10 Steps to Living a Life By Design
I love the saying by John Rohn, “A life best lived is a life by design” We all have the power to change the course of our lives and make it beautiful… no matter what that looks like to you. Indulge yourself with these 10 steps (in no particular order) to achieve a life by YOUR design!
What does live life by design, not by default mean?
Living a live by design means to life a life by your design, your creation and your intentions. You’re purposely creating and designing every element of your world, from work to relationships and towards your definition of success. There’s no perfection to it, it just means you’re living your life with, purpose, intention, meaning, passion and a clear vision of how you want your life to be!
Are you living a life by design or by default?
Now here’s the question you want to ask yourself if you want to understand if you’re TRULY living a life by design or by default…
- Do you have a plan for your life?
- Do you have a vision of who you want to be or what you want to do?
- Do you currently set goals for yourself?
- Do you find yourself complaining about current circumstances a lot?
- Do you feel like your living life on autopilot?
- Are you living life on other people’s terms?
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How to live a life by design
Now that you have an understanding on whether you’re actually living a life by design or not, here are 10 steps to get yourself to start living a life by YOUR design! (In no particular order)
Life Audit & Assessment
Do an assessment or audit on your life to see what changes you can make or what areas in your life you can improve on. Get real clear on what is and isn’t working within your life.
To do this I would get a journal, and sit somewhere quiet and comfortable where you can think clearly about where you’re at in your life currently and where you want to be in the future. Ask yourself thoughtful questions like…
- What things bring me joy and contentment?
- What things are most important to me? What do I value the most in life and others?
- What things are holding me back?
- What dictates my current decision-making process?
- Am I living true to myself? Do I find myself living for others?
- How am I spending my time and energy?
- What’s going well and what isn’t?
- How satisfied am I in each area of my life?
Doing this will help you determine what action steps you need to take to get to where you want to be. I know I mentioned this list is in no particular order but with an exception of doing an analysis like this for your life, it’s the first great step I would recommend doing to start planning and getting clear on your vision and purpose for your life.
Be Committed
Be committed to designing the life you want for yourself. Make an agreement with yourself to continue taking the required actions that are needed for you to get to the life you envision yourself having and experiencing. Start living a life by design by being fully committed!
Don't Settle
Don’t settle for less, just because we were taught from a young age about the world and society’s expectations from us as human beings doesn’t mean we need to follow the ways of the world.
There’s no rules to this life, we’re all doing the best we can and there’s many different paths to take to get to the destination you’re working towards. Don’t settle for a life or anything you know is not serving you, you deserve the best of what the world has to offer and you can give yourself the best of that.
Comparison is the thief of all joy
I know we’ve all heard the saying, “comparison is the thief of all joy” and it is 100% true… I still sometimes fall into the trap of comparing myself to others. We all do, were human and were going to experience things like comparison, guilt, jealousy… all of it.
However, it’s important to be mindful of our thoughts and how we feel… we live in a digital age where social media platforms are a part of our daily lives for the majority of us. It is so easy for us to have access and a glimpse into each other’s lives.
What is shown on Instagram or Tik Tok is just a snapshot, a highlight reel of a small part of their life. We don’t know what someone is going through in their real life or what it took to get them there behind the scenes.
There is no one else on earth like you, you’re one of a kind and the journey and path you’re on is yours, and yours only. Don’t allow what you see others doing and posting on social media dictate your self-worth and value.
Here are some helpful reminders to keep in mind if you find yourself comparing to others:
- We all have different lives and experiences, and we have our own strengths and weaknesses
- Get off social media from time to time and engage in activities that will help you grow and builds your self-esteem
- Having social support matters!! Spend time with people who are your cheerleaders and are rooting for your success
- The more you work on yourself and your lifestyle, the less time you’ll think about what others are doing
Stay Consistent
I can’t express enough how important consistency is. Things happen when you’re consistent, I’ve recently learned if I would have been more consistent with things in my life I would have been so much more further along… this realization has seriously made me realize how everyday I need to be consistent with the things I’m doing. Consistency brings results, and with results bring success.
The best way to track your consistency in your work, relationships, hobbies, routines etc… is to get a habit tracker. This post provides 10 free habit tracker apps to use, I would start with a weekly habit tracker to get used to tracking your progress. If you prefer a pdf format of a habit tracker then you will love these! The best way to live a life by design is to be consistent in the actions and habits it takes to create the life you want. Check out these 5 habits that will enhance your life and help you stay consistent.
Learn how to consciously manifest
Practicing manifestation is a great way to bring your desires into existence, and is one of the most powerful ways to start living a life by design.
Learning to manifest consciously can be a powerful tool in creating a life by design because it empowers you to actively shape your reality based on your intentions and desires.
By learning to manifest consciously, you become an active participant in shaping your reality, rather than feeling like a passive observer. It empowers you to design and create a life that reflects your deepest desires, values, and aspirations, ultimately leading to a greater sense of fulfillment, happiness, and personal growth
Be Intentional
When you consciously choose how you want to live and make intentional decisions and actions, you’re ultimately shaping your life according to your vision and aspirations, leading to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven existence. This is a great way to living a life by design.
Surround yourself with like-minded individuals
Hang around other people who are or aspire to live their life by design, this is important because you will inspire each other to succeed and achieve your dreams and desires. It’s nice to be living a life where others share the same goals and visions as you.
There’s no room for comparison or negativity when there’s people on the same wavelength as you! If they’re ahead of you then that’s a good indication that you’ll be pulled to grow and stretch yourself to get to the direction you’re trying to go in.
You’re a reflection of those around you, ask yourself who do you currently have around you, and do they reflect the person you want to be and the life you want to live?
Self-care & Well-being
Self-care and well-being are vital to living a life by design because they provide the foundation for your physical, emotional, and mental health.
By prioritizing self-care, you invest in yourself and lay a strong foundation that supports your journey towards a fulfilling and purpose-driven life.
Set boundaries
Setting boundaries is important to live a life by design because it empowers you to protect your time, energy, and resources, and ensure that they are allocated to the areas that truly align with your vision and goals.
Setting boundaries empowers you to take control of your life and design it in a way that reflects your true desires and values.
Let me know in the comments what steps you're going to start taking to begin your journey on living a life by YOUR design!
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