WHAT DOES LIFESTYLE MEAN?

The term ‘lifestyle’ means so many things, each of us yearning for something different.

To achieve your dream lifestyle, you must start with the end in mind and make sure that what you build is consistent with what you desire in the long term. You will no doubt be aware of the various versions of the quote, “You may get to the very top of the ladder, and then find it has not been leaning against the right wall” (attributed to many people in various versions, not least Steven Covey, Allen Raine, to name a few).

For me, a life of freedom, choice and autonomy was my primary driver. This goal also married up with my highest value of freedom. As such, I have structured my business in such a way that I can enjoy time out every day with my dogs and doing other things I enjoy. I could work a lot more hours, but this is the lifestyle I have chosen. I could make more money, but I have chosen time freedom over more income. I make financial adjustments accordingly. These are my life choices.

Each choice is fine provided you are mindful in advance of the consequences of your choice. Eg, if you want to build a large-scale business, in the early years it will be a lot of hard work and that will always come at the expense of something else.

That said, if you put in the effort and hard work to build a business with the right people, processes and systems in place, you can enjoy working as the ‘driver’ of the business, rather than working ‘in it’. If you consider it to be a fair trade-off, then that’s a perfectly good decision, but be strategic about it. Be deliberate; don’t just fall into it then wish you hadn’t.

I made the decision early on that I wanted a ‘lifestyle’ business, with a less stressful pace of life. I knew I didn’t want to build a big corporate business, with multiple offices and a complex hierarchical management structure. I wanted a home-based business that I’m passionate about, with a team of people who feel part of the ‘work family’. There is no right or wrong but be deliberate about it and understand the consequences of your choices well in advance.

To truly uncover your heart’s desire, it’s important to visit your values, your life purpose and your financial lifestyle goals and strategically plan with those at the heart of all decisions. To read more about this, read the next chapter, What Drives You?

Take some time to really think about this. Sit quietly with a journal and let your thoughts connect with your inner knowing. Forget what’s expected of you – what do YOU really want for your life? Take your time with this, don’t rush it. Remember the saying -, “Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true!” (The origin of this saying is Aesop’s Fables).

There is a brilliant interview with British Chef and Restaurateur Marco Pierre White (29 March 2016, Q&A Oxford Union*) in it, he shares his journey to realising his dream of being awarded three Michelin stars, Michelin’s highest accolade. Having done this at age 32 he says (44 minutes onwards), “…and so then, I was no longer happy. I’d realised my dream and the truth is, I’d worked hard for 22 years for something that I’d never wanted.”

To truly uncover your heart’s desire, it’s important to align your lifestyle goals with your values and your life purpose then strategically plan with those at the heart of all decisions.

Good luck and let me know if I can help you gain clarity around this. I’m a trained Life Purpose Life Coach and absolutely LOVE helping people to discover their heart’s true desire and setting goals to align with those desires – email me at jackie@lawyertolifestyle.com.