- The Nomad CEO
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- I ran into a DEAD END...then I had an š” !
I ran into a dead end.
Looking at my laptop screen, I am sitting in the lobby of my hotel in Bangkok. It has been nine days since I got here.
At least thatās what it seems if I follow the data. I mentioned briefly in the last newsletter that I was worried about my reach and ability to communicate with locals.
Well, it became a reality. In Thailand, no one gives a shit about what I have to say on TikTok š . TikTok is a fascinating place because, while one of my videos is still going viral, amassing almost 130 K views (!) from Kandy in one video alone, as soon as I post here in Bangkok, there is zero exposure.
So location really does matter. I learned a big lesson here.
I have been hopping from one hotel to the next, but I can tell this is not going to last this time. Thailand is great but my true north is showing me a different path. I am going to follow the momentum because I want the exposure to grow this newsletter.
Only relying on paid ads is just not a good idea at this point. So I decided to double down on what works or where my content gets some traction.
LetĀ“s tune into the sourceā¦
And so, I had intuition while jogging in the morning. (connected myself to the source.)
and I have been fantasizing about this volcano latelyā¦
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park
And then there are these next-level waterfalls that look like pandoras.
They are called Tumpak Sewu.
Well, thatās in East Java, Indonesia. And I can fly to Denpasar and then cross from Bali.
That name already sounds awe-inspiring, doesnāt it?
Tumpak Sewu
It is probably the most impressive mother-effing setting I have ever seen.
That waterfall with that volcano backdrop around magic hour?
Hello ? š³
So I do need to get there, fly the drone, and set up my tripod. ya know.
The whole nine yards š¤©
LetĀ“s goooooo
Roadmap: The Uncharted Road
In this episode, as you might have noticed by now, I stirred up things quite a bit.
I brought up some uncertainty and surprise to mix in the blend of āThe Uncharted Road.ā
I think it is important to always maintain a healthy balance between uncertainty and familiarity. Most people have a sweet spotājust the right amount of uncertainty to make life not too boring but also a safe haven of comfort always in sight and present.
The question then becomes, Where is this sweet spot for you ?
As you might expect, my sweet spot is probably not the average Joe's sweet spot because uncertainty is kind of a core value of this whole endeavor.
The problem for me is the opposite; there's too much surprise and uncertainty, and I frequently find myself in a situation where I crave more order and familiarity.
I need routines I can follow through so I dont fall off track with my writing habits
I need a day every Sunday to unwind and forget āThe Uncharted Roadā for a day
I need to go to a nice cafƩ close by to sit down and be able to focus while sipping great coffee and write
I need friends and people I can share the stories I have with the people I met and the worries that pop up in my mind.
I need a goal to aim for so I can measure my progress and reap the benefits of making it
I was watching a Tony Robbins video this week in my attempt to consume the things that inspire, the stuff that triggers the āLets get great things done responseā in me.
And it did. Thatās because Tony Robbins is a legend and knows people probably better than anybody else. We all know that happiness is elusive and that money canĀ“t buy it and we shouldnāt aim directly for it but we can aim for progress because progress is happiness.
If we can measure progress, we can almost be certain that happiness ensues.
How the heck am I going to measure progress with The Uncharted Road beyond the metrics of open rate and CTR that will ultimately determine success?
You may have noticed that this is an existential question because it directly addresses the core issue of why I am doing this.
The answer is twofold.
1) For the same reason, a small turtle hatches and instinctively heads for the ocean.
To become the best version of myself by taking the less traveled path of curiosity, creativity, self-improvement, and artistic expression.
2) The audience. I'm essentially writing letters to my younger self. I know this person and what keeps him awake at night, so that is just common sense. I try to solve problems for the person I was 2 or 3 years ago.
If you donĀ“t fit that description, then I guess we have to connect on a different level.
The uncharted road aims at the digital economy as a platform for storytelling, travel photography and personal growth for young men to help them find their unique voice in a world where authenticity is everything.
Where is the Uncharted Road headed and why should you care?
There are three things that need to be part of every edition
1) Authenticity: It is just sharing my perspective on things or experiences in the present moment, wherever I am at that particular moment in time.
Thatās me trying to be on the right side of things.
But at the end of the day, it is just my subjective opinion. So really think for yourself, because I am biased.
I do believe that in a world of AI and content creation, authenticity is the new superpower.
2) Curiosity. Basically, I am looking into how to live a good life from the point of view of a nomad. As I have gotten older and traveled more, I have become more conservative.
Just talk about ways to make small changes or improvements that could make your life better; it's not about bragging about a different way of life.
3) Creativity, most likely visually in the form of photos but given my recent pivots in the last 2 years, I canāt really guarantee anything except that it will be some form of creative expression through photography and writing.
Ultimately, I would love to carve a road on which others can also go and repeat the successāa blueprint for freedom so to speak.
My next goal is to reach 1,000 subs quickly. Help me by referring someone you know and getting 30% off on my prints, please! š
So here you have itāthats my goal and roadmap
3 Quotes to keep you inspired for a week
"The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers."
"Uncertainty is the only certainty there is, and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security."
"In an uncertain world, the surest wisdom is in knowing how little we know."
FOUND IN BANGKOK
Dive into the Srinagarindra Train Night Market
In this week's newsletter, I'm taking you on a little visual tour through a Thai night market.
@romanlbinder Exploring Bangkok's vibrant night market, capturing the essence of street life through portrait shots. #BangkokNights #StreetPhotography ... See more
This isn't your typical tourist trap; itĀ“s a huge local market with hundreds of food stands and everything from bags to crocodile steak.
I've managed to capture this raw, unfiltered experience in a bunch of portraits and snapshots that I can't wait to show you.
I could immerse myself for hours watching people just being people and doing their work.
There is a relaxed vibe and atmosphere and you can tell how people come here to just spend some quality time with their families.
And then there was a touch of American spirit as well, right there in Bangkok.
There is something about the american dream you can find all around the world that is inspiring š
FOUND IN BANGKOK
Bang Krachao, the "Green Lung" of Bangkok:
Bang Krachao is a big green area in the middle of the city, across the Chao Phraya River from Klong Toei. Tourists often miss it.
There are lush forests, traditional wooden houses, and raised paths that are great for biking in this area. It's a great place to get away from the noise and chaos of the city and see how people used to live in the past.
This open field is in a quieter part of Bangkok and is home to several abandoned planes, including a huge Boeing 747 and smaller MD-82 jets.
People are allowed to look inside these planes. There's a strange spot that not many tourists are aware of.
Siriraj Medical Museum (Museum of Death):
The Siriraj Medical Museum is a great place to visit if you are interested in medical history and have a strong stomach.
The place isn't like most tourist spots because it has displays on forensic pathology, anatomy, and Thai medicine.
Some displays are quite graphic, including preserved bodies and organs, making it a unique and educational experience.
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