Another scandalous coincidence: for the THIRD time this week, I bumped into this exercise.
Write your ideal life. And be specific.
I’ve heard about it from different sources, so I’m not sure where it actually originates from. A brief search on Google took me to either of these options:
-Professor Debbie Millman’s - 10-year plan essay for a remarkable life.
-Designing Your Life: How To Live a Well-Lived Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.
-Academic research on how writing down your goals boosts your performance.
Please, let me know if you know the right answer.
This exercise comes to solve a common problem: we lack vision.
That drilling alarm drags you out of bed every morning.
Same old breakfast: some buttered toast and a not-too-black coffee.
Traffic is horrible at this time.
At least someone brought cookies to the office.
It’s become a mantra.
It is worryingly easy to continue…
…it is incredibly hard to stop.
And think.
What do I want?
No, not yet. Hold on.
Grab a pen and paper.
Now restart your day. Write it down. Be specific.
Where you wake up, when you wake up, and why you wake up.
I’ve done mine.
I named it “The life I want”.
This is a roadmap of the life I want. I will describe what different areas of my future life look like talking in present tense, as if I was already living in that scenario.
My top priorities are freedom, autonomy, and exploration.
My career is about entrepreneurship. I have the freedom and flexibility to work whenever I want, wherever I want. I get to choose what to focus on every week and I am responsible for every decision. It involves a lot of writing and creating. There is a constant learning curve. I explore ideas and curate content through my own lens.
The relationship with my partner is about kindness, compassion, and growth. There is peace, security, and space to communicate. There is unwavering commitment and genuine admiration. The other's needs are a priority to guarantee the success of the relationship. There is learning about me, about them, and about us. There is excitement for the future and a strong desire to build. There is an insatiable protection of us. There is no room for doubt or risk. There is reassurance and a forever promise.
The daily life revolves around health. I include some form of movement every day (running, weightlifting, walks) and occasionally challenge my limits (i.e., running a marathon). I make time to cook meals that make me feel energized. I prioritize sleep and adapt my habits to induce a good night's rest. I go on dates and make plans with friends. I am intentional with my digital connection and spend more time outside and crafting things with my hands. I engage in activities that put my mind at peace and nurture a low-stress way of living.
The extraordinary events are about traveling and celebrating. I invest my money in experiences. I visit places that expand my view on life and allow me to learn about myself and others. I create memories that I treasure in my heart. I make sure to always plan something in the future that I look forward to: an exciting trip in 3 months, a surprise I will organize for someone special, or the ending of a project I worked hard for.
My home is a sanctuary for rest. It's a minimalist space, clean and tidy. It has nature nearby and is located in a quiet area. My home office has an outside window and is designed for productivity and comfort. When I feel blocked or overwhelmed, there are beautiful surroundings to go on a walk and clear my mind.
The relationship with myself is about pride and compassion. I continuously test myself to improve. I acknowledge my wins and treat myself with kindness in my shortcomings. I tell myself that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. I look forward. I push forward. When in doubt, I zoom out. I observe where I was yesterday, and how far I’ve come.
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Until soon,
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