Most of my life I’ve worked in high powered executive jobs. Power dressing, power speaking and power working – all of which came with a powerful lot of stress. I was in my mid thirties, sitting in another corporate office, beavering away for a six-figure salary I was never going to have the time to enjoy. I wanted freedom, freedom like I’d never had. Freedom from the grind of daily life, freedom from slaving away to pay the bills and, most of all, freedom to enjoy some of my time before I completely ran out of time to enjoy!

I’ve always been the guy in the office that people go to if something needs to be written or edited. I was pretty certain that, if I honed my skills a bit, I could hit the road, and still keep food on the table. So, I started casting my net in the direction of the multitude of online freelancing sites that have sprung up over the last few years. I also booked a one way ticket to South East Asia, quit my job, wrapped up my various business interests, and sold all my belongings.

My first job was a 2,500 word e-book on raising Silkie Bantam Chickens. Not something I had a lot of experience in but I cracked it out and the client liked it. The rest, as they say, is history. I have now traded my life in the west for life in the east. I live in a cottage at a beach resort with the South China Sea about 10 feet from my door. I spend much more time walking my two dogs than I do sitting in conference rooms (I can’t even remember the last time I wore long pants).

The greatest part is that I got my time back. Making the move away from the corporate world and into the world of the freelance writer has enabled me to cap my working day at four hours, reclaim my weekends, and focus on what really matters. It is – without a shadow of a doubt – the best decision I’ve ever made.

Walt makes his living ghostwriting blog posts and writing nasty marketing copy. He lives in the Philippines with his two dogs and his wife.