Escape Average. Start. Now.


Lots of RV dreamers want to know how to make their road trip dream happen. There are many paths to get there, but only one way to begin.


You just have to Start. Reading, that is.

Jon Acuff’s new book, Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work that Matters is the trailhead for making your life-changing dreams a reality.

I just dove into this powerful book after receiving a press copy from the publisher and am so freekin’ excited as I read Acuff’s step-by-step guide to creating an extraordinary life, that I want to share this preview before I write an actual review.

This is more than a feel good motivational book, Acuff provides realistic steps you can take to get off your butt and stop making excuses about not living your dreams.

Whatever stirs your soul, from taking that extended road trip to creating a form of work that changes the world, this is required reading for hopping onto the train to awesome.

Here’s what I mean. Check out what Acuff has to say about coasting down the road to an average life, versus trailblazing your way into an extraordinary one that turns the world on its head:

“So why then do most people decide to travel down the average path?

The truth is, they don’t decide. The only thing you have to do on the average path is not die.

You graduate from high school or college and effectively shift into neutral. Sure, you’re not moving that fast, but you’re getting great gas mileage and you are making some progress, if you want to call it that. You’re definitely getting older and that means something, right? With age comes wisdom? Not necessarily.

Especially if you’re coasting. Eventually, you’ll roll your way right into the grave.

The average path is the easier of the two paths, and it’s dangerously comfortable. I spent many years on it without realizing I’d been there a week.

The awesome path?

It is dangerous too — but the good kind of dangerous. The kind of dangerous through which all great accomplishments must travel. On it are tall mountains, rocky walls, and even an occasional dragon. You’re going to get bloodies, your discipline will be tested, and your dreams will be challenged a thousand times over. But ohhhh, it is awesome.”

In Start, Acuff describes why it’s easy to get trapped in an average existence, until one day you’re 75 years old and look back with regret at all of your unfulfilled dreams.

“Billions of people have traveled and continue to travel the other path, and it grows wider every year. The terrain is easy — grassy even — and after a brief incline it follows a safe and steady decline that mostly allows for casual coasting.

It sounds nice. It feels effortless when you’re on it.

The trouble is that on this wide path, you don’t end up at awesome. You just end up at old. This path is called “average.”

Fear Not, You Can Start Today

I know you have dreams. You want to make them happen but you’re afraid. That’s OK! Fear is what keeps us on our toes, it reminds us we’re alive. If you aren’t feeling it, you aren’t living.

When you decide to step onto the path of awesome, you will be afraid.

Jim and I were poopin’ our pants when we turned the key and walked away from all that we had known in our old lives.

We asked ourselves self-defeating questions like: Would we end up broke and looking for jobs? What were we thinking, buying an RV and taking so much time off?

As free as we felt, deep down we were terrified. Six years later, that fear has worked in our favor as we continue doing what we love best, living a life we wouldn’t trade for anything. Yes, there are days we still feel fear knocking at our door, but now we have the tools to punch that fear in the face!

Are you ready to live life on your terms? What are you waiting for?

Just Start.

4 thoughts on “Escape Average. Start. Now.”

  1. I don’t know how I missed this post, but glad I checked back. One of the reasons I want to full time in my bus is to reduce my cost of living so I won’t be stuck in this job just to make ends meet. Then I can do things that matter like habitat for humanity.

    I will have to add this to my ever growing list to read.

    Reply
    • Hey Bill, you can definitely live the low-cost lifestyle when you live simply in a rig. It’s amazing how much time we give up just to pay for stuff like homes and cars and electronic crap. Once you have less stuff to maintain, and you don’t have debt, all of a sudden you have free time to go after the things that make your heart sing. I can’t wait to see where your journey takes you!

      And yes, the book is a great, quick read. Don’t miss it!

      Reply
  2. Hey Rene, thanks for sharing this. I think this might be the perfect read for my son right now (oh, and me too).
    Don’t know about you, but I’m tired of all this white stuff. It’s May after all, time for flowers not snow. Safe travels 🙂

    Reply
    • We are WAY tired of the snow too, Ingrid! We got 18″ on Tuesday and Wednesday. Ugh. Stay warm! Oh and I’m pretty sure your son will enjoy the book, it’s a great read and very motivational.

      Reply

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