How to Design Your Best Life
We’re all here to create our most fantastic lives. It’s up to you to design your life in a way that feels prosperous, authentic, and successful. Even if you love your life right now, there is always more to be discovered. And in a world of infinite options and possibilities, where do we start? In my own journey, I’ve found that we often get clues as children. Whatever we spend most of our time doing (drawing, playing, reading, writing, painting) can leave clues as to what it is we truly love. Sometimes, it can be that simple. For years, even though I enjoyed design, I took the long way around instead of diving straight into doing what I loved as a child.
When you are designing your ideal life, just as you would in your home, you have to clear out the unnecessary clutter first and locate the key items you want to keep.
I Have a Dream
First, it takes clarity, which often begins with simplicity. For some people, this can be very challenging. We are often times taught to put a damper on our dreams.
The big ticket question: If you could spend 80 percent of your day doing anything, what would it be? This has nothing to do with making money, supporting your family, or thinking of all the other logistics that surround a dream (yet).
Just answer the question as simply as you can in one sentence. I would spend my time doing… what?
From there, break it down. Where are you NOW? Assess how far off your current life path is from the one you want. Are there parallels in your own work that could cross over into your dream career? What would be the first three steps you’d need to take in order to do what you’ve always wanted to do?
If it’s money you’re scared about, don’t be. We often think of money as finite:It will cost me X dollars to do Y, and then I’ll be out of money forever! Think of all of the money you’ve ever earned, spent, and exchanged in the course of a life.
Money is energy. You’ll make more of it. I promise. And if you’re doing what you love, often times you’ll make more than you ever dreamed!
If what you want to do has nothing to do with making money, and you want to just carve out time in your day to do it, then make it a priority. No matter what. Put it first if you can, before you dive into emails, meetings, or before you are bombarded with after-work activities. Carve out time just like you would to take a shower or pay the bills.
Once you’ve identified a passion, what about the rest of your life?
location, location, location
Where you live is just as important as what you do. Look around. Do you love your city? Does your current lifestyle support your desired way of life? Are you inspired by others around you? What about where you actually live? Does your home reflect your caliber of life?
Designing your ideal life literally means painting the backdrop (location), filling it with a home that inspires (interior), hanging around people you love (community), and doing what it is you want to do (career).
You can have everything you want if you know what you want.
But you have to get crystal clear about your desires.
your 7 step plan to design your best life
Ready to be courageous? Every step below will challenge you on your journey to living your best life. Know that going in. Face your fears. The rewards from conquering them are what makes it all worthwhile.
Create a vision that is so big and beautiful you can’t stop thinking about it.
What is your dream life? Write it out. Vision board it. Get clear about it. And then obsess about it like there’s no tomorrow.
Don’t tell anyone except those who will cherish it as much as you do.
When you’re buzzing with excitement, there’s nothing worse than someone bringing you down. Share your vision with like-minded people, or people already living their dream lives.
Take massive, immediate action.
Do something to get you closer to your ideal life today. Something to move you forward. Something that scares you. Designing a life has less to do with thought — and more to do with action.
Get power partners to hold you accountable.
Pick a few people in your life who will hold you accountable. It’s easy to say you’re going to do something when no one is counting on you. Create consequences to your inaction. Your best life is at stake, after all.
Create empowering rituals.
We all have rituals, but some of them are time wasters. If you never focus on a task from start to finish, it’s time to get focused. Whether it’s email, texting, or meetings, trim the fat and create healthy, life-affirming rituals that begin and end every day the way you want.
Connect with your inner child that just wants to play and have fun.
Life is supposed to be fun. Being silly, playing, laughing, or being kind to yourself can provide a much-needed break from the seriousness of life.
Challenge your limiting beliefs about what is possible.
Everything is possible. I’ll say it again: Everything is possible. We learn the opposite from a very young age, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. Be the exception to the rule.
If there’s something you want to do, or another way of living you are desperate to try, go for it. Stop thinking about it and just jump in. Play out your absolute worst-case scenario if you are uncertain, and then do it anyway.
Understand real happiness comes from progress. It is going to take time. Don’t sabotage yourself by being delusional about the due process of time. Embrace and celebrate your moments of progress.