Lifestyle Designing: Create Your Ideal Life First, Then Plan Your Career

Key Takeaways:

• Lifestyle Designing helps you define how you want to live before choosing a career.
• Financial planning is essential to determine how much income your ideal life requires.
• A career should be a tool to fund and support your lifestyle, not the other way around.

What Is Lifestyle Designing?

Lifestyle Designing is the process of intentionally creating the life you want based on personal preferences, values, and goals.

Unlike traditional career planning, which prioritizes job growth and stability, lifestyle design puts your life first and then finds a career or income source that supports it.

Instead of asking, What job should I get? ask:

1. Where do I want to live? (City, countryside, beach, or another country?)
2. What kind of house do I want? (Apartment, villa, cabin, or tiny home?)
3. Who do I spend time with? (Entrepreneurs, artists, travelers, family-oriented people?)
4. How do I spend my weekends? (Hiking, partying, learning, or relaxing?)
5. What do I look like? (Fitness level, grooming, fashion style?)
6. What do I wear? (Casual, business, luxury, or minimalist?)
7. What do I eat daily? (Home-cooked, organic, fast food, or gourmet?)
8. What car do I drive? (Luxury, electric, SUV, or none?)
9. Where do I vacation? (Local getaways, international travel, or luxury resorts?)

These questions help you build a clear vision of your ideal lifestyle.

Step 1: Define Your Ideal Lifestyle

Take time to imagine your dream life in detail. Write it down, create a vision board, or use AI tools to visualize it.

Be specific—don’t just say, I want to be rich. Instead, describe:

• The daily routine you want.
• The social circle you want.
• The physical environment you thrive in.

Step 2: Calculate the Cost of Your Lifestyle

Once you define your lifestyle, estimate the cost to maintain it. Research expenses like:

• Housing (Rent/mortgage, utilities, property taxes)
• Transportation (Car payments, insurance, fuel)
• Food (Groceries, dining out, organic preferences)
• Social life (Entertainment, hobbies, travel)
• Healthcare (Insurance, gym, wellness activities)

Create a rough monthly and annual budget for your dream life.

Step 3: Choose a Career That Funds Your Lifestyle

Now that you know the cost, find the best career or income source to support it. Consider:

• Salary & Earning Potential – Does the job pay enough?
• Work-Life Balance – Will it allow you to enjoy your lifestyle?
• Location Independence – Can you work remotely?
• Growth Opportunities – Will it help you sustain your lifestyle long-term?

Some people start businesses to gain financial freedom, while others find high-paying jobs that allow them to live how they want.

Step 4: Adjust & Optimize Over Time

Lifestyle Designing is an ongoing process. As your preferences evolve, so should your financial and career plans. Regularly reassess:

• Are you still happy with your lifestyle?
• Does your career still support your goals?
• Do you need to adjust your financial plan?

Innovative Approaches to Lifestyle Designing

Traditional career paths often force people to postpone life goals until retirement. But what if you could enjoy your dream lifestyle while still working? Here are some unconventional approaches to make it happen:

1. Mini-Retirements

Instead of saving everything for old age, take planned career breaks every few years to travel, pursue hobbies, or spend time with family. This prevents burnout and allows you to enjoy life at different stages.

2. Geoarbitrage

Live in a low-cost country while earning in a high-income currency. Remote workers, freelancers, and business owners use this strategy to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle at a fraction of the cost.

3. Portfolio Careers

Instead of relying on a single job, build multiple income streams like freelancing, investments, side businesses, or consulting. This provides financial security and more lifestyle flexibility.

4. Workation Lifestyle

Combine work and travel by choosing careers that allow remote work. Digital nomads work from beaches, cafes, or mountain retreats while maintaining their income.

5. Skill-Based Freedom

Invest in high-income skills (coding, writing, design, consulting) that allow you to work on your terms. With the right skills, you can set your own schedule, rates, and projects.

These strategies help you align your career with your desired lifestyle instead of sacrificing your dreams for a paycheck.

Conclusion

Your life should dictate your career—not the other way around. By first designing your dream lifestyle, understanding its financial needs, and then selecting a career that funds it, you take control of your future.

Start today: Visualize your ideal life, estimate the cost, and create a financial and career plan that makes it possible.

Would you like a Lifestyle Design Workbook to guide you through this process? Let us know in the comments!