Sounds like a lot of hard work and unachievable, right? Trust me, that’s what the naysayers will also tell you.
I created the life I desired for many years, and it has not been easy, it’s taken a lot of hard work and determination, and it is absolutely not about luck. Cynical me is asking me “What the F*** took you so long you mad cow?!”, always referring to myself as “You Mad Cow” in my thoughts when my aspirations are bigger than the universe!
I’ve been an employee my entire working life in the 9-5 grind all in the pursuit of creating “more”. Whether it’s more wealth, bigger house, or a nicer car there is always going to be “more”. The seduction of all of these “mores” ensures we remain slaves to our salaries, yet, if we were to truly live freely without societal pressures, we would see we don’t need much of what we desire.
Yep, as we’ve been driving our desire for “more”, getting through the decades of family, mortgages, careers, etc., suddenly something inside your brain triggers and you realise you’ve become more present in current time and it’s frightening.
Suddenly, I’m focussed on my mortality as I’m in my 50’s having lived my best years, or so I’m told! NOT ME, I want to live another 40 years at least, and I want to enjoy them with a healthy body, mind and bank account.
Wisdom, mindfulness and awareness ….. it’s like mother nature laughing at us as she observed us banging and clattering our way through all the highs and lows of our early decades. It all feels a little back to front, right? If we had the wisdom and wherewithal back then surely, we’d have figured out how to navigate the Edits of life being more deliberate about our choices?
Can you imagine some of the decisions you would have taken differently if you had the wisdom and knowledge you have now…? If there is one thing, I’ve learned it’s that gazing in the rearview mirror will not create the future you desire! It’s called rearview for a reason, it’s all behind you!
I like to think I’d have gotten here, to live this Edit much sooner yet, I’m grateful that I have achieved it, as opposed to it just being a desire for “more”.
My vision brought me into an environment that would enable me. Getting opportunities with my career to see a lot of the world gave me the bug to get out of my hometown in Scotland and live a different life, but none of this was luck. It was long days for many years, growing my career whilst being everything to everyone including wife, mother, daughter and friend.
I needed to be ready to take career opportunities that would offer international mobility, so focused my career path on roles that had global accountability and could be done in locations outside of my home country. That alone is a long-term plan, so I knew I was on a journey, not a sprint.
Over the last 6 years, I focussed heavily and took time to envision the specifics: where I want to live, what kind of work I want to do, the relationships I want to nurture, and the experiences I want to have. These may all sound a bit obvious, but each one takes planning, a lot of planning. I knew I wanted much more, so getting specific helped me focus on what needed to be done to get here.
Having a plan and getting after it isn’t easy, as without doubt there are going to be forks in the road, and derailing moments. There have been a few for me, some I stupidly created, and some outside of my control, but I kept my vision. Each challenge is another chance to learn from, so it’s important not to dwell on them. I see these as merely irritants to test my strength, desire to keep on achieving and keep my eye on the prize.
Create your village of people who believe in you and your dreams. Your family and friends are your source of energy, encouragement and motivation. Remove the “Negative Nancy’s” they will never do you good, they will keep you doubting yourself and hold you back. GET RID OF TOXIC vibes. They won’t lose touch; they remain in the shadows of your social media!
Do I doubt myself…. YES! Often! But then I reframe my thinking to “Why not me?”. Don’t let fear and self-doubt become a roadblock to your dream life. It’s ok to have these, but don’t let them paralyze you.
While you are working on your plans, ensure you find time for your balance and fill it with things that energize you. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself in 10 years.
Lastly, gratitude is a powerful mindset that can help you stay focused. Every day I take a moment to reflect on the things I’m grateful for. Cultivating gratitude can shift your perspective and keep you motivated to chase your dreams with a positive outlook.
Just take the first step, regardless how small, just one step forward.