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Episode #107
Here’s the short version. To listen to the full episode with more stories, examples and insights, click on the play button above!
As much as I think being an entrepreneur and, in particular, having an online business is a fantastic opportunity, it’s not right for everyone. So you need to really consider hard what you want your life now and in the future to look like, and to design the blueprint that you can build on.
Everyone has different ideas and needs of what their ideal life should be.
There is no right or wrong path to follow, what lights you up, what you need, is unique to you. What you want, is what YOU want. No one else.
Where things go wrong is when people find themselves in lives that are the opposite of what they want. They lose themselves to societal expectations and the 'shoulds' and 'musts' of life.
We are programmed to think that to want something more than the life you have is bad, or in some way selfish. We should be happy and appreciative of what you have. The thing is, you can be grateful for what you have and want more in life. And I believe that everyone has the right and the choice to make it happen.
If you've ever felt like you’re not living the life you should be, you're not alone. The good news? It's absolutely possible to break free and live the life you've always wanted. But first, you need to work out what that life is, beyond the expectations of others and your life path so far.
Here are some ways you can figure it out:
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY
Understanding what genuinely brings us happiness is an essential first step in designing our ideal lives. The pursuit of happiness is a key part of our human nature. It shapes our decisions and influences which way we go in life.
Sometimes it's tough to pin down what makes us genuinely happy. Mainly because our society often aligns happiness with materialistic success. We live in a world where we're told a shiny new car, a big house or the latest gadget is the route to a happy life. This belief can lead us in the wrong direction, filling our life with things that may excite us for a moment but don’t give lasting contentment. So to discover what makes you genuinely happy you need to look deep inside to get an honest view of your feelings and desires.
Cast your mind back to moments when you felt truly happy and content. Was it when you were hanging out with your favourite people? Or maybe when you crushed that personal goal? Or even when you were enjoying a quiet moment all by yourself? These occasions can give you clues about what really matters to you.
If you can’t remember when you felt that kind of joy recently, then go back to your childhood. What did you love then? When were you happiest? Or you had hobbies you were majorly into that gradually faded from your life. Is there anything from back then, that you would love to reintroduce to your life now?
You're not trying to assess any of this, just acknowledging what has and does make you happy. Think of yourself as a happiness detective looking for clues as to what you want to keep in your life and what you don't need to have around anymore. Because, when you align your life around your sources of genuine happiness, you lay the foundation for a life that is rich, fulfilling, and uniquely yours.
WHAT HAS TRUE MEANING FOR YOU
Think about what gives you purpose and aligns with your deepest values. When your life has meaning, you're not just existing; you're living your best life, making every moment count.
Understanding what's meaningful to you isn't always easy. We often get so caught up in the hustle of daily life, we don't stop to think about what gives our existence real significance. But isn't it worth the time to uncover what gives our lives that extra dimension?
Start by taking a good, hard look at your values. What principles are you not willing to compromise on? What makes you stand up and say, "This matters"? It could be your commitment to your family, your passion for social justice or your focus on environmental issues. These values are your non-negotiables, and recognising them helps you see what you hold most dear to your heart.
Then think about the legacy you want to leave. How do you want to make a difference in the world? To be remembered? It could be through inspiring others to do great things, building a business empire to become a philanthropist, or creating something innovative that drives the human race forward. The desire to contribute to something bigger than ourselves often holds deep meaning. It’s where you discover your true purpose.
DEFINE WHAT YOU REALLY WANT
That may sound easy but it can really bring up some big emotions and issues. You need to have the courage and vision to dream big, imagine the kind of life you desire, and most importantly, admit to yourself what you truly want.
Forget about the goals you think you ‘should’ have. We often hide our real desires under a load of societal expectations and pressures. This is about getting real with yourself, putting your wildest, secret dreams on the table, and admitting what you truly, madly, deeply want from life.
Remember this is the ideal, you are not holding yourself back with the struggles or reality of your life right now. So be honest with yourself. No one is going to know what is going on in your head!
Working out what makes you really happy, what is meaningful to you and what you really want, doesn’t mean that you will suddenly give up on your current life. That would be pretty difficult, but it does give you an idea of what you want to aim for. What you can model your future life on.
This in turn allows you to talk to others in your life about it and also enables you to start thinking about how you can make it happen for real. Whether that is by staying in your current career, freelancing or starting a business, you will know what the right path is for you.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS…
You need to know what it is you are aiming for before you think about how you will get there.
By designing your ideal life you can start to put plans in place to help you reach it. Or as close to it as possible.
Don’t be afraid to make big bold changes and do what you can to have a happy and fulfilling life. It will be far better for you and those around you in the long run.
Get out there, and start living the life you've always wanted to live! You've got this!
