Live by Design.
We often feel like we are just going through the motions of life, drifting along aimlessly. We wake up, go to work, come home, watch TV, go to bed, and repeat. It's easy to fall into this default pattern of existing rather than truly living with purpose and intention.
In the midst of our hectic lives, it is easy to forget that we have the power to shape our own experiences. We are the co-creators of our reality. When we live by design instead of by default, we can unlock a world of possibility and fulfillment.
Living by default is like being a passenger in our own life. We let external circumstances and other people's expectations dictate our path. We float from one day to the next, never really taking the wheel or charting our own course.
In contrast, living by design means being the architect of our existence. It's about defining our vision for the life we want to live and taking purposeful steps to make it a reality. When we live by design, we are fully engaged and intentional about how we spend our time, energy, and resources.
The first step in living by design is to get clear on what you actually want. Too often, we simply accept the default settings that society or our upbringing has handed us. We pursue certain careers, relationships, or lifestyles because it's what's expected of us, not because we have consciously chosen them for ourselves.
But when we live by design, we have to ask ourselves some tough questions: What matters most to me? What are my core values and priorities? What kind of life would truly light me up and fill me with a sense of purpose?
Defining our vision requires deep self-reflection and a willingness to question the status quo. It means stripping away all the "shoulds" and societal conditioning to get to the core of who we are and what we want to create.
Once we have clarity around our vision, we can start reverse-engineering our lives to align with that vision. This is where the real power of living by design comes into play.
Instead of just passively allowing life to happen to us, we become the conscious co-creators of our experience. We make conscious choices about how to spend our time, who to surround ourselves with, what opportunities to pursue, and what habits or practices to cultivate.
This level of intentionality requires discipline and commitment, but it's also incredibly empowering. When we live by design, we are no longer at the mercy of external circumstances – we are proactively shaping our reality.
For example, let's say your vision includes financial freedom and the ability to travel the world. Living by design would mean making strategic choices around your career, investments, and lifestyle that support that vision. Maybe you start an online business that allows you to work remotely, or you embrace minimalism to keep your expenses low.
Or perhaps your vision centers around raising a close-knit family and creating a nurturing home environment. Living by design in this case might involve being highly selective about how you spend your time, prioritizing quality family time over mindless distractions or excessive work hours.
The beauty of living by design is that it allows us to align every aspect of our lives with our deepest values and aspirations. When we approach life with that level of clarity and intention, we naturally start to experience greater fulfillment, joy, and a sense of purpose.
The path of living by design is not always easy. There will be moments of doubt, setbacks, and course corrections along the way. But the alternative – drifting through life on autopilot, letting others dictate our path – is a far less rewarding (and often more painful) way to exist.
When we live by design, we take radical responsibility for our lives. We acknowledge that we are the co-creators of our reality and that the choices we make today will shape our experiences tomorrow. This mindset puts us in the driver's seat and empowers us to course-correct when needed.
It's also important to note that living by design does not mean we must have every detail of our life mapped out perfectly. Leaving room for spontaneity, curiosity, and exploration is essential. The key is having a clear vision and guiding principles that serve as our North Star while remaining open to unexpected opportunities and detours.
Ultimately, living by design is about consciously crafting a life that is deeply fulfilling and aligned with our authentic selves. It's about refusing to settle for the default settings that society tries to impose upon us, and instead courageously creating an existence that is a true expression of who we are and what we value most.
Success or sabotage? Success, happiness, and a sense of profound meaning and purpose are the rewards that await those who commit to living by design.
Is this going to be an incredible day? Define your vision for the day, take purposeful action, and prepare to experience life in a whole new way.