Simson - Live what you love: when passion and purpose change your life

The highly charismatic Naomi Simson is best known as the founding director of RedBalloon, one of Australias major tech success stories. RedBalloon has now served 2.5 million customers and Naomi has worked with some of the worlds biggest brands, including IBM, Apple and KPMG.

Naomi is also known for her appearance on Channel 10s Shark Tank, where she assesses the business ideas of hopeful entrepreneurs and considers investing in their schemes.

Naomi has a substantial online presence, particularly via LinkedIn where she has a massive 800,000 followers. She is a renowned speaker and her blogs on naomisimson.com reach 100,000 people a year.

Her life is not limited to the business world. She also works in a philanthropic role as a governor for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and as an advisor to the charities Heads over Heels and Voiceless.

I have never met anyone who loves what they do more than Naomi. Her positivity and passion is infectious, she lives with such purpose and she always leaves you with an extra spring in your step and a smile on your face. What a delight that she has now put her secrets in this book for us to share.

Carolyn Creswell, Business leader and founder of Carmans Kitchen

Naomi is one of Australias great success stories. Not just because she has built a multi-million dollar business empire, but because she lives her passion each and every day. If you want to shift up in your personal life, rapidly grow your business and increase your fun at work, read this book now. Each chapter is full of inspiring stories, incisive observations and success strategies. It only takes a few hours to read but will change your life forever.

John McGrath, CEO, McGrath Real Estate Agents

I met Naomi through a shared desire in supporting a charitable organisation we were both committed to and have been privileged to witness her commitment and passion from the sidelines. She walks the talk, impressing you with her unwavering energy and drive in believing she can make a differenceand she does. In business she has successfully created one of Australias biggest digital success stories and takes great pride in nurturing and celebrating those individuals around her who have been there with her for the ride. She is a generous and passionate leader. She is also a total believer in living life to the fullest, proving to us all that with passion and purpose you can achieve the life you want.

Deborah Hutton

I have known Naomi for years, but I was thrilled to really get to know her through hours of chats and laughs in the make-up chair in the wee hours of the morning, while we were filming Shark Tank. I discovered a beautiful woman with a curious mind and a way of looking at the world that leave you in no doubt why she is a success. Naomi is sharing through her book, her honest and raw insights into her journey and the lessons she has learned along the way.

Janine Allis, CEO, Boost Juice

My motto has always been Live a life you love and love the life you live, and there are so many people out there who will tell you that you cant how great it is to have Naomi write a book that tells you you can and shows you how.

Layne Beachley, seven-time Womens ASP World Champion and founder of Aim for the Stars

This book is dedicated to the love of my life, Stuart,

my inspirations, Natalia and Oscar,

and my Head of Security, Dexter

And a big hearty thanks to a wonderful community of

entrepreneurs that love and support me endlessly, and those

fabulous corporations who support entrepreneurship

To all RedBallooners past, present and future,

thank you for so many many Good Times

with millions more still to come

Im curious about what called you to pick up this book. The cover, its reputation, a friend gave it to you perhaps there could be many reasons. And now you face a quandary, a choice, a decision: you are keen to discover what it would take to live the life you love but you are wondering at what cost. Your time is precious and you never seem to have enough of it. Yet you also know that every day seems to blur into the next and that is not the life you dreamed for yourself. I know your pain; it is mine too. The hardest thing I have had to do ever is to make choices about where I spend my time. So many choices education, reading, events, socialising, let alone work, family, friends and fitness and so little time.

This is my commitment to you: if you decide to go on a journey of self discovery, you will reap the reward. It might be simply flourishing, it could be career guidance. Perhaps youll gain some insights on starting a business, or you might be in need of inspiration on your academic journey. Whatever it is, being truly present with this book will make a difference.

I know if you take the time, contemplate the words, make them your own and do the exercises I have included, your experience of life will shift. As with all the tasks and activities in this book, what you will discover about yourself is dependent on how honest you are prepared to be with yourself and your willingness to ask the real questions and explore the answers. It is your book, a safe place. There is no right or wrong just your thoughts and ideas. You are the most important person here, so give yourself the time you deserve and have fun with it.

You will discover your passion, understand the power of persistence, know the difference that comes from being positive and ultimately experience a life filled with purpose.

This does not mean that tough times will disappear and you will be ensconced in a bed of roses. But you will see yourself as bigger than you see yourself right now. And as a result you are likely to take on bigger challenges and in turn experience the joy of deep accomplishment. On the way, you will develop a resilience that you know you can count on.

My calling, my purpose, is to support you in this quest to live the life you love.

I decided to write this book because I had reached a certain stage in life. My children are almost adults, and my business has a CEO and I have no day-to-day role in running it. I am enjoying my philanthropic work and contributing as an advisor on several boards. I feel very grateful for the life that I have and for the wonderful, loving family and friends I share it with.

One of my greatest joys is when I hear that my experience has assisted or supported someone else on their journey. This is why I give keynote speeches, have written close to 1000 blog posts, am a LinkedIn influencer and am as driven now as when I started out on my career.

As I reflect on my accomplishments and my failures I often think, Oh, if only I had known that then, I would have Clearly we have the opportunity to learn from our mistakes, but we dont always. So as I reflected on what was next for me, and how else I could contribute to happy workplaces, I thought it was time to put pen to paper.

I suspect I have been rather self-indulgent, seeing the world from my perspective, and not always having another view. But my greatest delight will come from knowing that this book may have assisted others in living a life they truly love and that they are able to follow their dream, pursue their passions and celebrate moment by moment.

Please feel free to share with me what you have discovered and learned, and how this book has made an impact on you. The best way to contact me is via my blog, naomisimson.com.