In a world that's constantly on the move, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters.
We often find ourselves running on a treadmill of life, caught up in the day-to-day, forgetting to ask ourselves one fundamental question: 'What kind of life do I want to lead?' This is where the concept of life design comes in – a proactive approach to crafting the life you've always dreamed of, starting from exactly where you are now.
Of course it wasn’t called life design when I started to think about my life. Or maybe it was and I hadn’t read that book yet.
When I worked in financial services, I would often try to find roles and responsibilities that excited me, that motivated me but it was a rare thing as it very much depended on the leadership at the time.
Did they want me to shut up and do the work?
Or did they want me to ideate and innovate and test and learn?
As you can image it was often the first statement that I came across.
So I took matters into my own hands
✔️ There is a reason that I am hosting an event dedicated to life design and wealth creation. Wayfinders Summit
✔️ There is a reason I am founding a tech for women who want to build wealth. WealthiHer
✔️ There is a reason I am beginning a book to support their stories. (Stay tuned!)
Barriers to life design
Often there are two things that hold people back from making change in their lives, from standing up for their vision and dreams – Mindset and Money.
Mindset
We are being given many tools for mindset shifts but without the next steps mindset can only take you so far. You need tools and tangible actionable advice.
Money
We are not talking about money enough, not as children, not as adults, not at all. We treat it like it is a dirty word, maybe it is. But it is also freedom.
When you don’t have to worry about depending on your next cheque and have enough funds, you can make different choices.
Wealth is freedom of choice.
Make a start to design your life
Here are the first steps you need to take to even begin the process.
1. Self-Reflection: The Foundation of Life Design
The first step in life design is introspection. Understand your core values, passions, and aspirations. What ignites your spirit? What are your non-negotiables in life? This self-awareness is crucial as it forms the foundation of your life design.
Sometimes the values you think are important aren’t as important as you think. Here is one tool that can help you nail down your values.
2. Vision Creation: Imagining Your Ideal Future
Next, visualize your ideal future. Where do you see yourself in five years? Be as detailed as possible. Maybe you see yourself leading a successful business, traveling the world, or achieving a perfect work-life balance. This vision acts as a guiding star for your journey.
I was not a fan of vision boards and then I realised that while we all think about not working or retiring (depending on your age!) we didn’t have that vision of what our life looks like. Start with visualising your “perfect day” and that will help.
3. Small Steps: The Power of Incremental Goals
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Break down your ultimate vision into smaller, manageable goals. Set milestones for the short term (weekly, monthly) and long term (yearly). Celebrate each achievement, no matter how small.
I have created a goal setting journal for exactly this reason, we think in “I want this in 2 years” but not the daily actions we need to take to achieve them!
4. Mindset Shift: Embracing Growth and Resilience
Adopting a growth mindset is pivotal in life design. Understand that challenges are opportunities for growth. Cultivate resilience, patience, and a positive outlook. Your mindset will determine your response to setbacks and failures.
What is holding you baack? Try to understand your own growth and pre-embedded behaviours a bit deeper. Here is a fun tool to uncover your personality and where you can focus your efforts to develop skills.
5. Consistent Action: The Key to Realizing Your Dreams
Finally, commit to consistent action. Regular, small steps lead to significant progress over time. Create a routine that aligns with your goals, and stick to it. Remember, consistency is more important than intensity.
Miss one day, but not two. This comes from author Austin Kleon and it has stayed with me every single day. The key to creating routine is diligence and commitment to your tasks. If you miss one day–okay, life happens. But don’t miss two.
Life design is an ongoing process.
It's about making conscious choices every day to move closer to the life you envision. Embrace the journey with optimism and determination.
Start today, and step by step, watch as the life you've designed becomes a reality.
Your life is your masterpiece. Design it with intention, live it with passion.
I am focusing on #LifeDesign and #WealthCreation in the coming year. Subscribe to my Blog to receive article notifications so you can accelerate your actualisation of the life you love.