My husband and I recently have been having conversations about upleveling our lifestyle. Coming from where we have both come from – very middle class upbringings – it’s no surprise that we both want to live a little better than how our parents’ lived during our childhoods. And as parents’, isn’t it our job to provide for our kids’ in the best way we can? Sure it’s a juggle – you don’t want to hand them everything on a plate and ‘spoil’ them, but you also want for them to not have to endure what you did growing up so it’s a non-stop balance for sure. There’s a lot to be said for maturing and one’s tastes maturing as well. Obviously I drive a very different car to what I drove around in 10 years’ ago and my desire for a Dodge Ram has thankfully disappeared and instead been replaced with a Brabus (look it up if you don’t know what that baby is). Yesterday, my husband blurted out that he now felt as though he had become one of ‘those ostentatious individuals’ wanting to ease himself into a new Range Rover (we currently have a 2012 Evoque that we love). And we still don’t at all see eye to eye around flying Business Class overseas (for me it’s all about maximising time at the other end and allowing my body the best chance of recovering over saving a bit of money). But I digress and fear I am beginning to sound as though I am justifying. So today I wanted to go deeper into the art of living well and not settling. Settling is pretty easy isn’t it? We see people do it all the time. They stay in the same job for decades, live in the same house, do the same things over and over, holiday in the same places. And hey, there’s no judgement here at all. If you are super happy there, then that is awesome. But for me – Madam High Achiever who suffers from serious FOO – that will never do. So let’s look at this a little more.
In a world that is constantly pulling us back (think the article I wrote about Tall Poppy Syndrome a few weeks’ back), the art of living well is about striving for excellence in every facet of our lives it not something frequently talked about (well out loud at least). It’s actually more about embracing the journey of growth, finding joy in the present moment, and never compromising on our dreams and values than it is about the size of your bank balance, your Mercedes and home overlooking Sydney Harbour. After all, there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with wanting a brand new Porshce or fly in a private jet every once in a while. Here’s a guide to cultivating a lifestyle of fulfillment and refusing to settle for anything less than a lifestyle that is luxurious and extraordinary (if that is what gets you going of course).
Define Your Vision
Living well starts with a clear vision of what you want your life to look like. This involves introspection and self-awareness. Ask yourself:
- What are my core values?
- What are my passions and interests?
- What kind of impact do I want to make?
Creating a vision board (which I personally love and have many in my office) or writing a detailed life plan can help solidify your goals and serve as a constant reminder of what you’re working towards. I have a 5 year plan and every January I review it, cut it down into what I believe I am able to achieve that year and then I break it down into monthly goals. This way it’s easier to figure out the required actions needed to attain those goals so I can then effortlessly create a weekly and daily plan. Sound like a lot of work? Well, it need not. This is meant to be fun – you are creating and curating your life your way.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through focussed dedication and ‘smart’ work (I personally don’t believe in hard work – but as with most things in life – choose your hard). This mindset is crucial for living well because it encourages continuous learning and resilience. Embrace challenges, learn from criticism and always celebrate progress, no matter how small. The small wins are the wins that join together to form the big ones later on.
Tips for Cultivating a Growth Mindset:
- Embrace challenges: See them as opportunities to grow. Always look for the lesson. There’s no failure here – only learning.
- Learn from feedback: Constructive criticism is a tool for improvement. Find people who excel in what you are looking to achieve greatness in – they often will share a perspective that you may not have ever considered.
- Persevere: Persistence in the face of setbacks builds strength and character. Being tenacious in whatever your endeavour is will set you aside from most others (not that we are competing here but are we talking tennis or not?)
Prioritize Well-being
Living well is intrinsically linked to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Prioritize activities that promote health and happiness.
Physical Well-being:
- Exercise regularly: Find a routine that you enjoy, whether it’s yoga, running, or dancing. And believe it or not, you need to earn well in order to live well. How else will you be able to pay for that super chic new Hot Yoga studio classes that just opened up near you?
- Eat nourishing foods: Fuel your body with balanced and nutritious meals. Again, you need to be able to fund this.
- Sleep: Ensure you get adequate rest to recharge and rejuvenate. I recommend getting an app and partnered watch so you are able to track this.
Mental and Emotional Well-being:
- Practice mindfulness: Techniques like meditation and deep breathing can reduce stress and increase focus.
- Foster relationships: Surround yourself with supportive and positive people.
- Engage in hobbies: Activities that bring you joy and relaxation are essential. You don’t have to be crazy like me and be out on the tennis court nearly every single day, but spend time doing stuff that you love.
Pursue Passion with Purpose
Passion fuels a fulfilling life. Engage in activities that excite and inspire you. Whether it’s a career, hobby, or volunteer work, find ways to incorporate your passions into your daily routine. The old saying do what you love and you’ll never work a day again in your life rings true here.
Steps to Pursue Passion:
- Identify your passions: Reflect on activities that make you lose track of time. In a good way of course. The goal is to feel good here.
- Set goals: Break down your passions into achievable milestones. Looking to buy the next Ferrari 812 Superfast? Start figuring out how to make that happen – and yes it’s time to change your language. There’s no lottery win here.
- Take action: Dedicate time and effort to your passions regularly. Also making time your friend – understand that any worthwhile pursuit takes time and smart work and effort to make it happen. Nothing significant is ever achieved overnight (just ask any of those amazing Olympians currently competing in Paris).
Embrace Authenticity
Authenticity means being true to yourself and your values. It’s about living in alignment with who you are, rather than conforming to external expectations. Love the look of wearing fur but love animals more? Then find a super awesome vegan substitute. Want to build a 4 storey mega complex but worried about the neighbours? Figure out how to move to a more regional location. Expand your horizons and teach your mind to look for solutions. You’ll be amazed at what your mind is capable of.
How to Live Authentically:
- Know yourself: Spend time understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and values.
- Express yourself: Communicate openly and honestly with others.
- Set boundaries: Protect your time and energy by saying no to things that don’t align with your values.
Never Stop Learning
Continuous learning is a cornerstone of living well. Seek out new experiences, knowledge, and skills. This keeps life exciting and helps you stay adaptable in a rapidly changing world.
Ways to Keep Learning:
- Read regularly: Books, articles, and blogs are great sources of knowledge.
- Take courses: Enroll in classes or online courses in subjects that interest you. Start your personal growth journey with me here: https://www.lovemylifestyle.com.au/free-guide/
- Travel: Exploring new places and cultures broadens your perspective. And when you travel, go Business or First. Figure out how to make the money to make it happen. Living a life of luxury is not wrong and if those around you are telling you that, it’s time to find a new circle.
The art of living well is a dynamic and ongoing process. It requires intentionality, effort, and a refusal to settle for mediocrity. It’s something that is etched into every single aspect of one’s life. What we eat. Where we shop. What clothes we wear and what brands we choose to support. The car we drive. The house we live in. the holiday destinations. By defining your vision, cultivating a growth mindset, prioritizing well-being, pursuing passion, embracing authenticity, and committing to lifelong learning, you can create a life that is not only well-lived but also deeply fulfilling. Remember, you deserve nothing less than extraordinary. And luxury really can be obtained for a lot less than you think.
Image by Domenico Farone from Pixabay