Each year, I try to do something off-the-chain special for my birthday. This year it will be a flaming heart tattoo and this awesome guy as a coach.
Aside from any specific gifts, the biggest focus for me on my birthday is Appreciation. Appreciating all the wonderful blessings and people in my life. Especially appreciating my mom for giving birth to me (it’s called a birth-day for a reason, right?).
More than anything, this community at Illuminated Mind is one of the biggest blessings to me. I wake up thinking “Holy shit, I really get to do this every day?” I feel honored to be able to share my gifts with you, and it’s my hope that you get your gifts out into the world too. The world needs your gifts.
So, I want to give back to you.
Today and today only is…
Pay What You Can Day for Paid to Exist, Reclaim Your Dreams, and The Dojo
A lot of people were interested in Paid to Exist this last time I opened it. I received dozens of emails from people telling me that they would love to join, but they couldn’t afford it, even with the payment plan. That really sucks, because I want to help as many people as possible. And I don’t think that should hold you back from doing what you love and getting paid to do it.
So, for the rest of the day, until midnight Pacific Time tonight (because after that, it’s not my birthday anymore), I’ll be accepting offers on the Paid to Exist Trailblazer Membership, Reclaim Your Dreams, and The Dojo. (Thank you Naomi and Danielle for inspiring me to do this.)
If you want to make this happen and money has been getting in the way of it, now is your chance to pay whatever you can.
- Leave a comment below and make me an offer I can’t refuse (please include your email address).
- Once you make an offer, I will email you and send you a Paypal invoice.
- You can also pay by check if you prefer (I’ll send you the address).
- We can even set up a payment plan if you’d like – seriously, I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work for you.
(FYI: I reserve the right to refuse any ridiculous offers.)
Or… if you’d prefer not to make an offer publicly, you can email me privately here: [email protected] (I’ll be out drinking margaritas so I can’t be sure how long it will take me to respond).
So, do you want…
Paid to Exist for 60 bucks?
Want The Dojo for the lint in your pocket plus a jar of pickles?
The Reclaim Your Dreams “Everything Package” for $20?
Or maybe you want everything for $75.
Now’s your chance. You’ve probably been thinking about what’s getting in your way because of money for a while. Well, screw that. Now’s your chance to make me an offer and change that. I hope you take it.
I believe that every day should be a celebration, but this is an especially BIG one. This can be the time you start making that thing happen you’ve been dreaming about.
Again, thank you for being a part of my life. I’m incredibly grateful to know than I’m able to help people shine. My deepest wish today is that you shine, too.
So, leave a comment and let me know what you’d like. Happy birthday to us.
:)
Kristen Sloan says
Happy Birthday!! Have a great day – hope you eat some delicious cake!
I’m on a tight budget since quitting my full time job a couple months go, but I’d love to have Reclaim Your Dreams (just the ebook version) for $12. Plus, I’ll send you some homemade cookies – choc chip, oatmeal choc chip, or choc mint (your choice).
Thanks! Kristen
Eric Spain says
Happy Birthday Jonathon! :D I hope you are having a blast!
I would like to fully experience what Paid to Exist has to offer. I really wanted to buy it on release, but finding myself between jobs I haven’t had the cash.
My offer is: $50 for Paid to Exist and an option to pay the full remainder when it succeeds in helping me move my hobby into a paying income source.
My hobby is game programming, and I really want to move into making money from it, I’m just looking for that one last Dare-to-be-great step that I can take on and make my dream a reality.
Cara says
I really want Paid to Exist, but after a crazy month of vet bills and IRS bills, I can’t afford much. So here’s my proposal:
1 chocolate bundt cake that will blow you away with its deliciousness
1 pack of the best ginger snap cookies on earth
1 large bottle of homemade vanilla extract, guaranteed to knock your socks off (will take 2 months to make)
and
A free copy of my book This Is Not A Cookbook: Create Gourmet Meals Without Ever Using a Recipe and the Cooking Without a Recipe video lessons (releasing in November)
What do you say?
Kirsten says
Cara- I don’t know about Jonathan, but I’m sitting over here drooling and I totally just joined your list. Any chance you want to barter editing, hand-made jewelery or personalized productivity strategies for that book come November? :D
Brad says
I would love to have The Dojo for $15! What do you think?
Milt says
Happy Birthday Dude.
Full Respect for what your doing here.
Kirsten says
Happy Birthday! I think margaritas are an excellent way to celebrate. :)
There’s one week left in the month and $20 left in my budget for September, so if you asked today what I could offer, the answer would be “not much.” And that would be insulting to the work you’ve put into the products.
So… what about $20 a month for the next year, for all three? My income is pretty slim at the moment, but I ought to be able to sustain $20 a month. And ideally, that income should go up, right? ;)
Alissa says
Good for you !! This is a wonderful gift! Really great idea :)
Les says
Dear Jonathan,
First off, Happy Birthday and a heartfelt thank you for your kind reply to my email this morning and for taking the time.
I understand that in the Thai culture (and others), the person having a birthday is the one to treat their friends and family to a meal or gifts; and I commend your inspired version.
So, yes, I will gladly make an offer:
$100 for the Paid to Exist Trailblazer membership + a copy of The Dojo. And if you want to ponder this while having a few margaritas and maybe throw in a coaching session, that’s up to you…
Cheers!
Les
Amy T Schubert says
Happy birthday!! How exciting!!
Thanks so much for doing this. I’ve had my eye on Paid To Exist for awhile but haven’t been able to afford it.
I can only offer you $30, but I’ll make some birthday rice krispy treats in your honor if that will help :)
thanks again and happy happy birthday!
Jess says
I am totally SMITTEN with Cara’s barter idea!
Unfortunately I can’t make the astounding array of goodies she can, so monetary compensation will have to offset my offer.
For receiving Paid to Exist, I would love to offer:
-delectable coffee, s’mores, mint or classic chocolate chip cookies. Yes, all those cookies have been certified “tasty” in my test kitchen. (up to 3 dozen)
-$25
Matt says
I would be gratful to be on the receiving end of you generosity. My story is my story…but right now I can offer fifty bucks and being on your team. I sit in Union Square in NYC with two folding chairs and a table offering creative approaches to people. So I offer that as well.
best,
m
Sabine says
I’m offering $85 for everything. Keep up the good work and happy birthday!!! -Sabine
Angela says
Hi Jonathan ~ Happy Birthday! Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world. At this time, I can offer $25 for Paid to Exist and a promise to pay it forward
Sherrie says
Happy Birthday!
This is so kind of you! I’ve been wanting some of your stuff for awhile, but couldn’t afford it.
I can offer $10 for the ebook of Reclaim Your Dreams.
I hope you have a wonderful and awesome day!
Thank you,
Sherrie
Colby says
Thanks for doing this! You’re awesome and hope you have a smashing b-day!
I would love The Dojo for $35.00.
Andrew Shell says
I’d like the Paid to Exist program. In exchange I can do one payment of $99 and 5-10 hours of my PHP programming services. So if you need a WordPress plugin developed or some special functionality implemented on your website we can make it happen. If you have something specific in mind we can discuss and see if it’s something I can do.
rachael says
happy birthday!!!
i just watched your videos the other day and loved them. there was a lot that i found incredibly helpful and several things i have already begun to apply to my own business. but seeing as i already know what i want to do, i actually want this for my husband.
he has been unemployed for a year, no real luck on the job search front and he is starting to get really depressed about it all. almost hopeless. we have four children and his lack of work and the toll it has taken on him is really starting to impact us all.
i have found a career doing what i love to do and i want him to have that as well. obviously money is really tight, so i don’t have much to spend. and since you are the expert…i will leave it up to you to determine what products would be best for him. coaching, books, etc…just let me know what you think would be the most helpful. sadly, i can only offer you $10, but i can also put up a post for you on my blog.
enjoy your celebrations!
Kimmoy says
Happy Birthday Jonathan!!! How generous of you to do this, it’s freakin’ unbelievable.
If you’re so inclined, send me the invoice for Paid To Exist for $60 and I’ll be happy to follow along step-by-step and blog about it too. Oh and if you ever come to the DC area, lunch is on me!
Patrick says
Happy Birthday!
I have been following your Paid to Exist launch very closely but I have been saving as many pennies as possible because starting on Wednesday I am using nearly everything I have saved up to go on a 3 week backpacking trip to Europe.
With that said, I’d love to check out Paid to Exist and I could manage to scrape up something like $20-30.
Love your work, keep it coming!
Griffin Stewart says
Happy Birthday! Love this idea and promotion! Thanks for the generosity and opportunity. I’m on ebook purchase probation from my wife until some of my ideas and websites start making more money, but I would love to barter services for products. I am a graphic designer and would love to make you a custom Pages template(if you are an Apple user) for future ebooks or work with you on an an upcoming book cover or logo design. Feel free to check out my portfolio here:
https://jgriffinstewart.com
and my new site still in the works here:
https://thetravelingdesigner.com/
and let me know what you think
Not sure what your link posting policy is, so feel free to delete these after reading them.
In exchange I would like to get all your products, and if I propabky become an affiliate and promoter from our travel blog!;-)
have a happy birthday. Looking foreward to hearing from you.
Maciej Dudek says
Happy Birthday! Enjoy the Margaritas!
I would like to make an offer of $60 for Paid to Exist.
Thanks for the generous offer.
-m
Jasmine says
Happy Birthday!
It’s also my dear mother’s birthday today and I made her brownies because I couldn’t afford to buy her anything this year. Since you already have a lot of tasty goodies coming your way from the fine folks commenting here, I won’t offer you more. I will, however, say that I love the suggestion you made of $75 for everything, and though I can’t shell out the full amount right now, I can pay you $25 a month for the next three months.
It’s a very low sum of money for very high quality products that will undoubtedly contribute greatly to my overall satisfaction with my career, my life, myself. I can promise you this: when (not if) I get my kick-ass, paid-to-exist life rolling, I will know who to thank, and how to give back–and pay it forward.
Cheers to you for your amazing generosity-
Jasmine
sha?na says
hi jonathan – well, since pacing & utilizing ‘up’ time without leading to overwhelm (& sometimes paralysis)seems to be one of my biggest challenges, i would love to get my hands on The Dojo. with limited resources (mostly energy & money) i cannot offer much but i know (from reading your posts & tweets) that my $20 will go a long way in helping me do the things that matter more effectively.
oh, and happy birthday fellow libran!
Rob says
First of all, happy birthday!
My birthday is actually TOMORROW (Sept. 25th!), and this could not be a more timely post.
For the last year and a half, I’ve been struggling with myself trying to get started building the life of my dreams. I’ve made huge leaps in personal development and I’ve learned a great deal, but I haven’t been able to get started with building a freedom business or monetizing what I enjoy. I feel pulled in 300 directions at once by all the different opportunities out there — a severe case of analysis paralysis. A big part of that is that I’ve had a really hard time finding my “passion” — I have many diverse interests, and it’s hard to pick just one. The one toward which I lean most strongly is extremely competitive and difficult to monetize. I promised myself on July 4th, 2009 that I would quit my job on July 4th, 2010, and it didn’t happen because I’ve been stuck and overwhelmed.
Having read and enjoyed your awesome blog for over a year, I’ve seen your product launches and gotten excited along with you. I’m convinced that your courses are just the thing I need to focus my energy and get started, but I haven’t been able to afford to pay for them, and my ability to justify such a purchase goes down with each month that I do nothing instead of taking action. I would like to make this birthday different and mark the beginning of a new chapter, and to do that, I think your courses would be a fantastic starting point.
So now is the time. I’m taking action, and your incredibly generous offer to “pay what I can” has finally pushed me over the edge. And if I’m going to do this, I’m going to go whole-hog. While I would feel guilty making this offer on any other day, I was hoping we might exchange birthday presents this year. You gave me the idea in your post — $75 for everything — which just happens to be what I can afford right now. What do you say?
And when I succeed, I’ll be sure to buy you a drink.
Sharif says
Happy Birthday! And great promotion idea…
How about Paid To Exist and The Dojo for $79?
Meenu says
Hi Jonathan,
Wow thankyou for this increadible offer. I am a mother of 3 (we are a family of 5 plus my parents live with us also). I have been following your website for a while now. Finances are very tight right now but I have a dream to have my own successfull website. I’ve been learning and working on it on my own for the past 6 months or so but it’s been hard. I’m not giving up, I want to get paid to exist and be myself.
At this time all I can offer is $60 for paid to exist.
Please let me know if that is acceptable.
Again thankyou for this offer and a very happy birthday to you.
Meenu
Kapil says
Happy Birthday, Jonathan! May you catch all your dreams :)
Thank You for putting out such a great offer today – you’re the best.
I would like to have an Everything package – for $99 now. I don’t want to put a price on the knowledge – it’s priceless. But I promise that I will also pay it forward every year – and honor you every time I do.
Please … please … please make it happen for me today.
David Burch says
I would like take your suggestion and offer $75 for Everything (I mainly want Paid to Exist).
Curt Nelson says
Jonathan,
I just bought Paid To Exist on the $99 plan.
Maybe you can eliminate the next two $99 payments and throw in Reclaim Your Dreams “Everything Package” for $25
Curt
Ricardo Curtis says
Happy birthday Jonathan!
Thanks for this amazing gesture… how about the dojo for $30? Yes, no, maybe… let me know.
And would be cool to see your new tattoo, thinking about getting me another one as well:)
Ricardo
Nina says
Happy Birthday! The best way to have one’s birthday celebrated is to bless them with the gifts that one has. Every year, I offer a prayer and a candle for each of the friends i get in touch with on my special day. Reaching 46 candles this year!
May you have more of celebrations like this to come!
JJ says
Happy Birthday Jonathan!
What a great concept you have. I’ve been intrigued with your Paid to Exist, and after listening to your video, I’m working on Month 1 of my plan, though I’m sure I’ll be more successful with the details the entire program can provide.
My offer to you $49 for Paid to Exist, with the provision that when I make my first $100 (month 3 or earlier) I’ll send that over to you.
Enjoy your Margaritas!
Ryan says
Merry Birthday, Jonathan!
Congratulations to you and your wife on creating your dream. I’m looking to do the same however am finding myself stuck.
I would like to offer $60 for Paid to Exist. Look forward to hearing from you.
Cheers!
Ryan
Vic Williams says
Happy Birthday, Jonathan! I can offer you $50 for Paid to Exist, and a promise to pay it forward.
Brooklyn says
Happy Birthday Jonathan.
I was elated to receive your email for “Pay What You Cann Day”. The idea is brilliant and I will be sure to Tweet and Stumble it.
I little about me. I have been feeling the “life has to be more than this” thing since I entered my adult working life. I just knew that there was something more, and I was saddened by the notion that I must put away my dreams in order to make a living.
At 31 years old I still want to learn how to be a club dj, travel the world, learn how to break dance and beatbox, and possibly enter a fitness competition some day. Of course none of this can happen working the “9:00am-5:00pm” (which had actually ended up being the 7:30am – 8:30pm) so that someone, that I didn’t even know, could have their dream realized.
Well things have changed for me quite a bit. I am currently unemployed which gives me all the time I need to exploit my passions, but I have no income, so I have to spend my time spinning my wheels trying to figure out how to earn money to live and thrive. I have been searching for answers and only getting glimpses. I realized that I have many passions and feel that I can create the life I have always envisioned.
This is where your profound offer comes in. I would love to have the “Paid to Exist” course that you created. Obviously I don’t have a lot of money, so this is what I want to offer you:
I can pay $10/month for the next year, and at the end of the year I will pay an additional $300 on top of it.
If we could set it up this way I feel like it’s a win/win. I could use the course right now, and build up some funds with it. You would be able to recoup the full value of the course plus an extra $120 in interest for allowing me the opportunity to start now.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best Wishes,
Brooklyn Fisher
Karina says
Happy 25th!!! I’ve been a reader for the past year and it has motivated me to seriously consider and work towards my dreams.
This is an absolutely beautiful concept. Your energy and enthusiasm is infectious.
Don’t have an offer to make as of right now but once my financial situation improves, I’ll be first in line for The Dojo!
Rupali says
I will graduate from school next fall – with a six figure student loan debt.
Based on where I am right now, I would like each of the three products for $25 each. I really need to do something radical to get myself out of the hole – and “unlearn” what I learned at school. My conviction is that this offer will help me help myself.
Thanks Jonathan – and Happy Birthday!
Rudolf says
Happy Birthday Jonathan, I really would love to have the dojo for $20, I already have your ebook “Reclaim your dream” and am really more interested in your other projects. Carry on !
Sophia says
Happy birthday!!
This is such an amazing idea, thank you so much for giving us all the opportunity to put in an offer!
Well…I am living in Honduras at the moment so no baked goods from me! Also, I am still in poverty stricken writer mode so sorry if this is not a great offer…
My offer is, for all 3 packages
$20 per month for 8 months starting in Jan(have to go and visit my family for Christmas so until then every penny counts!)
also…a series of keyword optimized video testimonials for each product
2 for reclaim your dream
3 x for Dojo
1 x per month for paid to exist
Thanks again for the opportunity and for all the inspirational emails…
Have a fun birthday!
Chad says
OK, you’ve got me. No excuses now that money’s not the issue. How about The Dojo and Reclaim Your Dreams “Everything Package” for $54.00?
Happy Birthday!
Lindsey says
Happy Birthday Jonathan! I had my eye on Paid to Exist but there was no way I could afford it right now. How about 30 bucks now, and then I’ll send over a hundred when I finally make it via my passion project?!
incubus says
Hello jonathan and happy birthday !!!
i don’t use to buy stuff on internet but i have found your site with twitter, lot of people seems to love what you do :)
I wish know you and your work so i take a chance to get your product :)
I would like to have Everything for 75$
Perahaps it’s a ridiculous offer for you but not for me sadly, i don’t want you to think it’s the cost i see your products it’s just all i can offer :(
Let me know if it’s ok for you
and sorry for my english and happy birthday again :)
Wojtek says
Happy Birthday Jonathan!
Looks like with this post you’re making many peoples dreams come true, so I wish the same to you ;)
I’d really love to join the Paid to Exist program! But I think it works best with The Dojo included, right? :) What do you say about 40$ for two months, making it 80$ total? I’m a 21yo photography student, so I’ll also send you a photo gift!
Greetings!
Wojtek
RoByn says
Hi Jonathan,
I’d really love the whole enchilada, I’ve been trying to machinate my finances to make it happen but it hadn’t yet. Thanks for the opportunity! I could do $10/monthly for the rest of the year and/or send you some original artwork.
Hope you’re having a great day!
Excited about the re-invention process,
RoByn
Ivan Campuzano says
Feliz Cumpleanos amigo, this is a great Idea. I am currently making a part time income online but looking to take it to the next level. I would love the dojo and paid to exist for $75. Look forward to hearing from you, and enjoy your bday…many blessings to you.
Richie says
I know this would be too much to ask. But can I have Reclaim Your Dreams Everything Package for $10?
If it’s not a good idea, maybe just the e-book.
Thanks!
Aaron says
Thanks man, this is really gracious of you! I was really bummed I was going to miss out at regular price.
I like JJ’s plan: $49 +$100 when my first new job comes in before the end of 2010.
Thanks again and happy birthday … enjoy the invincible karma!!!
Aaron says
Oops.. that was for the Paid To Exist program btw. :-)
Jason Dudley says
Hey Johnathan,
Been reading your blog for about 1.5 years now and have loved to watch it’s progression over this time. Happy birthday btw! :)
I was watching when all of the above products were launched and I would have bought them if funds were not an issue.
I think Paid to Exist is the most relevant for me right now. I have a hobby (blogging about travel among other things) that I’d like to turn into a very small business. I’m a poor student at the moment but I’ve calculated that I can afford $50 for Paid to Exist and I will throw in my promise that if it can help me to take my hobby to the next level, then I will remember you and pay you the rest of the product price at a later date (+ maybe even a little something extra too).
Let me know what you think and enjoy your birthday.
Jason Dudley
Kay Mack says
Happy Birthday, Jonathan, and thanks to your mom for giving you to the world.
Gifting to others on your birthday brings you such good karma, and for me presents more evidence of some divine intervention into my life at this point.
Unlike most of your other fans, I am already retired ~ from two different careers that I grew to hate. I’m ready to live my authentic life right now. The process has begun with my serving as a hospice volunteer. My heart tells me there is more waiting, so I would love to purchase the Everything Package of Reclaim Your Dreams for 3% of my monthly SS check = $24.00.
May the next year of your life bring you joy abundantly!
@sodaly says
happy 25!
what a great way to share your gifts!
i would love to receive the whole kit & kaboodle for $75 (Paid to Exist, Reclaim Your Dreams, and The Dojo) AND do a custom art/collage piece for you -or- offer a bit of my graphic design services and do a banner or promo ad for you.
love this!
best wishes / sophia
Jeanie says
Aww…how’d you know I have lint in my pockets? ;)
Since I already purchased PtE…how about the um..kick my ass to the moon package for 2 jars of pickles, freezer strawberry and/or mango jam and partnering on the neo-hippie movement? I’ll use agar agar for the jell.
I’m looking at getting certified in the B/coach program on the recommendation of an esteemed colleague & can bring quite a lot to the table. :)
Stephanie says
I want all three. And if I can’t have that, I want either Paid To Exist or Reclaim Your Dreams.
In return? I will give you and the entire world the gift of me pursuing my dreams, and letting the story I’ve always sensed inside of me be lived. I will dedicate myself completely to my passion and my truth using all the resources available and then some. And you will always have my profound gratitude for being who you are and for being so generous. Not only that, but I will make damn sure that me pursuing my dreams will benefit the world in some significant way. And I will live with love in my heart for the rest of my days and nights (though i plan on doing that anyways).
That, plus forty dollars, and kickass birthday cards and christmas cards for years to come. I’m an artist so you KNOW they’ll be good.
Annndd I’ll send you free stuff of whatever I end up making in terms of art, services etc.
PLEASE!
Nicole J C says
Happy Birthday!!
Id love Reclaim your dreams, everything package with worksheets, for $10. Thanks so much :)))
Stephanie says
P.S., happy birthday. =]
Jeff says
Happy Birthday Jonathon! I already have Reclaim Your Dreams and I would love to add Paid to Exist and The Dojo to my e-library. You were generous to suggest all three for $75.00, so how about adding the two I am missing for the same price. Or maybe substituting How to Kick Your Own Ass for RYD. This may be the information that gets me out of my dead end job and headed toward a more exciting life. Thank you!
Karilee says
Happy birthday, Jonathan!
I’ve already launched, without enough capital which makes cash flow rough, so I’ve done without Paid to Exist thus far. However, since you’ve offered, I’d love to take you up on your generous birthday present.
I can come up with $60 for Paid to Exist if you can wait about 10 days to do the deal. Sigh.
P.S. NICE abs! Tattoo looks good too!
P.S.S. There’s a link to the picture on Twitter, folks. Go peek!
Anne Samoilov says
Happy Birthday!
I’ll take a cue from your post and say what about everything for $75?
Thanks so much for making such an amazing offer.
I love your energy in the videos and am glad your email found me at this right time.
I’m especially interested in your Paid to Exist program.
I’ll even give you a pilates session (I teach) since it looks like you live in SoCal.
Have a great night out,
Anne
Jonathan Browne says
Hi Jonathan Mead, Jonathan Browne here.
I made a half hearted attempt to get the last give away you offered when you did the Paid to Exist product launch.
This time i’m going to give a much more passionate response.
I’d like to offer $50 for everything. I need the other $50 for some domain names and hosting. I just recently made $100 because I put up a post with a free camtasia video on warriorforum describing how to get social media traffic and someone offered me a gig making 10 1-3 minute videos for them for $100 and a mentoring skype call.
I feel like this would be a fantastic way to flip that money into my increased ability to create value. I am currently working on sites for three different niches which I strongly feel will be profitable as well as my blog which is the website I put here.
I have been looking on and watching people making lots of money with the internet for years now and I have decided it’s time to really step up and actually make it happen.
About this time last year I was setting forth on a journey across the country that I made with only $200 and a Toyota corolla. I lived for about 6 months traveling from Massachusetts to Florida, down I-10 through New Orleans, Texas, into New Mexico, spending weeks in Sedona Arizona, then a couple weeks in Vegas selling crystals with a cool lady I met in Sedona (no not crystal meth. http://www.quantumbalancecrystals.com), and culminating in a west coast adventure that started in San Francisco and lead me to Santa Cruz California where I met a beautiful and incredibly talented musician, a girl named Sierra, with whom I ended up traveling to Olympia washington, living there for about four months.
She had about 5 thousand dollars from working on a mountain in Santa Cruz (i’ll let you guess what she was doing). So we lived off that and I searched for a job. Then she decided to put her somewhat newly acquired bachelors degree to use and teach English in Asia. I really enjoyed living in Olympia (they have an incredibly interesting music scene and I was starting to make amazingly cool friends) and I had just managed to get a job. Unfortunately, Sierra had a show (she played sax and was a solo singer/songwriter/guitarist) the night before she got on a plane at 5 am. I had work that day, so I didn’t get to see her until after the show, which was about 12 pm. So naturally, we were going our separate ways and we stayed up until about 4 am having sex, talking, etc you know the things lovers do haha ;-). I set my alarm, or I thought I had set my alarm. Turns out I didn’t and I woke up about 2 hours after work had already started. When I went in I was fired immediately. This was a terrible blow because I had just managed to arrange to live in a new apartment, with a few cool enough seeming roommates, in a good location and for a good price. It was at this point reflecting on how I had never liked working for someone else, I decided I never really wanted to work at a job again. So I swallowed my pride, sold my car, and bought a plane ticket back home to mass to live with my parents.
That was in December. Since December I ended up with another girl, this time a girl I had wanted for years and finally got, only for the relationship to go spiraling down in a sudden crash and burn because neither one of us really were in control of our lives. It was at this point that the message dug into me. It was time to take powerful action towards my goals. I realized I couldn’t spend my time just chasing woman, and fun times.
So I have been hard at work pretty much around the clock identifying the niches I wanted to conquer and creating a plan to do so, as well as devouring books and websites on internet marketing and advertising.
Ultimately my true dream is to become a famous rapper and own my own record label. I am extremely talented and have written and recorded a number of great songs but you need to be able to invest a lot of money into yourself as an artist or convince someone else to, which can lead to your career being controlled by others. This internet marketing thing is a passion for me, and a stepping stone to a greater passion.
I really think there is no one in the world who will take Everything you have written and translate it into more value. Please sell it to me for $50, I will always remember and appreciate that gesture.
Jon.
Charles says
Happy Birthday, young man!
I’m almost 50 and have taken many leaps toward freedom. Your material has caught my sails with a huge gust of inspiration and enthusiasm! I feel I’ve always had the passion within, without the know-how to implement. Consequently, I’ve burned through nearly all my financial resources, still feeling miles away from my goals. In fact, I’ve come to a bit of a crisis about whether I should continue… but have found a beacon of hope in your material.
If you would be willing to exchange all 3 programs in exchange for 3 monthly payments of $25, I would be honored to cite your programs as key elements to my future success!
In Earnest,
Charles
Christy says
Happy Birthday, Jonathan! I’ve been intrigued by the Dojo and Paid to Exist for awhile, and I seriously need to get my ass in gear… I’ve been “trying” to open an online store to sell my artwork all year, and always putting things off. This weekend I told myself I’d finally stop “trying” and DO – and seeing your offer here is getting me all excited :)
I can offer you $40 and a print of one of my paintings from my soon-to-be-opened store (sneak peek of some of the choices on my blog). If that’s cool with you? I’d offer baked goods like some of the ladies did above, but I’m afraid they’d be gone before they ever make it out of the house!
Hope your birthday & the next year is wonderful!
Monalisa says
Happy Birthday Mr. Meadster,
Here’s the deal-
$60 + next 3 months of an ‘Odds and Ends’ mystery package, which may include: books, dvds, raw key lime pie, and/or artwork.
What I want? Paid to Exist.
I find you have a genuine voice when it comes to helping others. And it’s exactly the jump start I need to just… finally feel free and breathe.
Have a fantastic one
Geoff Hetherington says
Happy Birthday!!
Love your stuff but the $$’s – nah scrub that my troubles are mine to deal with…How about $100 USD for the lot??
Ross says
Happy Birthday Jonathan!
I’d love to make an offer of The Reclaim Your Dreams pack for $10 + Paid to Exist videos for $19 bucks ($29 total). Going through some tight times.
Thanks for considering the offer, best of luck to you
-Ross
Jamie Thompson says
Happy birthday, Jonathan! Thank you so much for offering a “pay-what-you-can” special today. I propose paying $100 for all three products, paid in four $25 installments. I’m a single mom in Boston, currently earning less than $18K a year working part-time as a church administrator for a progressive UCC church. I’m also in the start-up phase of a new massage therapy and bodywork business (www.redlotusmassage.com), and will be offering pay-what-you-can “Good Karma” rates to low-income clients. I’m confident that I’ll learn a lot from your products, and will definitely do my part to “pay it forward,” along with all of the other people who have responded to your generous offer.
Matt says
I can drop $10 for the dream book at the time :)
J. Alexander says
happy birthday man, great idea..
ok, I’ll trade you:
-every album my band has ever released
-a latte at groundwork (you can choose venice or sunset location)*
-and birthday lunch at Real Food Daily*
..for the whole she-bang, enchilada thingy bob. I like what you are doing here.
*includes kick ass conversation
Mark Takacs says
Hey,
Heard about you over at AQuietMind.com and liked what I heard. I’m wondering if this is a little premature for me tho, as I’m feeling as if I’m a bit confused and lost as to what I’d even do with all this empowerment. Which makes me think that this even more of something that I need!
I’m amazed by your generous offer of a gift ON your birthday, instead of a gift *for* your birthday.
How does $100 for all three parts of the package sound? tho I’m most keen on the ‘Reclaim Your Dreams’, as that sounds like where I should start (I hope it helps identify dreams too). But having an opportunity to unlock your other gifts seems like its too good to pass up.
I hope you are enjoying your new birthday tattoo.
Happy Birthday and keep on illuminating!
Chris says
Happy Birthday Jonathan! I would the deal for everything at $75 :)
Elle B says
Many happy returns Jonathan! I’d just like to reserve THE DOJO at its current price until I can pay (next Wednesday). Thanks!
Galina says
Happy Birthday!
I guess I’m a little late :)
but thank you for such a generous offer!
If I wasn’t late, I would pay $50 for “pay to exist”, but since it’s 1am – I just want to wish you all the best and more business to come!!
+ (sorry for being a little selfish) – I would wish myself to finally get a job (other than stay-at-home-mom-and-part-time-student), so I can pay the full price :))
Happy Birthday!
Lana says
I can offer you $30 for everything. I know I’m late, and I hope you will consider this offer. Thanks for making it, even if I don’t get accepted.
Ruben Berenguel says
Happy birthday!
Probably it is too late to pay whatever I feel like for The Dojo… I was interested since I saw it in Fabian’s blog, but already thought it was too pricey for its length (would gladly pay 10€-14€ for it without problems any day!). I also found Paid to Exist very interesting (albeit pricey, maybe not that much), problem is, too much work these days would keep me from getting all value from it.
Cheers,
Ruben
Alan says
Hi Jonathan
Happy Birthday ! Your offer is extremely kind.
I can offer a total of $40 for ‘Paid to Exist’ and ‘Reclaim Your Dreams’
I hope this is ok ?
Best Wishes
Alan
dileepa lawrence hewa says
Hello Jonathan!
Greetings & wishes for you on your great day from SriLanka.
Very much appreciate you geature.
How about a total of $75 for everything paid in three months ($25 each) starting from January 2011.
Success Always.
dileepa
Chris Britton says
Awesome idea! Happy birthday.
I’d love “everything for $75” please!
Tony says
Money really is tight for me right now. I can give you 40 bucks. What I would like, is all three of course, but I also don’t want to make things unfair for you.
I would like, at minimum, to have access to the Dojo. In the past two years, my life has become so much better through LD. Yet I still need improvement in a lot of areas. Being motivated and getting off my lazy butt is probably the biggest. I have all these wonderful ideas, yet I can’t implement them.
Also, I do understand that it is after midnight, so a little forgiveness would be appreciated. Just heard about this.
I can pay $75, but that would have to be in weekly payments of $25.
I hope you see I’m not being cheap but just realistic. And at the end, I’m asking YOU what you think is the best program/financial offer that is best for my situation.
–Tony
PS
The reason I’m broke is because I am starting my own business!
PPS
Happy birthday
robyn says
wow, what a huge thing to do for your birthday! here’s my offer –
* $75 for all three, paid next Thursday when i get paid
* a hand-knit hat, scarf or fingerless mitts, your choice and in whatever colors/pattern you’d like. i’d have it ready to send to you within two weeks of deciding on what you want knit.
Jeanie says
@Jamie Have you looked at Hellerwork or Reiki? Mountainroseherbs.com has amazing therapeutic grade massage/essential oils :)
@jonathan browne I love your story-it resonates on a comedy of errors & passionate scale. Have you considered writing a movie script?
@christy I’ve heard Shopify is very easy & awesome.
Jonathan! Water water this morning if you’re like me :) I’m *not* trying to hijack your beautiful birthday gift-I wanted to encourage/help a few who had vibrant stories + actionable steps posted publically. If this is inappropriate, feel free to delete please!
Mal says
¡¡Feliz Cumpleaños!!
Hi! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I’m from Argentina. I read your blog since a month maybe. And must to say that I find it very inspiring.
I searched for similar blogs on internet, but writen in spanish. I found that we (the spanish speakers) don’t have nothing like this. Out there there aren’t blogs like this, Zen Habits or Chris Guillebeau’s blog.
So I started to plan to launch one.
Un abrazo!
Jonathan Ziemba says
I agree with Milt Full Respect for what your doing here.
Speechless, I did a quick calculation of the $
Sum: $2,647.00
Average was $49.00
Jonathan send me the bill for Karina and Richie’s products and if Elle B’s request is not fulfilled send me that one too.
Micki McNie says
Serendipity amazes me once again. I got here via Productive Flourishing’s link to the Dojo page and decided to see what you were all about. And wow, it’s your birthday and you are giving me the chance to get the help I need but can’t afford right now. Thank you.
I’ve had the gift of a year of unpaid unemployment to explore my creative side and finally know that I want to help ordinary people with extraordinary dreams make the leap from inspiration to action. Coaching people has always been my party trick it never occurred to me I could get paid for it. Meanwhile I’m selling furniture for grocery money.
My offer:
The Dojo for the use of my voice on the project of your choice. (www.mickimcnie.com). Turn an ebook into an audio book? Music project? A friend who needs ad voiceover? Let’s talk.
When my own coaching practice takes off I promise to
1. write an awesome review for the Dojo
2. provide a scholarship for someone else.
3. always have sliding scale coaching available to those who can’t afford it (that’s been my plan all along particularly since I want to work with the recovery community)
No matter what, I’m glad I stopped by. Keep spreading the good word!
Micki
JennyB says
I missed the deadline >.<, just reading this now, but wanted to wish you a happy belated birthday! Thanks again for all you do…your work is truly inspiring.
I'll keep saving my pennies for PTE!
With peace and b-day wishes of bliss,
Jenny
Christopher Massey says
Jonathan,
I just came across your site, directed to it by Lisa at https://www.volunteeringvagabond.com/ (which I also just discovered). Am I too late?
I am currently casting off the shackles of my previous life, embracing a nomadic lifestyle as I figure out my next steps. I’ll be living out of my car and hammock for a while, and money will be a little tight. I know I’m late, but just in case you decide to extend the offer, I can do $25 now and $25 in a month.
Let me know,
C.
Christopher Massey says
Btw, I’m also a writer and photographer. I’m blogging my travels at
https://selfmockery.wordpress.com
Forgot to mention that, and don’t see an option to edit my comment.
Thanks,
C.
Armen Shirvanian says
Hi Jonathan.
I had not reported back about this and wanted to send a happy birthday message to you. Not only do you have some 1XXXX supporters, but you know yourself better than most.
Cool idea there about the “pay what you can”.
Lach says
It’s really touching to see the sincerity in these responses; and, while Jonathan’s a generous guy, some of the offers seem… optimistic. But if someone out there really needs a leg-up, I’m offering to sponsor one person, of Jonathan’s choosing to Paid to Exist (or whatever) by making up any difference between what they can pay, and what Jonathan is willing to accept. My way of paying it forward.
Adam says
Hey Jonathan,
Listened to a podcast today while doing the grocery shopping and you were the one being interviewed. Your message inspired me so I looked you up when I got home and noticed this post. So a big Happy Birthday from Australia.
With the time difference I am not sure if I missed the deadline but I would happily pay you $150 for How To Get Paid to Exist and the Dojo guide if it’s still available.
If not then that’s cool too, I’ve been checking out some of your posts here (before coming up with a figure) and they’ve brightened my day anyway so thank you for doing what you do.
Keep up the great work and I will be back to visit your site again.
neo says
i dont have any money to pay, can i have this program free of cost…
CathyP says
Hey Jonathan,
Happy (now belated!) birthday wishes.
I’m in a info ‘cleaning up’ phase (which I know you would approve of). So, even though your writing and your products are magical, I am asking for nothing other than that you have a great 25th year (or should that be 26th year??).
Cathy
MB says
I am interested in reading your work and see if it would be of value to me.
Not sure how much I can offer (not working right now) but how about $20 for a sample of what you are about; if I find it of value, I’ll buy some of the other products.
Thanks
MB
PRAVESH says
SEND ME THE WHOLE COURSE AND I WILL PAY YOU THE FULL PRICE WHEN I BECOME SUPER RICH
Alison says
Hello Jonathan,
I came a cross you and your site while seeking some inspiration and direction. And now I am a newsletter subscriber.
Have been unemployed since July 2009, and interviews since have all been kind of depressing, like a square peg in round hole. Just don’t think I can be in a corporate environment anymore. And I want to do something that is of value to others, and (finally) allows me to the real me to breathe, thrive and spread my wings.
I entered into blogosphere last November, contributing posts on social media), then a travel blog on past experiences just to get hands-on experience from back end to front end. All with no intention of being a full-time, money-making endeavor.
But I think I may have an idea that might combine my passions, and a modest living.
If possible, I would appreciate the support of The Dojo to help me stay focused and on track … And use my time and energy wisely, so not miss opportunities that come my way. :)
Hoping $30 is not an insulting offer.
Above all: Happy, Happy Birthday!
Alison
Jen says
Hi Jonathon, Happy birthday and I’m sorry I missed this when it arrived. I live in the city of public holidays (Canberra) and this was one of them, so have just got back from a holiday weekend.
Your offer is so generous, it makes me feel very humble. If the offer is still open, Reclaim Your Dreams speaks to me as being very relevant to my life right now. I can manage $15. I would love to move away from a soul-destroying, poorly paid job without putting my family at financial risk, and most of the time this feels like an impossible goal.
Thank you for your work.
Jonny | thelifething.com says
Happy Birthday mate.
Kiko says
Jonathan,
You’re making a very generous offer. I’d love to be part of the Paid to Exist program and I’ll take any discount you provide if I can keep the payments down to under $30 per month until paid off.
Oh, and happy birthday!
Alison says
Hello Jonathan,
If possible, I would appreciate the support of The Dojo to help me stay focused and on track … And use my time and energy wisely, so not miss opportunities that come my way. :)
Hoping $30 is not an insulting offer.
Above all: Happy, Happy Birthday!
Alison
Israel H. Marcotte says
Happy birthday Jonathan = )
David says
You just turned 25! Wow thanks for making me feel old! Very creative idea. Happy birthday as well.
Nea | Self Improvement Saga says
I just want to congratulate you on what you’ve done here. It’s so wonderful to see that you’re giving on your birthday. People are often so concerned with themselves that they forget their duty as a part of humanity–to help each other. But you stepped outside of that box. Kudos to you!
DM Cook says
Happy birthday Jonathan! I’m REALLY interested in Pay to Exist, but I’m between jobs and starting up a blogging career so I don’t have much. Hoping $30 isn’t a horribly insulting price for Paid to Exist and Reclaim Your Dreams… However, if you’d be willing, I’m sure I’ll have more money to send along soon!
Ruben Berenguel says
After reading ‘The Dojo’ I’m disappointed at myself for not offering 100€ more to get ‘Get paid to exist’, too. I should have thought about that!
Ruben
Steven H says
This is a really cool thing you are doing Jon! Although it’s been a week or two since your birthday I’d like to wish you a happy belated!
Jeff says
Oops! I mis-typed my email address. Too many h’s. I hope its not too late. I will send an email in case you don’t see this. Happy birthday again, Jeff