5 Big-Picture Approaches To Upgrade Your Life

Time to go big.

How have things been going?

About the same? Maybe a little less than you’d like it to be?

Maybe it’s high time to not only think about moving forward but moving forward in a big way.

Sometimes, the best changes are those that require giant leaps.

But those giant leaps shouldn’t be seen as impossible.

Here are four easily-attainable ways you can go about applying some serious upgrades to your life.

1. Make a Bucket List

It sounds like a cliche, but a bucket list can change your life.

One problem many people have is they set their goals and their ambitions around their current life. Writers set goals to sell a novel. Business people strive for that first million. Some runners set a goal to run a certain number of marathons.

Instead, flip that script and put ambitions and goals above your current life.

Climb a mountain. Learn judo. Hell, don’t shrink away from cliches and schedule that skydiving session if you can afford it now.

Then pilot your life in such a way that you can cross off those bucket list items and see how your life changes along the way.

And by changes, I mean changes for the better.

2. Turn a Five-Year Plan Into a Two-Year Plan

There is almost always a faster, more efficient way to execute your long-term plans than you initially thought. In fact, sometimes, setting goals can slow your progress because you feel you need to tackle every step individually and in order.

You could start writing that novel now instead of in six months when you think you’ll be finished outlining or researching it. You could take some free classes to build your skillset as you prepare for a career move. You could visit your bank to learn where you stand in getting approved for a mortgage now instead of waiting a couple more years.

This isn’t about rushing but about taking initiative and not holding yourself to arbitrary timelines. Be prepared enough, but don’t freeze your progress by over-preparing or fretting.

3. Build a Solid Savings Account

I know this can be difficult, with so many families living paycheck to paycheck. That said, I’ve learned firsthand how useful squirreling away a small percentage of your pay into a savings account can be.

In the United States, most families are a single major car repair or minor hospital bill away from being totally broke. By putting away 5 or 10 percent of your earnings into a savings account (not checking), then you have a small cushion for catastrophe.

Do it long enough, and you could also use those savings as a down payment on something like a house or car.

4. Commit To One or Two Radical Changes Each Year

Take some risks and try things you’ve never done before.

This could be a significant change to a more healthy diet or a new career path.

This could be the year you shave your head. Or try out a whole new wardrobe look.

Have more fun and tackle some of the things you may have been procrastinating.

Whatever you decide to do, ask yourself if your current path is enough and that maybe it’s worth trying something new — even something new and big.

If you’re thinking of a significant upgrade to your life, embrace the idea of moving outside your comfort zone.

5. Redefine What Wealth and Happiness Mean

To you, at least.

Too many people try to tell us what wealth is and what happiness is. That way is pretty much a guarantee for disappointment.

What will satisfy you more is taking some time to ask yourself what you really need to be happy. Is it money, or only money? Or is it friendship, family, love, or something else? Is it success?

How would you define wealth? When will you be wealthy enough?

Photo by Xavier Mouton Photographie on Unsplash

It’s easy to dismiss the desire for wealth with the idea of “more money, more problems,” but the simple fact is that money can solve a lot of problems and a ton of stress.

I think it’s more the pursuit of wealth that causes the most problems because it distracts us from gaining happiness with friends, family, and love.

I’m not going to tell you that you only need so much wealth. You have to decide that for yourself and then figure out how you’re going to get there without sacrificing your sanity and health.

Ask Yourself This One Crucial Question

What’s the best that could happen?

There, that’s it.

Don’t worry about the negatives. Look at changes to your life as a massive upgrade. Look at it as the best things that could happen to you, and they’re happening because of you.

And go forward.

Cheers!

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