Are you looking for a way to have more free time, or just wanting to find the best possible life path? If so, then lifestyle design is something that you need to learn about.
Lifestyle design is one of the newest movements in self-help books and coaching programs around the world. It’s been called “the new science of happiness.”
In this article, we’ll discuss 10 key principles of lifestyle design so that you can take control of your own life.
1. Create a routine for your day-to-day life to simplify it and make it more efficient.
If we’re not using our time in an effective way, then we are wasting opportunities that could have been better used elsewhere.
By establishing routines and sticking to them religiously, we can reduce stress levels by knowing how much time needs to go into each task or activity on any given day.
2. Eliminate distractions – turn off the TV, computer, phone; stop checking email constantly
There are way too many distractions we can get caught up in nowadays. It’s hard to focus on the task at hand when there is a constant barrage of information coming in from all different directions.
Turn off your TV, walk away from the computer and put down your phone so you can focus better
Stop checking email constantly so that you can work in blocks or chunks; if an important message pops up while working then check it out but otherwise stop worrying about what might be happening on other fronts right now
This way you’re not distracted by anything else besides giving 100% attention to whatever project is in front of you.
3. Find your flow state and work in it
A flow state is when you are fully immersed in a task and the time flies by. This is one of the most productive states to work in, so make sure you’re regularly taking your awareness off of everything else going on around you to keep track of how much time has passed.
The key difference between flow state and distraction (or procrastination) is that when we get lost in our thoughts or distracted with life’s other commitments, there is an emotional component; it feels like something needs attention right now.
The good news about a flow state is that it doesn’t feel urgent at all – while engaged, “focus fades into the background as though nothing else exists for those moments.” –Steven Kotler PHD & Jamie Wheal PhD.
4. Identify your values
One important step in designing your dream life is to identify your values. What do you want to spend more time doing? What are the most important things in life for you? Your answers will guide your decisions when making tradeoffs and defining what’s a priority.
In addition, identifying how other people view our values can help us make better choices about the direction of our lives. And understanding that we have different priorities than others helps us understand where they might be coming from as well (or vice versa).
For example, if one person prizes travel over family commitments while another prioritizes staying home with their children, it may seem like two opposing paths but it doesn’t need to be an either/or scenario: both lifestyles could work for each individual.
5. Create a life that is sustainable for the long-term
Creating a life ifestyle that is sustainable for the long-term means taking care of your physical and mental health, managing your time effectively, maintaining good relationships with those around you, living within a budget and being mindful of achieving balance in all areas.
This principle may seem simple on paper but it can be much more difficult to live this way when surrounded by pressures from society or family members who think they know what’s best.
This includes people pressuring you to do something because “it’ll make them happy” even though deep down inside you’re feeling serious doubts about whether or not it will work out in the end.
Stay true to yourself and your needs, and always remember that you know what’s best for yourself.
6. Know when you are ready for change, but don’t force it
Every person is different and the timing for change varies from individual to individual. Sometimes, people need more time to prepare themselves mentally before making a major life decision.
Other times, new opportunities present themselves suddenly and in this case, it’s important not to miss out. Trust yourself enough with your own intuition so that you know when you’re ready for change – but don’t force it!
7. Setting goals is an important part of life design – it’s never too late to start setting them!
Setting goals provides clarity on what you want out of your life, which gives valuable guidance as decisions are made throughout the day.
Goals help clarify why we do certain things with our lives by giving us the motivation that makes it possible to take action when needed. They give us something specific to achieve and they provide satisfaction once they have been accomplished.
8. Develop a personal mission statement
Developing a personal mission statement can be a difficult task, but it is one of the most important things you will ever do.
Your mission statement should encapsulate what’s important to you and why your life matters. It is also important that your personal mission statement aligns with your values and goals so that they reinforce each other.
9. Be self-aware and intentional about how you want to design your life
You will likely never know what you want unless you take time to think about it. Once you have a general idea of an ideal lifestyle, be intentional about how to get there and set goals accordingly.
This includes devoting specific amounts of time each day or week towards activities that are aligned with your desired lifestyle. You can also make promises to yourself – recommitting each month until the habit is established as something automatic in your life.
10. Remember that there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to life design.
To design a life that works for you, instead of looking at what other people do and trying to emulate them.
You need to understand where they are coming from, why their path is not right for you, and what is your own unique story needs the most support. It will be different for everyone.
Final Thoughts
The 10 principles of lifestyle design we’ve covered in this blog post are just a few examples of the many things you can do to make your life better.
Some are simple, others require a bit more thought and time investment. We encourage you to try one or two at a time as it may be overwhelming to undertake all ten steps simultaneously. Which is your favorite principle?