize fat. An active person needs more than eight glasses of water per day to function optimally. Try to drink 80 to 100 ounces of water each day.

It’s important to take time off so your body can recover. This doesn’t mean lounging on the couch eating a bag of potato chips. Go for a short jog, or a bike ride. Maybe try rock climbing or go for a hike at a state park. Rest days aren’t an excuse to be lazy. You should still be active, just in a more relaxed way. Take one or two days off each week.

Do you love BBQ ribs? Me too. And that’s alright…once in a while. Give yourself one meal a week to satisfy any food cravings you might have, or as a reward for working so hard this week. The rest of the time, keep your diet as clean as possible. Don’t undo all of your hard work at the dinner table. If you aren’t sure what to cook, I highly recommend Tosca Reno’s Eat Clean Cookbook.

Be sure to get plenty of sleep. Research suggests that inadequate sleep increases your risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. You need at least eight hours a night.

You now know everything you need to know in order to get fit, be healthy, and lose weight. Exercise daily, drink lots of water, give in to your cravings (in moderation), give your body adequate rest (but stay active), and get a good night’s sleep.

No more excuses!

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” ~ Michael Jordan

There’s nothing worse than working your ass off only to fail.

But it’s okay to fail.  Failure is just the first step towards success. Our failures give us an opportunity to reflect on why things didn’t happen as we’d hoped. We should embrace our mistakes in order to learn from them. Most of all, we should continue taking risks, even if we might fail.

Some of the most respected people in history have failed miserably, only to persevere and become wildly successful. Here are but a few examples:

Publishers rejected Stephen King’s first book thirty times. Frustrated, King decided to give up, throwing the book in the trash. His wife took it out, encouraging him to submit it again. Today, King has hundreds of published books, and is one of the best-selling authors of all time.

Walt Disney was fired because, according to his editor, he lacked imagination and had no good ideas. After starting a number of failed businesses, he eventually found the recipe for success. Today, Disney brings in billions of dollars from merchandise sales, movies and theme parks around the world.

Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four, and didn’t read until he was seven, leading his teachers and parents to believe he was mentally handicapped. In 1921,  he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics “for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.”

Vincent Van Gogh only sold one painting (to a friend for a very small amount of money) while he was alive. Even though he was never a success during his lifetime, he kept painting. Today, his paintings are worth millions.

After a single performance, the manager of the Grand Ole Opry told Elvis Presley, “You ain’t goin’ nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin’ a truck.” He went on to become one of the best-selling artists of all time, and is still a household name today.

Thomas Edison’s teachers said he was “too stupid to learn anything.” As an inventor, Edison made a thousand unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, “How did it feel to fail a thousand times?” Edison replied, “I didn’t fail a thousand times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”

This post was inspired by 100 Words On: Why It Pays to Never Give Up by Len Penzo

Sound familiar?

“I can’t do that because I can’t afford it.”

Or, “I’ve got bills to pay.”

And, “I need a place to live…and food to eat. Those things aren’t free!”

Oh, the excuses we make. The truth is, these aren’t the things that are holding you back.

Not really.

Making excuses is just our way of protecting ourselves from the unfamiliar. The reason your life isn’t how you want it to be has nothing to do with any of the excuses you’ve been telling yourself about why it’s not. The reason you aren’t doing what you want with your life is because you’re afraid. And as long as you have a reason why you can’t do something, there’s no need to face your fears.

You’re a chickenshit.

It’s scary to take risks. What if you fail? What will you do if you try something and it doesn’t work out?

Doing what you want, as opposed to what you’ve been told (either directly or indirectly), is difficult. It’s scary. People will think you’re crazy, and they’ll do everything they can to “bring you back to your senses.” They’ll tell you to be “practical.” Do you want to be perfectly ordinary like those people who want to bring you back to “reality?” I didn’t think so. To hell with those people! Surround yourself with people who lift you up, and who will support you and your dreams.

Whatever the excuse you’ve been using to keep yourself from living the life you desire, defeat it. Overcome the obstacles you’ve created in your life, and start plotting, planning, and scheming…always be looking for ways to accomplish your goals. The world is a beautiful and magical place, not dangerous and scary like the TV wants you to believe. Sure, bad shit happens. But I’ve noticed that when I turn the TV off, a lot of good shit happens.

Step out of your comfort zone. Get dirty. Look like a fool. Make mistakes.

A while ago I wrote about my “struggle” to decide if I should join the Peace Corps. I was trying to rationalize why it’d be best for me to stay. What I should’ve said was, “Hey everyone! I’m afraid! Terrified, actually…” because that’s exactly what it was all about. I’ve wanted to join the Peace Corps for years, but that means my life, my happy little (read: comfortable) life, is going to be flipped upside down, and nothing will ever be the same. That’s pretty fucking scary.

But life’s not always going to be easy, and at times things are going to be scary. If I’m not able to confront those fears and destroy them, I’m going to end up mediocre…extraordinarily ordinary. That’s not what I want with my life. I wouldn’t be happy shuffling papers all day for a paycheck. That’s not who I am, and I don’t think that’s who most people are.

I believe most people, if they felt like they had the option, would chase after their dreams. But we’re locked into our lives, and feel like there’s no escape. And it doesn’t help that society does everything in its power to keep people in their place. There’s a certain protocol that we must follow. And if we don’t, all hell will break loose.

Or so we think.

If you’re looking for a way out, the key to the cage is inside of you. You’re the one who built the cage. Anything that’s holding you back is within your power to change.

Change it.

Are you going on vacation this summer? If you are, I’d love a postcard!

You can send them to the following address:

Steven Severson, 1477 Riverside Drive, Apt 302, River Falls, WI 54022, USA

Have a great trip!

Do you remember when you were younger, and filled with wild ambitions?

Maybe you thought you’d climb Mount Everest, or find the cure for cancer. When you grew up, it was your dream to become a fashion designer for Hollywood celebrities. As time passed and you got a little older, those dreams slowly began fading away. At the time, you probably didn’t even notice. Now, the reality  in which you find yourself is far from what you’d envisioned as a child.

The dreams are dead.

Still, some days we catch ourselves daydreaming about what might have been…if only we had done something different. If only we’d done something else. Something better. If only we’d have chased our dreams. Who knows what might have been. The sky was the limit.

Today we’re working at jobs we hate to pay for shit we don’t really want. We hate don’t like our boss, and our co-workers annoy us. Our jobs are so simple a monkey should be doing them. “Did I really go to college for this?” you ask yourself as you sip your cup of luke-warm coffee, thinking about that better life we could’ve had. If only…

It doesn’t take long before you’re reminded why you’re still shuffling your feet through the door of your miserable job. There are student loans, car loans, mortgages, and credit cards to pay. Not only do we have all of this debt to pay for, we also have to keep up with the Joneses. Expensive vacations to exotic locations, fancy clothes, and dinners at the finest restaurants.

This is why we continue to force ourselves through another workweek, feeling like slaves to our employer…to a paycheck. But the reality is that we’re slaves to no one other than ourselves. We’re the ones who built the walls of debt that imprison us, and we’re the ones who are shoveling the ground out from beneath our feet as we continue spending.

It’s no wonder our goals seem so far away. So distant. So impossible.

If you’re looking for something more from life than what you have today, you have the power to make it happen. You decide what the future will be. It will take hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. If you want the freedom to chase your dreams, you’ll have to change your life in profound ways.

If you use debt as an excuse for why you can’t do something, eliminate it. If you don’t think you’re smart enough, educate yourself. Maybe you want to climb a mountain but aren’t in any condition to do so. Get your ass to the gym and start getting in shape. Whatever your excuse, stop letting it get in the way of your dreams and your success.

If we don’t take matters into our own hands to do everything we can to make our lives the way we want them to be, things will never change. It will never get any better. There will always be exceptions to the rules, those who get lucky, but why rely on luck when you already have the ability to change your life?

You have to decide what you want more, the life you have now or the life you’ve always dreamt of having. Even though it may feel like you’re against insurmountable odds, with enough hard work and determination you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Live the dream.

Most Bucket Lists are filled with adventure.

Rock climbing, hiking mountains, and running marathons are all common goals. And while these goals will make your list sexy, actually doing them can be intimidating. Often these kinds of goals require us to step outside of our comfort zones, and push the boundaries of what we thought possible, both physically and mentally. But don’t despair! Whether your adventure is climbing Mount Rainier in the dead of winter or backpacking across Southeast Asia, these tips will help make your journey a succesful one.

Get educated. There’s nothing worse than being ill-prepared. Trust me, I’ve found myself in some pretty bad situations. Nature is indifferent to your joy, comfort, distress, and pain. It’s critical that you plan accordingly. The first step of any successful adventure is research. You need to know what to expect. Study maps of the areas where you’ll be traveling, read blogs from others who’ve done what you’re planning to do, and find a good book on the subject (and read the reviews of the book on Amazon, they’re always filled with excellent advice and information.)

Have the right gear. When you’re buying gear, you’ll have to make trade-offs. Many of the questions you have to ask yourself (and answer) will depend on your personal preferences. Is comfort more important than weight? Is the added cost of something worth the extra features? Knowing the limitations of your gear and whether it’s suitable for the elements you might encounter are also things you’ll need to consider. Again, do your research.

Click here for a printable Backpacking Checklist from REI

Know your gear. Don’t wait until you’re on the trail just moments before sunset to figure out how to set up your tent. Spend a weekend doing a trial run at a state park to familiarize yourself with how to properly use all of your gear. Read the product information to learn how to troubleshoot in case you encounter problems on the trail.

Travel light. Less is more. Don’t bring a bunch of shit things you don’t need and won’t use. Going on an adventure is a chance to leave it all behind. The less you have to carry, the better your experience will be. Don’t drag it all with you. Leave everything but the essentials at home. You don’t need 60 pounds of gear.

Know your limits. And the limitations of everyone in your party. Don’t overestimate your ability, and be sure to condition yourself before striking out on the trail. When you’re training, do your best to simulate the types of environments and scenarios you could find yourself in so you know what to expect. Load up your pack with everything you plan to take and go for a hike…a long hike. Can you hack it? Adjust accordingly.

What adventures do you have planned for the summer? How are you preparing? Do you have any advice for others who are just starting out?

Who is Christopher McCandless? He’s an enigma, an idea, a philosophy.

In the early 90s, Chris abandoned his life in search of something more meaningful than the materialistic society in which he found himself a prisoner. After graduating with honors from Emory College in Atlanta, Chris donated his life savings to charity and embarked on a trip around the country without telling anyone where he was going.

Soon after leaving, Chris abandoned his car, burnt all of his money, and spent the next two years hitchhiking around the United States, eventually making his way to Alaska. In April, Chris was dropped off near Denali National Park, where he hiked into the wilderness. Four months later, a hunter found his lifeless body wrapped inside his sleeping bag.

Before his death, Chris found the ironic truth he’d set out to find in the Alaskan wilderness, which was left scrawled in his journal:

“Happiness is only real when shared.” ~ Christopher McCandless

The legacy of Chris lives on in the hearts of many, myself included. The desire for simplicity, to be free of expectations and demands from society, to seek freedom, truth, beauty, and meaning. Purpose. In these ways, Chris represents everything right about humanity: the purity of his intentions, the raw idealism of his plans, the honest belief in himself. He followed his heart, and died chasing a dream.