Do you really know what a great life means to you, or do you just think you do?
When we talk about living a great life, we often end up referring to society’s version of success—big houses, luxurious vacations, career milestones. But is that really what will fulfill you, or are you simply following someone else’s vision for what’s ideal?
Defining a Great Life for Yourself
I’m not talking about the general societal definition of success or happiness. I’m asking you to reflect on what a great life truly means to you—as an individual. Not what your parents, your peers, or the media say should be great. What are the things that make you feel content, fulfilled, and at peace with where you are in life?
A YouTuber named Ramit Sethi talks about creating your “rich life,” which isn’t necessarily about wealth in the traditional sense, but rather about building your life around what you truly value. This idea made me pause and reevaluate my own life—what does my rich life look like, beyond the money or the fame?
The Work-Life Balance Myth
Throughout my career, I’ve been asked to give training on work-life balance. But here’s the truth: there’s no such thing as a perfect, static balance between work and life. It’s more about making conscious decisions based on your values. How much time will you allocate to work, and how much will you dedicate to the other parts of your life that matter? It’s up to you to define that balance, not some arbitrary standard.
What Does a Great Life Mean to You?
When I work with clients, I ask them to describe what a great life would look like for them. Can you do that? Can you clearly explain what your ideal life is—so clearly that a Hollywood director could turn your vision into a short film?
That’s the level of clarity I’m talking about. We all have ideas about what we want from life, but how many of us truly know what that vision would look like in concrete terms?
Maybe for you, a great life means flying in private jets and dining at Michelin-starred restaurants. There’s nothing wrong with that kind of lifestyle if it aligns with your values.
But here’s the thing: maybe you’re already living a great life right now—it just doesn’t look like what you originally imagined. So what if the joy, happiness, and fulfillment you’re seeking is already present in your life, just in a different form than expected?
Take Time to Reflect
I encourage you to take some time to think about this. This isn’t a question you can answer quickly after reading an article. It’s something I encourage my clients to journal about, allowing themselves the space to explore their values and desires.
You may just find that you already have the great life you’ve been striving for—and that’s a powerful realization.
When you’re done reflecting, I suggest you check out Ramit Sethi and explore how you can align your finances to match your version of a rich life.
(P.S. I don’t know Ramit Sethi personally, and I don’t receive anything for recommending him.)
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