The Pursuit Of Happiness — My 7-Step Magical Formula For Personal Happiness

6. Design your life.

Back in my NYU days I chased money. Billions. And so I set a goal of becoming a billionaire by 30.

Lofty ambition, but ambition nonetheless. That seemed cool and sensible, especially because I was surrounded by friends and classmates that’ll likely become the CEOs of world-changing start-ups and investors managing funds with 8-9-10 zeros.

But somewhere in my 20’s my priorities completely flipped. Money’s cool, but chasing it first at the expense of everything else is soul-sucking.

Let me be clear — money is important.

Traveling gets expensive and I appreciate good food and vino. Plus I love to look good (it’s a 50/50 split between getting dressed up and Nike workout swag, I’m a man of extremes). But as long as I can comfortably facilitate that, support my future family, pay the bills/rent without stressing, and not worry about adding guac at Chipotle or going broke at Whole Foods, I’m good.

And if I make more of it along the way by working hard my way, that’s delicious funfetti icing on top.

But it’s not my #1. Or #2. Or #3.

What does make me happy and what’s always stuck with me? Memories. Experiences. Family. Relationships. Travel. Food. Good whiskey. Giving back and helping people. The Panthers winning football games. Vibrant health and upgrading my body. Avocados.

Right now, that all translates to one key asset — freedom. And that’s where lifestyle design comes in.

Call it minimalist living or the Tim Ferris effect, but for me it’s the ability to do what I want, when I want, how I want. And that’s precisely how I’ve set up Lean It UP and the other businesses I think about. I’m the boss and I report to myself. I hold myself accountable and I’m responsible for my own discipline. I can work from anywhere I want in the world. 

But I’m not stuck at a corporate 9-to-5, limited to 3 weeks of vacation time, or confined to a life that anyone else prescribes for me.

I travel on a whim. I work when I travel. And sometimes I don’t. But that’s my call. And it’s business as usual.

That’s my current formula. And I’m sure it’ll look completely different in 5 years when my priorities change. But the key point holds: you’re the architect of your own life, design it the way you want it to look.

On your own terms, noone else’s.