Where's My Trust Fund?

What would you do with your life if money was no object?

Get past the initial quit my job immediately reflex, and really imagine this scenario.  Depending on how your mind works, it may be helpful to start writing some of these things down, let your mind flow freely.

I find this a valuable exercise because in my mind my trust fund life is synonymous with my dream life and gets at what I really want out of my life.

Here are a few things on my list:

Give more to charity.

Go to Paris regularly.  Walk all over the city, enjoying croissants in the morning and leisurely dinners over wine in the evening.

Spend more time with friends and family.

Go to yoga 5 times a week.  Ok, maybe I’d have my yoga teacher come to me.

Buy waterfront property near where I currently live.

Fly first class.  Exclusively.

What is not on this list is as important as what is.  I’d still live in my current city.  I would probably take a much longer maternity leave, but I would most likely still work.  My job might be slightly different, but this is what helped motivated me to start this blog.

In addition, notice how many things on this list involve time more than money.    As a result of doing this exercise I have been able to take a step closer to my ‘dream life’ today.  After business school, I moved back to my hometown so I could spend more time with my family.  Doing this exercise recently motivated me to make a commitment to go to yoga at least once a week.  Before having a baby last year, I was actually able to get quite close to my 5 times a week goal.

It is easy to fall in the trap of thinking it is only money holding you back from doing the things you want to do.  However, by figuring out what it is you really want out of life, some things are achievable today.

So I challenge you to dream, what would you do if money was no object?  Are there steps you can take to make your life more like your dream life today?