The last and final lifestyle change in our series of 5, for me is the most interesting. Daring to take a break from working to be able to work on that long-desired project that really is at the heart of what makes you tick, is extremely exciting.
The types of projects we can imagine are almost limitless:
- Take a world tour (with or without your family 🤔) – this is probably the most common project🌏
- Take an extended road trip🚙
- Renovate a house/apartment 🏡
- Do up a boat ⛵, vintage car 🚗, racing car 🏎 , antiques 🏺, or whatever takes your fancy 😍
- Work on a humanitarian project 🤼♂️
- Learn to play a musical instrument 🎸
- Learn to be a computer programmer 💻
- Write your memoirs 📖 (or any other type of book for that matter)
- Climb Mount Everest or any other mountain that is calling you 🗻
- Learn a new language 👅
- Complete a triathlon 🏃♂️🏊♂️🚴♂️
- Etc
Why do I say that its the most exciting lifestyle change you can make? Its because its the lifestyle change where you really give into your personal desires and put your professional life to the side (at least for a while) to fully benefit from the passion that brings you enormous happiness (or otherwise, why do it?) is just simply wonderful. Many people never find the courage to do it, at the risk of it becoming a major regret later in life.
For the people that find a solution to be able to work on their long-desired projects, they really give themselves a gift of pure freedom. For these people, it’s not possible to ignore that life continues to go on alongside their projects, but they do create a situation to allow them to benefit 100% from their passion which is truly awesome.
In order to be responsible, this type of lifestyle change should be planned in advance to ensure that there is no risk on the financial aspects supporting the lifestyle, just like any other lifestyle change.
One final time lets follow Vincent and Julie through a demonstration video as they work through their idea to make a lifestyle change around a project that is important for them. They use the financial simulation application, EFILYM to support their reflections and to prepare their project.
There are no hard and fast rules for this type of lifestyle change. There are so many types of projects that require different financial resources and levels of time off that it would be foolish and arrogant of me to tell you how to make a lifestyle change to be able to work on your passionate project. What I will say however is that solid preparation is the key. The financial preparation is important and simulating different scenarios based on how much money and time you need to work on your project will all make a big difference in the way you prepare. Mental preparation is equally, if not more important in order to build confidence in your plan. Many people would love to give them the chance to do what they love but the financial aspects scare them so much that mentally it’s just too scary, and so they never get started. If you can start the investigation and planning phases of your project and you really have the willingness to make it happen, then the chances are high that you will find a way to bring your project to fruition.
Taking a pause to work on your long-desired project, implies that you will do just that, ie take a pause. This also implies that you might go back to your traditional lifestyle after your project is completed. This may not be the case, and your project may be the catalyst for further lifestyle changes afterward. You could embark on any of the five lifestyle change types covered in this lifestyle change series of articles. In my experience, people who have found the courage to be able to make one lifestyle change, are more likely to follow up with another one at a later stage. It can become addictive for some people, always looking to re-invent themselves. I’m not suggesting that you consider doing this, but what I am saying is that the first time around is the hardest. If you can build a plan to be able to live the experiences that bring you happiness and freedom, then I’m sure you will never regret it.
Have you been dreaming about a particular lifestyle project for a while now and are on the verge of taking it forward? If yes, tell me more! I’d love to get your feedback and experiences. Feel free to leave your comments below ⬇.
Photo Credit: Photo by Bryan Minear on Unsplash
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclaimer for more information.
