Life's Lesson #1

My ideal life is one in which I create more than I consume, spend quality time with the people I care about, tell good stories that inspire positive growth in others and have the freedom to do my creative work from wherever I want. That is how I define success.

Over the years, I've been reminded that designing a meaningful life that I love-where I live on my own terms and do what I genuinely enjoy-is possible.

Visions can be realized, and anyone who tells you otherwise is a cynic who has given up on the abundance of beauty that life has to offer. People will always project their fears and limiting beliefs onto you, the truth is. What you need to do is to construct a shield against the noise so that you can protect yourself from it.

But here's the catch; if you're waiting for someone to give you the go-ahead to start designing the life you want, you'll be waiting a long time. Nobody is going to come along and shove you down the path of your dreams. You must exert yourself. Nobody is going to come along and tell you that you can be yourself. You only need your own approval.

Yes, you can create a lifestyle in which you can do what you love every day. Your first step should be to accept responsibility for it. Define what makes life worthwhile for you, and build your life around it.

The second step is to recognize that doing what you enjoy will make your life any easier. In fact, forging your own path will be more difficult at first. Some days will be extremely difficult. You will have to work ten times as hard. You will have doubts about yourself. Everything will be called into question. Nonetheless, those are the most visible signs of growth and renewal.