What a year it has been! When 2010 started, I had no idea that I would be starting a travel blog, that I would be visiting 7 new countries, and that I would be meeting so many new friends on the travel community. This year has been wonderful and it marks the start of a new phase in my life that is driven by doing what I love, travel, and by the desire of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Looking Back
This year was full of travel. Among some of the highlights… I ate the best waffles in Brussels, experienced life in Amsterdam, was marveled by Berlin’s history and architecture, took a look at Poland’s WWII past, and enjoyed the bohemian and cultural scene of Prague.
I also had the chance to enjoy one of the most challenging experiences in my life… hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru. I visited and sandboarded at an Oasis for the first time in my life and did some Canyoning and Caving in Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.
For those of you who are new here, this blog was officially started in April 2010. You can read some background of its startup here. Honestly, I had no idea how successful a travel blog could be, so I started it without specific goals or expectations. I just went for the ride. But the least I can say is that it has been way better than what I had in mind a travel blog could be. And whom do I thank for that… YOU! Thank you for being here and for showing your support!
Here are the top 5 posts during 2010:
- 24 Hours in Prague, Czech Republic
- 15 Things You Don’t Need To Pack
- 7 Buildings You Should See When In New York City
- Mount Everest: A Climbing Challenge For Any Adventurer
- Weekly Snapshot: European Guerrilla Art
In 2010 I had the opportunity to meet dozens of travelers and bloggers that have inspired me in many ways. Here are a couple of bloggers I’ve had the chance to meet here in NYC:
Jeannie Mark of Nomadic Chick – @nomadicchick Alisha Miranda of Makeshift Alisha – @makeshiftalisha Julie Schwietert of Collazo Projects – @collazoprojects Spencer Spellman of The Traveling Philosopher – @spencerspellman Teresa Gotay of Art of Backpacking – @AOBteresa Anthony Milotic and Elise Reeks of Positive World Travel – @positivetravel Aaron Heflich of Aaron’s Worldwide Adventures – @adventurousnessThey’ve all been great. I’m glad to have met them and look forward to meet again and to collaborate in the future… and look forward to meet many of you in the near future!
Looking Forward
As most of you know I look forward to achieve a location independent lifestyle, so 2011 looks like it’s going to be the year where most of it will develop and happen, right before I head out on the Round the World trip. My main goals in 2011 is to become economically sustainable without depending on a 9-to-5 and by doing what I love, to improve and focus my vision and message, to inspire others to live life to the fullest and to not be afraid of change.
I started this blog without any goals or metrics. Being new to this scene, I wasn’t sure of what was possible and achievable. Now, since I see this blog as a business, I would like to start 2011 by establishing some goals I would like to achieve by the end of 2011. These are:
4,000 Twitter followers 2,000 Facebook “Likes” 25,000 monthly visitors 1,000 RSS subscribers 500 Email Newsletter subscribers over $1,000 per month from advertising and affiliates and, of course, meet more great travel bloggers while on the road or while they visit NYC.Travel wise, for the moment I’m looking to do a few road trips in the U.S., going to TBEX in Vancouver, and visiting Puerto Rico every now and then. But, I’m always looking to expand and change these plans as time passes.
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!! May 2011 be a year of happiness, peace, and prosperity!
Cheers! Norbert .What about you? What are your goals for 2011? Where would you like to travel, what would you like to achieve?
Image by Horia Varlan from Flickr’s Creative Commons.
So honored to be mentioned in this post. Congrats on all your success this year – you deserve it all! Can’t wait to reunite this next month to brainstorm more ways to take over the world, especially as latinos!
You’ll need to teach me a few things about design too
Felizidades, Norbert!
Thanks Alisha! Likewise to you on your success! Yes, looking forward to brainstorm our “secret” plan to take over the world!!
Sure, I’ll teach you a few things about design…
Happy New Year!
Thanks so much for the mention Norbert! It was fantastic to meet you as well! Sounds like you had a fantastic year too! Here’s to 2011 being even better!
Hey Aaron. So nice to see you here, and it was great to meet you! Happy New Year and cheers for an even better 2011!
Congrats on an awesome 2010! Looking forward to following more of your adventures in 2011…
Thanks Jill! 2010 was awesome and I’m looking forward for 2011 to be even better! Wish the same to you! Happy New Year!
sound slike 2011 is one of proper domination. look forward to reading about it, and good luck with reachingyour goals!
Thanks Jamie! Yes! Proper domination in 2011 and more adventures to come! I wish you the same, and look forward to keep reading about your journey.
Norbert, looks like you had a great year. I didn’t do any traveling in 2010 but that is changing this year. Happy New Year and cheers to an AMAZING 2011!!!
2010 was a great year! Oh, I know that you are going to travel a lot this year. So exciting! Really looking forward to read about your travel adventures. Costa Rica is right at the corner! Happy New Year Jaime, and to an Amazing 2011!!
I was so surprised to read you’ve only been around since April, the blog is already so amazing. I started a few months before you but doesn’t it seem like it’s been forever.
Thanks Ayngelina! Haha… Blogging time tends to take another dimension and feel like forever… even when it’s been just a couple months.
Good stuff, Norbert. I think this is a great time to look back and take inventory of what worked and what didn’t. I’m setting definite goals for myself this year as well.
Thanks Renee! Looking back its good to see all that we have accomplished and a good base to set up goals. Looking forward to your 2011 goals and to keep seeing your site grow!
Happy New Year! Look forward to hearing about your travels in 2011!
Happy New Year Mark! Looking forward to your share of adventures too!
We feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet you (virtually) and look forward to connecting in person in 2011.
Regarding those goals… we have no doubt you will exceed those. Happy New Year. We wish you more than you have dreamed for yourself.
Yes, It’s been definitely a pleasure virtually meeting you during 2010… and I’m pretty sure we’re gonna have the chance to meet in real life in Vancouver. Thanks Kent and Canaan! Look forward for a great 2011 for all of us!
Ambitious goals. Best of luck and I’ll be following your progress. Glad to connect this past year.
Thanks Ben! Setting those ambitious goals will drive me to do the best I can.
I too am glad to have connected with you during this past year… looking forward to meet in person!
It sounds like you have been to a lot of great places this year! I wish you the best in achieving your 2011 goals! I think your site is great and think you will have no problem making your dreams a reality. Happy New Year!
Thanks Christy! With no doubt, 2010 was a great year and I’ll do my best so 2011 ends up being better.
You guys seemed to have an awesome year too!! Really looking forward to see what you have for 2011… I’m sure it will rock! Happy New Year!
Happy new year and congrats on having such a successful year. To 2011!
Happy New Year Amy! Thank you so much!! To 2011!
Congrats on a great year of blogging and travel! I am reading a book now that talks about the hike on the Inca Trail and how demanding it is! Congrats on that accomplishment because it doesn’t seem like it is easy to go!
Thanks Jeremy! Yes, the Inca Trail is pretty demanding, physically and mentally, but I’m sure anyone that is determined to do it can accomplish it without any problem. You should try it one day.
Cheers for a great 2011!
Great goals- we are putting ours down too and can’t wait to rock 2011! Happy we met and would love to meet IRL!
Happy we met too and looking forward to meet in real life! Looking forward to see your goals and I’m ready to rock 2011 with you guys!
Nice post – and what a year!
Thanks Robin! It definitely was a great year!
Great post Norbert and good luck with your goals. Very achievable and I know you will do it! 2011 is your year. it has been great meeting you online and I look forward to meeting you in person one day. Until then I will continue to be inspired by your work online
Thanks Caz! Looking forward to reach the levels you guys have reached in such a short period of time. Likewise, it has been great connecting with you, and I’m sure we will meet some time in the future! Until then, Let’s keep inspiring ourselves through our posts and experiences.
Que bueno! You have accomplished so much this year and I can imagine the upcoming year will only bring so much more. Thank you so much for the mention
Thanks Teresa! Looking for this year to be great!
those are def goals you can reach!
Nice post, It’s already almost february but I wanted to stay that 2010 was also a great year for me. I went to the Caribbean and I fell in love with the culture over there. Let’s see what 2011 is bringing us!
Hey, great blog! I like that you wrote your goals making it clear what you want – tweeted, clicked, liked, stumbled, followed, etc
If you’re coming as far as Vancouver you need to plan an extra few days to visit the Sunshine Coast, and in particular, my hometown of Egmont, Home of the Skookumchuck Rapids.
Hey Heather! Thank you so much, nice to see you around!
Thanks for the Sunshine Coast tip. Just by reading the word “Rapids” made me very curious! I’ll make sure to check on it.