Over the past few weeks, I have been asked several times what I mean by the phrase at the end of my tag line for my blog… “Adventure Capitalist”. The frequency of this requests as my blog readership grows is increasing proportionally. So I have decided to make my definition of the term the topic of tonight’s blog post in an attempt to head off any future queries at the pass.
As I sat down to formulate this post, I decided to see what the all knowing Google had to say about my tag line. Curious to see if I am as original as I perceive in the use of this phrase.
According to the top three responses (search string: ‘Adventure Capitalist’ definition), who where all in alignment with each other… my perspective of the term is not even close to its generally accepted use. According to investorwords.com it means:
An entrepreneur who helps other entrepreneurs financially, and often plays an active role in the company’s operations (such as by occupying a seat on the board of directors).
I am sitting here typing this sort aghast with my tag lines more formal definition. How I personally use the term, could not be farther from its generally accepted meaning.
To give you a little background about where my mind was when I first coined my version of the phrase. It was January 2009 and I was in month 7 of a walk-about around this planet (England, Germany, France, America, Mexico and Canada). Although I was still working a full time job, I was doing it from no fixed address via the internet and my cell phone. To add a bit more color to my mindset of the moment, I had just finished reading “Vagabonding” by Rolf Potts, and was half way through reading “The Four Hour Work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join The New Rich”, by Tim Ferris for the second time. Both books, like my lifestyle of the moment put a premium on time and mobility as the criteria for living a successful life.
The accepted definition of the word adventure is ( thefreedictionary.com ):
- An undertaking or enterprise of a hazardous nature.
- An undertaking of a questionable nature, especially one involving intervention in another state’s affairs.
- An unusual or exciting experience: an adventure in dining.
- Participation in hazardous or exciting experiences: the love of adventure.
- A financial speculation or business venture.
The accepted definition of the word capitalist is ( thefreedictionary.com ):
- A supporter of capitalism.
- An investor of capital in business, especially one having a major financial interest in an important enterprise.
- A person of great wealth.
I merged the 2nd definition of adventure — An unusual or exciting experience, and the 1st of capitalist –- A supporter of capitalism. I thought my version was text book. I was traveling around the world, living an adventure while being a firm supporter of capitalism, earning more money than 99% of all Canadians.
Although I am a little disturbed by the accepted meaning of the phrase, I am not thwarted by it. In the shadow of the largest financial calamity and the toughest job market since the great depression, I propose my definition of “Adventure Capitalist” as an alternative for the term. My spin putting less emphasis on money being the currency of capitalism but the ability to live a life with the time to participate in many great adventures.
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