How to Live a Good Life on Our Own Terms
Hi Medium fam,
I want to share with you a thought-provoking conversation I had with the insider group of Epic 12 execution this week (launched in Aug),
which is also a common question we ask ourselves from time to time:
How do we live a good life?
It’s a question that’s as old as humanity itself, and yet, it remains as relevant and personal as ever.
Perhaps it’s not directly relevant to business execution, but in my view it’s very much relevant because how we operate life affects how we operate business.
This article contains the outline of the discussion that aims to inspire you to think about the topic of “how to live a good life”.
It is by no means the whole of the conversation because it’s an exclusive piece for the insiders.
In the yearly mastermind, we would also have this kind of discussion and conversation.
Part 1: The Struggle Within
Let’s start with the daily struggle we all face — the one where we constantly compare ourselves to an ideal that often seems just out of reach.
We all have an “ideal lifestyle” idea — usually with a big house,
We’re our own toughest critics, always striving for perfection, always pushing ourselves to do better.
In other words, always thinking that we’re not enough yet, we haven’t reached the ideal yet…
But is this constant striving really the key to a good life?
Or is it perhaps more about finding a balance, accepting our imperfections, and learning to be at peace and happy with who we are and where we are?
Part 2: The Financial Dilemma
Money, finances, and retirement — these are topics that can weigh heavily on our minds.
The prospect of not having enough to retire comfortably is a common fear.
We live in a world where financial security is often equated with happiness, and the idea of a significant lump sum seems like the golden ticket to a worry-free retirement.
We often think that we need a significant lump sum amount to “live happily ever after”, to retire for good.
The lump sum represents a sense of freedom and control. It’s the idea that with one large payment, we can invest, travel, or live out our retirement dreams without the constraints of a monthly budget.
It’s the financial equivalent of winning the lottery — a windfall that can change our lives overnight.
But that significant lump sum amount seems so far away — it’s part of the “ideal” that we wish we have, but it often feels just out of reach.
At the same time,
the pressure to save enough while managing current expenses, dealing with inflation, and planning for the unknown can be overwhelming.
Let’s take a step back and consider the practicalities.
A lump sum, while attractive, comes with its own set of risks.
How will you invest it? What if you outlive your savings (die with zero is one of the books that we’ll dive into in the yearly mastermind — investment stream)?
Part 3: Redefining the Question
I put out my own thoughts for the group’s reference:
Maybe the question we should be asking isn’t “What kind of life do we want?” but rather “Do we have the ability to create it?”
It’s less about the ideal — what it is, whether we are worthy of it etc.
but more about our ability.
If we upgrade our abilities, to be able to make our “ideal” the reality, it’ll not be a problem of what or worth.
It’s a shift in perspective that can be empowering.
Instead of focusing on an ideal that might be unattainable, we start to look at the resources we have, the skills we can develop, and the steps we can take towards the life we desire.
e.g. in the yearly mastermind — business stream, if you are equipped (translate: learn, apply and intentionally practice) with the profitable skills of 1. knowledge to cash 2. magnetic branding 3. simplified marketing 4. easeful, profitable sales + launch 5. abundance mindset, and being able to build a business that doubles or even triple your income, would it allow you to come closer to your “ideal”?
e.g. in the yearly mastermind — investment stream, if you’re equipped (translate: learn, apply and intentionally practice) with the profitable skills of setting up your personalised investment philosophy and system, so that money works for you and you make passive income, would it allow you to come closer to your “ideal”?
The question we should be asking isn’t “What kind of life do we want?” but rather “Do we have the ability to create it?”
Part 4: The Illusion of the Market
The market is constantly telling us that a good life is one that’s filled with the latest gadgets, the trendiest clothes, and the most luxurious experiences.
That’s marketing, my dear.
Ads promise that by buying their products or services, we’ll achieve happiness.
But is this really the case?
Or are we being sold an illusion?
Not that the goods / services are not good, or they won’t add to happiness or quality of life (most of them do have an effect), but would we be unhappy without it?
would we be less without it?
Part 5: Allowing for Mistakes
One of the most important aspects of living a good life is allowing ourselves the space to make mistakes.
I could be the last person to say that because I used to beat myself up so, so much for the real estate investment mistake I’ve made (those in the Freedom Portfolio program would know).
It took me years to let myself go (stop beating myself up).
But looking back, that mistake allows me to see myself, people around me, and my money beliefs more clearly.
As we navigate this journey, it’s crucial to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to a good life.
What works for one person might not work for another. (that’s where it gets hard right? we can’t even take reference because that’s pretty meaningless LOL)
That’s why having this kind of discussion and conversation in the insider group is one of the most enjoyable experiences.
It inspires you to know which thoughts align with you more, which thoughts you disagree with — that reveals a lot about you.
And in the process, you get to know yourself more and more.
That could be the real reward.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. What does a good life mean to you? How do you plan to create it?
DM IG @simplifiedbusinesscoach
If you enjoy this article and want to join the insider discussion, the yearly mastermind is your place — you can choose to learn business or investment or both in 2025. Details in the doc here.
See you inside!
To your success,
Connie
Simplified business coach
