I just got back from a fun night/morning in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Yup, that’s right…I drove five hours to the middle of nowhere to watch Phil the groundhog make his yearly prediction.
And as I was standing there, freezing my butt off, I had a random thought. Something I want to share with you today. But before we get to that, let me give you a bit of background…
What Lifestyle Design Means to Most People
I know many people who’ve read Tim Ferriss’s 4 Hour Workweek and had a distorted opinion about lifestyle design. They think you have to quit your job, give away your possessions, and travel the world to enjoy life.
That’s not the message that I got from my book.
To me, lifestyle design means something different. In a word, it represents ‘freedom.’ The freedom to live my life on my terms. No boss checking over my shoulder. No morning commute. And no working at a job I hate. I wake up every morning and get to do what I want to do.
What Phil the Groundhog Taught Me
When I stood there in the cold this morning, I realized that you don’t have to fly halfway around the world and trek up a mountain to find fulfillment in life.
Sometimes a rewarding activity can be found in your own backyard (Okay, so Punxsutawney isn’t exactly my backyard but you get the point).
A common mistake I see people making is planning out over-elaborate vacations.
What they don’t realize is lifestyle design isn’t just about traveling the world. It’s having the freedom to say yes whenever you’re presented with something that’s a unique experience.
So yeah, I nearly froze to death. And I know Groundhog Day is a really corny event where people listen to a ‘talking weather-rat.’
But today was an experience I’ll remember the rest of my life.
Sometimes it’s the day-to-day things that provide the real value in life.
What Day-to-Day Experiences Do You Want?
I have fun doing goofy things like driving five hours to see a groundhog. If I didn’t have an online business, there’s no way today could have happened. I would be too busy working my 9 to 5 job.
So if you have a “job” what fun things do you feel like you’re missing? Spending more time with family? Enjoying your hobbies? Learning new skills? Relaxing?
Today Punxsutawney Phil reminded me that it’s important to enjoy the little things in life. Maybe this post will do the same for you.
Funny Groundhog Day Pictures
Well I don’t want you to miss out on all the fun. Below are a few pictures that I took from today’s (and last night’s) Groundhog Day’s festivities.
[flickrset id=”72157623338185100″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”large”]
Let me know what you think!
Take Action. Get Results.
Hi Scott,
I discovered your blog yeaterday, and started reading from your first post (currently page 15 or 16) and just wanted to let you know how much it resonates with me.
A little over a year ago I was running my own florist shop in Doncaster UK, working 6 days a week (sometimes 7) 12-16 hours a day.
I closed the shop in May because it just wasn’t making money due to the recession and the downward spiral of the shopping precinct it was located in, having no idea ‘what now?’
Before I was a florist, I was a website designer/ copy writer/ ghostwriter for my then partner’s hosting company clients, and way back in 2000 we had a small affiliate marketing site that made a whopping £50 a month after four months, which then got hijacked by my ex for his network marketing business.
For reasons I won’t go into, a short while after closing the shop, I walked out on my life, and moved over 100 miles away to join a new partner, with no income, no possessions to speak of (I left with my laptop, blackberry phone and ipod, and a few changes of clothes)
From May-September 2009 I was at a loss, couldn’t find a job as a florist because all the shops down here were closing or downsizing too, and the only jobs I was offered were sales, mostly commission only. Soul destroying for me.
So in September, I started freelance writing and writing articles for content sites online. The first month I made probably about £5, the second £80, from the third month on I’ve been making around £400 a month, enough to cover my basic bills and make a contribution to household expenses.
Obviously I’d like to be making more, and I’m aiming for £1000 a month by the end of this year and building on that, but the point is, I can work anywhere (my laptop had inbuilt wireless broadband, which may be more expensive than a landline, but comes with much more freedom) any time I like, and I can choose my projects.
I’m working on building my income passively, with revenues generated from ads on articles etc, but over the past couple of weeks have been thinking back to that budding affiliate site. Stilll not sure whether I’ll stick to writing or move to affiliate marketing, but either way, I’m working on building that passive income to give me more freedom.
But reading this post reminds me of the freedom I already have. I was going to write a series of articles for one of the content mills today, but then an assignment for a higher paid article came in. While I’m waiting for the details to be posted, I decided to read the whole of your blog, first post to last, instead, and hang the time ‘wasted.’
As far as I’m concerned, taking the time to read through so many well written and informative posts is a great way to spend a ‘green day,’ recharge the mental batteries and get some focus, so I just wanted to say thanks, and enjoy your travels.
Gail
I guess I’m not the only one raiding your blog Steve! 😉
Yeah, I’ve been reading back to your first post and I haven’t yet made enough income to pay the bills but enough to know that it works and that with a little tweaking I can get more done. Hence, the 1000 Articles Challenge was a nice kick in the rear because it gave me back the money I invested in my domain names and web hosting. Hence, with a little effort, anything can be done.
Your brother BTW is a great inspiration. When is he getting his blog up? LOL. No rush, I just can’t keep up with the article marketing fever he’s gotten but it’s great to be within great company that is awesomely kicking arse.
As for the little things in life. If it wasn’t for trying out blogging, I would never have quit my job sitting behind a desk. No really, just being watched by others and wondering if I’ve done something wrong day in and out. I guess like yourself, I prefer the freedom to learn, do the things which are silly to many and just be in the moment to ‘experience’ life.
Well, I’ve said enough already.
Your blog has taken up an hour of my day today. Hehe, I’ll spare another tomorrow. 😛
Talk soon Steve,
Thu
Thu,
Hehe, glad you liked it! Nice to see some of the old content is getting looked at, even though I think my writing and focus were a little “rougher” back then. Gene is here in NJ Visiting for the Holidays now. We are debating whether he sould make Niche sites first some extra $$, a quicker blog or fullblown blog. He kinda needs the extra money and blogs do take a heck of a long time to start to generate any revenue (as I am sure you know).
Hopefully an hour of your time reading the blog is not wasted. 😉 Thanks for reading and commenting!
I watch the film Groundhog Day every February 2. I know every nuance and have entertained myself imagining all the things Phil Conners must have tried that went on off camera. The original script is online (somewhere) and suggests that the weatherman may have spent 10,000 years reliving the same day. He was trapped in one day but was free to live life on his own terms. What’s compelling to me is that he is able to “edit” the day to his (nearly) exact specifications. We all have the same ability, despite the absence of perfect knowledge, to make every day an adventure of our own creation. But most of us don’t. Good for you to travel so far to see the furry Phil.