“If you’re actively working toward your dream, you’re already living the dream.”
This blog is going live as I make my way to Isla Mujeres, Mexico to spend a week unplugged with my family.
I’m not sharing this to brag.
I’m sharing this because it represents a piece of my dream life scenario – spending more time with the people I love in places that inspire me.
And I hope this inspires you to move closer to your own dream life scenario.
I realize the risk of introducing this idea …that we can’t be happy unless we’re chasing something other than what we already have.
That’s not entirely the point.
The point is that we all have the capacity and resourcefulness to design a life that feels fulfilling, joyful, and meaningful.
And yet, many of us pretend that our desires don’t really matter and settle for “who am I to want/deserve such a thing when the world is on fire, the economy is in limbo, and I have all these responsibilities?”
Here’s my tough love advice …
- What you believe you deserve is your future
- You can care about the world and still enjoy life
- The best way to deal with economic uncertainties is to create your own opportunities
- The quicker you take ownership of the life you’ve created, the easier it will be to design the life you want
There was a time when creating a flexible work week while doing meaningful work seemed completely out of reach.
There was a time when I allowed the media and politics to determine my state of happiness and well-being.
There was a time when I blamed others for what I was or wasn’t being paid, my lack of happiness, my long commute, unfair demands, and how the economy was affecting my life.
There was a time when I realized that all the stuff and habits I was accumulating (house, yard, new cars, exotic trips, nice clothes, fancy restaurants, drinking all the time) were just convenient ways to numb myself for not feeling whole and fulfilled from the inside out.
But I slowly began to explore, experiment and shift many of these circumstances, one step at a time.
Whenever someone asks me; Should I start this business? Quit this job? Learn this skill? Go back to college? I almost always respond with; “Where do you want to be in 3-5 years?”
Picture this: You wake up five years from now.
The air is crisp, and the morning light filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow over your room. You stretch, feeling the comfort of a bed that seems custom-made for your body. Because it is.
To your left, your partner – your confidant, your love – sleeps peacefully. As you rise, your feet meet the smooth hardwood floors. The glow of a fireplace fills the room, its flickering light reflecting off the walls of a space entirely yours. This is your sanctuary, your home – paid off, perfectly aligned with your taste, and symbolic of your journey.
It could be a sun-drenched loft in NYC, where the hum of urban life energizes you. Or a secluded mountain house in Montana, where the silence is broken only by the rustle of leaves. Whatever the setting, it’s your dream home, shared with your dream partner.
Today isn’t special because of a holiday or an event; it’s special because it’s your “normal, but perfect” day.
Your “Normal, But Perfect” Day
As you move through the morning, you do so at your own pace, with the freedom that comes from years of making intentional choices.
You pour a cup of fresh-brewed coffee, savoring the aroma as you share a moment with your partner. There’s no rush. The day is yours, and it’s filled with the things that make you feel alive.
Perhaps you start with a brisk hike through the woods with your dog. The air is fresh, the path familiar. You return home, energized, and settle in to answer a few business emails in your home office – a space that’s as inspiring as it is functional. Then, you retreat to your backyard studio space, the perfect spot to write that book you’ve always dreamed of.
Later, you head to your basement home gym, where you push your limits, knowing that every drop of sweat brings you closer to your peak physical condition. Afterward, you volunteer at a local animal shelter, a cause close to your heart. The animals know you by scent, and the staff greets you with warm smiles – you’re not just a volunteer, you’re a benefactor with an entire structure named after you.
As the day unfolds, you meet with a handpicked team working on a project that excites your soul. It’s not just work; it’s a passion.
The afternoon is spent cheering on your kid at their baseball game, your heart swelling with pride. And as the sun sets, you enjoy dinner with your partner by the outdoor firepit, discussing life, dreams, and the future you’re building together.
The Power of Purpose and Vision
This day is extraordinary, not because of what you’re doing, but because of how you feel – completely content, satisfied, and in control.
There’s no debt hanging over your head, no stress gnawing at your nerves. You’re living harmoniously with your surroundings, your purpose, and yourself. But here’s the thing – this isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This is your normal.
But let’s rewind for a moment. You’ve just taken a glimpse into your future – a day that could be your reality in five short years. It’s vivid, it’s tangible, and it’s within your reach.
But it won’t just happen by chance.
You need to create it, one step at a time.
Step 1 – Create Your Compelling Vision
Start by grabbing a notebook or opening a blank Google doc. Write down, in meticulous detail, what your perfect day looks like – hour by hour. This isn’t just about the big things like where you live or what you do for a living. It’s about the small moments that make up your day.
- What time do you wake up?
- What’s the first thing you do?
- What do you have for breakfast?
- What does your morning routine look like?
- How do you spend your afternoon?
- Who’s with you in the evening?
- How is your health?
- What are you doing for work?
- How many hours a day do you work?
- Your hobbies?
Step 2 – Set Your Intentions
With your vision outlined, it’s time to use it as your compass. Every decision, big or small, should be weighed against your vision.
When faced with a choice, ask yourself: Does this move me closer to my vision, or does it pull me further away? Is this job offer in line with the life I want to live, or is it a detour? Does this relationship elevate me, or does it drain me?
Your vision isn’t just a dream – it becomes your decision-making framework.
I have an entrepreneur friend who runs one of the largest businesses of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Five years ago he was working non-stop in his business – logging 12-14 hours, 6-7 days a week.
Recognizing this wasn’t a sustainable pace, he made a decision to evolve his role so that he was earning the same income with less of his personal time.
His vision was to reduce his working time to 5 hours per day and enjoy more time with his family.
This demanded creativity, personal growth, and a commitment to shifting his identity and mindset. But the decision framework became simple – do not work more than 5 hours per day.
It took him almost 3 years and you would hardly recognize his schedule today compared to 3 years ago. He never works more than 5 hours a day and he’s 90% focused on the visionary aspects of his business.
He takes 8-12 weeks off per year for family vacations, ski trips, and fly fishing retreats. He spends quality time with his family and friends. He prioritizes his health and exercise.
This entrepreneur set a clear intention based on his compelling vision to work less and spend more time with his family. And now he’s living it.
Step 3 – Take Relentless Action
Your “normal but perfect day” isn’t just a fantasy – it’s a process of taking tiny steps towards your vision.
You must break down your perfect day into achievable steps. If working from home is part of your vision, what must you do this month, this week, and today to make that a reality?
If financial freedom is your aim, what concrete steps are you taking now to ensure that future? The key is to start small but be relentless. Each action, no matter how minor, is progress toward your perfect day.
This is where the Integrated Life and Career Plan comes in – a simple tool I created to help you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.
This is the exact tool I’ve used over the last 5 years – a simple system that has allowed me to reduce the hours I work while earning more, travel with my wife 6-8 weeks every year, create a referral only coaching business, and partner with people I trust to generate predictable, year-long monthly recurring revenue engagements.
I’ve built this tool around the principles of creativity, backwards engineering, and the essence of experiencing your vision right now.
When you set an ambitious goal – creating a 7-figure business, completing a triathlon, or building your dream home – the Integrated Life and Career Plan helps you break it down into manageable steps. It turns your “normal but perfect day” into something you can begin experiencing TODAY.
I’ve included this tool HERE for you to copy and use for your own vision and planning purposes. It’s a simple Google doc template that asks you to prioritize the following areas:
- Health, Vitality and Energy
- Wealth & Finances
- Relationships
- Business/Career
- Lifestyle and Material Life
- Contribution and Legacy
If you can’t access the tool for some reason and you’d like to have it, just reply to this email and I’ll send it to you.
Step 4 – Revisit and Refine
Life is dynamic, and so is your vision. Revisit your perfect day regularly. As you grow and change, so too might your aspirations. And that’s okay. Adjust your vision to reflect your evolving growth.
Your perfect day should always be a true reflection of your most authentic self. Keep refining, keep adjusting, but never lose sight of the vision that is most compelling to you.
Here’s a personal story: I wrote out my vision 5 years ago. My vision then included remodeling our craftsman bungalow in Portland and skiing 15-20 days a year.
As time passed, I realized some desires changed or no longer aligned with my evolving vision. For example, we remodeled our craftsman bungalow and then we decided to sell our house and move out of the city to have more space and be closer to nature.
My previous vision was to ski 20 days in the winter and now I want to live in a mountain town where I’m less than 30-minutes from a ski mountain – making it much easier to ski 20+ days per season.
So, I’ve adjusted my vision. Your “normal but perfect day” constantly evolves and changes.
Step 5 – Activate Your Vision
This exercise isn’t about escapism or fantasy; it’s about creating a roadmap for your future. It’s about making intentional decisions today that will shape the life you want tomorrow.
Visualization is a powerful tool, but its true strength lies in its ability to guide your decisions and actions. When you align your daily choices with your future vision, you begin to live with more purpose and intention. You become selective about how you spend your time, who you spend it with, and what you focus on.
And here’s the mantra I’ve been saying for years: if you’re actively working toward your dream, you’re already living the dream.
Happiness isn’t something you achieve once you reach the finish line; it’s something you experience along the way. So, as you go about your day today, keep that “normal but perfect day” clearly in focus.
Ask yourself with every choice you make: Is this choice bringing me closer to that “perfect day?” Then, act accordingly.
The life you want isn’t a distant dream – it’s within reach, one intentional step at a time.
I’d love to hear about your “normal, but perfect day.” Feel free to hit reply and share.
Live bravely,
Michael
