RSS

Life After College Giveaway Week FTW!* (Part One)

by Jenny • September 13th, 2010

I’m excited today. I have free stuff to give away to you wonderful people this week, and that just makes me really happy!

I also want to express a very heartfelt thank you for all of the love you poured into this corner of cyberspace in response to last week’s Open Letter to Love post. I published on Tuesday night (waking up to nervously edit at 3am) thinking I’d want to hide under the covers all day dodging verbal “you’re gonna be a crazy cat lady!” stones (okay, so that’s a slight exaggeration but I was feeling quite vulnerable). Instead, you completely lifted me up once again and reminded me that I have the best readers on the planet.

And so, my friends, I am thrilled to share some free stuff as a token of my appreciation! So let’s get it on. Err, get on with it.

Giveaway #1 – Drawing for a copy of Chris Guillebeau’s new book, The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World

“When faced with uncertainty about taking a leap of faith, take the leap. You’ll regret the things you didn’t do much more than anything you did, so you might as well try new things.” —Excerpt from Chris’s book

Note: This book review is going to be VERY biased, because it is hard for me to put into words how much Chris means to me as a friend and mentor.

Two years ago, when my parents and friends were my only blog subscribers and I had no clue how to ask for a mentor, Chris (whose blog was one of the first I ever followed) sent me a note and told me he wanted to be the founding member of the Jenny Blake Advisory Board.

I (figuratively) looked over both shoulders and thought…who, me?! I was so blown away that I barely knew how to accept his generous offer. Many “big fish” will kindly help or advise when you ask them to. Few go out of their way to proactively make it happen the way Chris did.

Since that time, Chris has been a great resource and supporter for me and countless others. His generosity and commitment to his “small army of remarkable people” is unwavering. After I signed my book contract, I came home to find four-dozen cookies delivered via UPS, addressed to “Author Jenny Blake.” He makes himself available for book questions in the middle of his ridiculously awesome book tour, and continues to be a model for authentic, kick-ass living.

Chris’s book, which shot up to #8 on Amazon during its debut last week, delivers straightforward and inspiring advice to help you “live on your own terms” and “embrace life as a constant adventure.” As the very smallest token of my appreciation, I bought an extra copy of Chris’s book to give away to one of you.

How to Enter: Leave a comment with a big goal or life dream by the end of the day on Friday, September 17, and I’ll pick a winner via Random.org by early next week.
More awesomeness from Chris (disclaimer – these are affiliate links):
- Empire Building Kit (Fantastic nuggets of wisdom about building your own business – delivered daily)
- Unconventional guides
- Two priceless FREE manifestos of greatness: A Brief Guide to World Domination and 279 Days to Overnight Success

Giveaway #2 – Free 60 Minute Coaching Sessions with the Fabulous ChaChanna Simpson

ChaChanna is an inspiration to me and one of my first friends in the blogosphere. She runs Twentity.com, is the author of her own Life After College book, and is in the process of completing coach training.

ChaChanna is working on a goal to do 50 free sessions over the next three months (ambitious and awesome!) – and I couldn’t be happier to help out. The way I see it, it’s a win/win – ChaChanna gets closer to her goal, and you get free coaching! She says, “If you are willing to stretch yourself to create the life you want, the relationship you want, and the career you want, I can help you close the gap between the life have and the one you really want.”

How to sign-up: If you’re interested in signing up for a free 60 minute coaching session, email chachanna@twentity.com

Stay tuned for two more giveaways in Part Two of this post…coming later this week!

***

*FTW means “For the Win” in geeky Internet speak. Incidentally, it does not mean a triumphant “F*** the World!” as I used to incorrectly believe.

Are you new to Life After College? Welcome, and thanks for visiting! Looking for a portable life coach? Be sure to check out my new book, Life After College: The Complete Guide to Getting What You Want for tips, quotes and inspirational coaching exercises. If you liked this post, consider subscribing to my blog via email. Want access to the Organized Like a Ninja Toolkit with 15+ kick-ass templates, and hundreds of tips and tools to get your life in order? Sign-up for the monthly “inside scoop” (email updates with personal stories, tips and resources). I look forward to keeping in touch!

65 comments

Categories: Books, Coaching

erg

Hey Jenny!
where do we leave the comment to enter to win the book? Here?
I would hope so because my life dream/big goal: open a bakery/cafe/bookstore geared towards the university/college/young adult in the midst of their transitions into adulthood. Their third place – “home away from home”

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

ERG – your bakery/cafe/bookstore idea sounds amazing!! I absolutely love it And I love the idea of referring to it as a third place — you are totally on to something, and I want an invite to your opening! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your big goal

http://www.kristenbyers.net/ Kristen

I’m not sure I can choose just one goal! I want to work for myself doing something I love. What that is exactly is yet to be determined. I also want to live debt-free and travel…extensively.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Hey Kristen! Always great to hear from you I’m with you on the self-employed, doing something you love, traveling, debt-free bandwagon. We can do it!! Thanks for stopping by

http://twitter.com/AnnaManasova Anna Manasova

Hi Jenny, Thanks for reviewing Chris’s book, both of you are quite an inspiration.
As for my life dream or big goal: I want to be able to say I’ve travelled the world and have improved in some way every single day!

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Hey Anna! Thank you so much for the kind words Love your goals! Traveling the world and improving every single day sound like the keys to a happy life — and my guess is that you are already well on your way Have a fantastic rest of your week!

http://gloriouspursuit.blogspot.com Amanda K

Hi Jenny, I’ve just recently found your blog and I’m a big fan. One of my big goals? Become the Director of Development for a major non-profit organization.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Hey Amanda! So happy that you found my blog – and thanks for leaving a comment! Your big goal is a great one — I have no doubt in my mind that you will get there someday. Looking forward to keeping in touch!

http://akhilak.com/blog Akhila

I’d love to be considered for the book giveaway! Been wanting to get ahold of that book

My big life dream or goal: To start a non-profit (or lead an already existing non-profit) that works to expand access to justice, particularly in criminal cases & domestic violence cases, to poor people in India. My dream

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Hey Akhila! Just wanted to let you know that you won the giveaway! If you could send me your mailing address (jennyblake@gmail.com) that would be great

And love your big life dream – I have no doubt that you will make it happen. You’re already doing so much at such a young age! A total inspiration to us all

http://twitter.com/chrisguillebeau chrisguillebeau

I’d love to win the book! But maybe it should go to someone else….

Thanks for all your support and friendship; I’m really excited about your book too.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Thanks so much CG! You lost your own contest by one position — @akhilak (the comment right above yours) is the lucky winner

Hope you’re having a blast on your book tour! I’m really looking forward to hosting you @ The Goog in December

Anonymous

Chris’ blog was probably the first blog that I started to read on a consistent basis.

His free “Guide to World Domination” was awesome!

I will admit however that I rarely go to his blog anymore, his posts have seemingly become more about web business development and his books and less about personal development (which was what originally drew me to his blog). However, his book sounds like maybe that part of his website that I’ve been missing – I’d love to take a gander.

My next big goal is to open an industrial radiator factory with some engineer buddies (essentially I want to become my own boss, but with a plan to do so)

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Hey Marc! LOVE your big goal – sounds ambitious and awesome — and I have no doubt that you can make it happen. Always great to hear from you — hope you’re having a fantastic week!

Brent

I have a huge dream of becoming a full-time entrepreneur once I graduate from college. The assurance that I can walk away from my adventure with no loss can be a liberating experience. Owning a business has been a goal for me since I was about 10. The time to start developing ideas is now.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Brent – good luck with your big goal! I think it’s awesome that you’re planning your route to self-employment now. You can totally make it happen – especially if you’ve been dreaming of this since you were 10 years old! Keep me posted — and let me know if I can ever help in any way
http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Brent – good luck with your big goal! I think it’s awesome that you’re planning your route to self-employment now. You can totally make it happen – especially if you’ve been dreaming of this since you were 10 years old! Keep me posted — and let me know if I can ever help in any way

Kate

You’re so amazing, words cannot describe!

One of my life goals is to finished writing and publish my memoir. Another one of my life goals is to complete an Ironman!

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Aww, thanks so much Kate! YOU are amazing! Exciting that you are working on a memoir…you can totally finish it! And publish it – one way or another. As for the Ironman? You are ambitious, girl! I love it. The thought of an ironman seems UTTERLY impossible to me – I have such mad respect for anyone who can do it…especially women. What a kick-butt goal!
http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Aww, thanks so much Kate! YOU are amazing! Exciting that you are working on a memoir…you can totally finish it! And publish it – one way or another. As for the Ironman? You are ambitious, girl! I love it. The thought of an ironman seems UTTERLY impossible to me – I have such mad respect for anyone who can do it…especially women. What a kick-butt goal!

http://twitter.com/ChaChanna ChaChanna Simpson

Thanks for the mention Jenny! You are so stellar! And, Chris’s book looks like it is definitely something for me to check out. I always learn something new from you with each of your post.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

ChaChanna – thanks so much for your sweet comment I feel like we’ll be great partners in this “after college” journey — can’t wait to talk on Saturday

Katie

My big goal is graduating this winter, and going onto college to get my degree. It’s something I never thought I’d be able to do, but now know that I can do anything I freakin’ want.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Katie – that is SO exciting that you are graduating this winter! HUGE congratulations — and I love that it’s helped you realize you can do anything you freakin’ want. There are no truer words! Thanks so much for stopping by

http://www.waterfallingupwards.com Sarah Kathleen Peck

Jenny! That book’s on my to-read list, but I haven’t purchased it yet. I would be PSYCHED if I won the drawing (but must confess I’ll probably buy the book anyways if I don’t win your fun drawing). Books are definitely my thing.

Speaking of books, I’ll have to admit that my big goal of the next year or two (the “before 30 goal” if you will) is to write at least one of the books that I have in mind to write. I have 2 book ideas that I keep mulling over, and I somehow need to translate those rough paper sketches and ideas into actual ideas. Annnnnd I can’t believe I just published that online. In public. I haven’t admitted that goal to ANYONE except my family. Welp, there it is, in print: I want to be an author.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Sarah! You can SO write those books! I just locked myself in coffee shops for two weeks over the holidays one year — it was so much fun. Even just giving yourself a “getaway weekend” where you go somewhere remote will give you that writerly feeling

And I ***LOVE*** that you just said that goal out loud. In public. On a blog. WUHOOOOO!!!! The hardest part is already over

http://megancassidy.wordpress.com/ Megan Cassidy

I want to work for a pro sports team.. But if I don’t, I at least want to wake up every day and go to bed every night satisfied that I will do something great, and did something great.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Hey Megan! Love that goal – I always thought working for a pro sports team would be so much fun. And I have no doubt in my mind that you will (and have) do great things. On that note, have a GREAT rest of your week!

http://superduperfantastic.net/ suki

I’d love to find a mentor or two or three. It’s great that Chris reached out to you like that! Awesome, in fact. Life dream – travel the world and have an amazing house to entertain and invite my friends.
Sara

Hi Jenny! I just recently found your blog and really enjoy reading it.
As for my life dreams (I feel as though being 22 is too young to narrow it down to just one) I either want to open up a little vegan bakery someday, or help found a wildlife sanctuary. My passion is animals and the environment, so I’d just really like to make an impact in one way or the other someday.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Thanks so much Sara! I love the goals you shared! Vegan bakery and wildlife sanctuary both sound amazing…maybe part of your bakery proceeds get donated to the sanctuary? I can see some sort of awesome way to have the two work together In any case, thank you so much for sharing and for stopping by! Great to virtually meet you

Heather van der Hoop

Hi Jenny! I’ve been reading for a few months, but this is my first comment. I love what I’ve read so far!

My dream? To run an adventure & sports-based learning program for at-risk youth. Slowly but surely!

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Hey Heather! Wuhooooo – first comment! I love it – thank you so much Your big dream sounds amazing!!! You will totally make that happen – I have no doubt. Slowly but surely is right — one foot in front of the other

Have a great rest of your week, and thanks again for introducing yourself!

http://sillygrrl.com Sarah

My goal for next year is to move from intermediate aerial class into advanced!

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Sarah – love it! Aerial class sounds like such a blast Thanks for stopping by!

Jules Kelley

One of my biggest goals is to run the Boston Marathon!

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Jules – that’s a great goal! Those Boston Marathon runners are intense — after you’ve done that race, you’ll know you can do anything Thanks so much for stopping by!

Casey L.

Hi Jenny, I was just turned onto your blog by my friend Lindsey through your “Open Letter to Love” and fell in love with your blog! Congrats on your book deal! One of my life goals: Own my own travel company.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Hey Casey! Thanks so much for the kind words — so glad you found your way over to Life After College. And thanks so much for the book deal congrats! It’s definitely exciting to see that project making it’s way out into the real world.

Love your goal of owning a travel company — you can so do it! Looking forward to keeping in touch

http://jessicalawlor.com Jessica Lawlor

I’ve been seeing a lot of love all around the web for this book! Can’t wait to read it.

My life dream is to live in Rome again at some point. I’m not sure for how long or for what reason, but I will get there.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Hey Jessica! Great to hear from you LOVE your goal of living in Rome – what an amazing thing to do. Especially since you’ve already done it once! You will totally get there — I have no doubt

Matt

Hi Jenny!

I’m relatively new to your blog (a couple months), but I’ve enjoyed it a lot so far!
My big goal?? Give a speech at TED someday!! Whoop whoop!!

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Hey Matt! Thanks so much for introducing yourself!! Happy to hear from you, and I love your big goal of giving a speech at TED! That’s a great one — you’ll make it happen one way or another, for sure Have a great rest of your week!

http://twitter.com/lovedbylisa Lisa Lewis

My big goal/life dream is to work a location-independent job without crazy hours where my work makes a difference in people’s lives every day.

(Perhaps a smaller goal would be to have a great blogger approach me about starting MY advisory board!!)

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Lisa – thanks so much for stopping by, and for sharing your great goal of being location independent! And the part about making a difference in people’s lives is huge too — I have no doubt that you’ll be able to make both happen.

As for the Lisa Lewis Advisory Board – count me in Let me know how I can help ANY time!!

Emily Smith

Fabulous Post Jenny!

One big life goal: To one day become a motivational speaker and career consultant while traveling the world and being able to consistently end my day knowing I made a difference in someone’s life!

Best,
Emily

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Thanks so much Emily! Love your goal of becoming a motivational speaker and career consultant – and making a difference in people’s lives…those all sound incredibly fulfilling. Let me know if I can ever help in any way — we definitely share similar goals

http://twitter.com/jdalfeen Juliette D-F

Okay, here goes: I want to combine my interest and passion for learning more about nutrition and wellbeing and combine it with my knack for and desire to articulate something to people (via writing, video) that they may never have thought about before (read: combine nutrition and journalism). I want to LOVE what I do – the good and bad parts of it.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Juliette – thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your big goal! I absolutely LOVE your idea and have no doubt that you’ll make it happen one day soon

http://yourkickasslife.com Andrea

Big goal!! Is there a limit?
I’ll start with 2: I want to write 3 books. One about the self esteem/body image link, one about crunchy parenting and one about body image and motherhood.

I want to hold a weekend women’s retreat in 4 or 5 years in Sedona. And maybe have a co-facilitator? Jenny??

xo,
Andrea

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Andrea – LOVE those goals!! You would hold such a kick-ass woman’s retreat…it’s not even funny. And count me in on co-facilitating!! Can’t wait to talk on Friday

Cori

Chris’ quote is amazing!!
My life dream: to travel the world, and take photographs wherever I go. To have a gallery for all my photos.
http://www.smallhandsbigideas.com Grace Boyle

Great giveaways and always fun

My big goal is to accompany my mom and help her facilitate her Women’s Retreat to Italy (la Dolce Vita) that she does annually. I’m getting my Italian Citizenship and I want to start it off right, with this two week trip she does. It’s a lot of vaca (PTO?) time and an investment in money, but to me, it’s worth it. I’m starting to plan it a year out for her trip, next September (she’s there now). Jenny, hold me accountable !!

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Grace! I LOVE that goal!!! You would be such an amazing co-facilitator!!! OMG. I’m so excited just thinking about it FOR you. Oh. Em. Geeeeee! I will totally hold you accountable. In fact, I want an update when your tickets are booked!

(PS So glad to hear that you are safe after the fire craziness — phew!)

Cat

I can’t wait to read Chris’ book! Hopefully I will get a chance to meet him on his tour as well!

One big life dream/goal for me is to have enough time & money to travel and see the world. A bonus would be to also have enough money to pay for my husband, a friend, or family member to come along with me on various trips to give them a chance to see the world as well.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Cat – thanks so much for stopping by! Love the idea of traveling the world with a loved one Hope you’re having a great week!

http://twitter.com/_happygolucky_ Elizabeth

My biggest goal is to lead a positive, healthy life and to spread positivity among others. I know that without a healthy mindset, no greater goal will ever be accomplished.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Elizabeth – so true that a healthy mindset is the key to accomplishing all the other stuff. I love your overarching goal of leading a positive, healthy life — very inspiring

Karina

As a current grad student, I haven’t yet found the exact thing that drives me and one goal I would like to achieve. Rather, my goal is to live the most exciting, adventurous, and personally fulfilling life I can, allowing me to have a healthy and balanced life, while helping others reach their dreams and fulfill their goals.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Karina – thanks so much for stopping by. Your comment is like the perfect life mission statement! You should write it on a piece of paper and stick it on your bedroom wall somewhere

http://www.amberture.com AquaAmber

My big goal at this point is to be a successful wedding photographer. The dream is to have amazing, fun couples fly me around the world to document their big day. Also, I’m totally sure this will happen, I just need to keep working.

http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Amber – I love it! What a great goal — you will totally make it happen, and I love that you’re sure of it too. You’re probably closer than you think already! And that would be so awesome to be flown around the world to document people’s weddings

http://twitter.com/felicelam Felice Lam

One of my life dreams is to attend each final of the tennis Grand Slam tournaments in the world (US Open, Wimbledon, French Open and Australian Open), not necessarily in the same year.
http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Sam – congrats on launching Yakezie! I think it’s awesome that you include a scholarship vertical — such a refreshing differentiator compared to all the other financial sites/blogs out there. You’ll get to 200 members in no time
http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

Alexis – thanks so much for stopping by! Fun to meet a fellow Chris supporter, and I look forward to keeping in touch!