I am just going to shift away from ‘lifestyle design’ topics because that is not the audience I want to attract. People like you don’t need a term to realize that we all have the power and responsibility to design our own lifestyles. My parents, grandparents and great grandparents all chose non-traditional paths in life. It is only recent generations that have gotten too comfortable off the hard work of our ancestors that need a phrase to justify their lack of work ethic.

The phrase ‘lifestyle design’ is now more about the schemes and short cuts. It is popular for people who are hoping for an easy way out. When they don’t find it, they will be back to their old lives.

I also agree that “what works well for you may not work for the next person.” There is no single, best lifestyle, however, there seem to be a lot of people talking as if there is.

Most of the people promoting low hour workweeks, travel lifestyles and retiring young are not even living that lifestyle themselves. I am amazed at how many travel bloggers there are who are not even traveling anymore. They did it once and now it is their entire identity.

Thanks for the kind comment! It is great to get feedback from readers.

I couldn’t agree with you more! Entrepreneurship is hard work but I too, wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I believe most of the people writing about ‘lifestyle design’ approach it as a dream they hope to aspire to one day. I haven’t encountered anyone really living the low hour workweek and ‘new rich’ lifestyle despite the dozens of interviews and hundreds of sites I have researched. There is a huge difference between the reality and the dream in my opinion.

The aspect which resonated most with me was being chained to the business. As a business owner I feel a strong loyalty and obligation to not only my clients but to my employees and service providers. When the going gets really tough quitting is not an option. In terms of complexity and life complication being an employee would be easier, but despite the hard work I wouldn’t trade the entrepreneurial life for anything.

Great article and I look forward to reading more and becoming a regular visitor!

You two are not behind the times, you are setting an example for the rest of us to follow.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks for continuing the dialogue! I appreciate your comments.

I agree that the work and effort he put in advance may have allowed him to cut down to four hour weeks. I also agree that there is no single method to designing your life. We all have infinite options to shape our lives in any way we want.

Tim says he went from $40,000 per year, which is income from a job, to $40,000 per month. I feel that implies that it is income. It probably is gross revenues, which in case would be highly misleading. Which is exactly my claim.

Thanks for the reply and the personal email.

I am not sure how you come to the conclusion that he made $40k/month net from just from that the quote. That really isn’t your main point in your post. Did he say he arrived at the latter situation by only working 4hrs a week. Nope. After he invested considerable time and effort into his business, he started automating and reduced his involvement. Is there only one true method of LD? Nope. It’s just call to conscious living, remembering to keep the big picture in mind.