“Today’s decisions are tomorrow’s realities.” — Tim Storey

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Most people live life by default.

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No one likes to admit this, of course.

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Here, we take advice from those who came before us and run with it.

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We plug into systems and follow the procedures. We get on the path.

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I’m not knocking this. The path can lead to a good life — and it’s right for most people.

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But maybe you want a remarkable life?

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Well, those living a remarkable life know that (a) you need to go against the grain and (b) you don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

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Eyes wide open.

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They’re intentional. They diversify. They deliver gifts to their Future Selves.

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They create life options.

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Generating life options

What are life options?

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Examples:

• Finances: multi-stream passive income
• Relationships: lots of people you can lean on
• Skills: timeless abilities that keep you ever-relevant in the marketplace

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Picture this…

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You have a beautiful travel destination in mind.

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Let’s call that destination Rome.

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You could take a one-lane highway to reach Rome.

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But if the bridge collapses, you’re screwed.

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To ensure you reach Rome, you’ll want alternatives: offramps, onramps, coastal routes, and mountain roads.

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You’ll want “reroute” options given the inevitable changes you’ll encounter in life.

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Indeed, there are many roads to Rome, but you need to create them.

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Create life options today that will be available tomorrow.

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Your Future Self will thank you.

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Intentional Diversification

So you have a choice to make: stick with the status quo or start intentionally diversifying?

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You can keep waking up and doing the same things — at work and home.

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You can aim for safety and predictability (as tricky as that is).

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Or…you can say:

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“I want a remarkable life.”

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“I’m going to live intentionally.”

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“I’m going to diversify.”

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“I’m creating life options.”

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Still with me? Good.

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Here’s how to get started.

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This is your jumpstart for Intentional Diversification. Absorb these ideas and craft your personalized strategy. Two primary concepts:

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1. Design and live an intentional life

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For an architect to build a badass mansion, they need a well-designed blueprint. It’s not a step-by-step plan, but a clear and compelling target they’re aiming at.

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In turn, you need to be the architect of your own life:

• Sketching a rich view of the life you want
• Continually sharpening it as you evolve
• Clearing away debris (self-sabotage)

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FYI, here’s a snapshot of where I’m aiming:

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Life design requires you dispense with your “reality,” which is merely a set of limiting beliefs in your head.

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Manifesting this design is a continual process of externalization (writing and speaking about your aim). You program it into your mind through repetition until your behaviors fully align with your target and achievement becomes inevitable.

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99% of the population is not living an intentional life. They’re just playing default games.

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Step up and be part of the 1%.

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2. Pull your diversification “levers”

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Cool, you’ve got V1 of your intentional life. Now what?

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Time to start taking aligned action — pulling levers.

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Remember, we want many roads to Rome, right? That requires making diverse “bets” that set you up with life options tomorrow.

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https://twitter.com/thejustinwelsh/status/1529074556077588480

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Using your talents and interests as a guide, make investments, expand your skillset, build new relationships, and push yourself into (uncomfortable) high-leverage opportunities.

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Here are some examples:

• Build your copywriting and sales skills (relevant everywhere and always)
• Develop a side hustle to open entrepreneurial options in the future
• Work hard to save $50K per year and invest that in cash-flowing assets (e.g., multi-family real estate)
• Hire a coach to challenge your thinking and shock you out of complacency
• Actively support your “heroes” on social media and build door-opening relationships with them

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Notice, these are all long-term plays. And that’s the point.

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“Play long-term games with long-term people.” —Naval Ravikant

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Your intentional life is built over a long time horizon. In turn, your diversified bets need time to produce fruits.

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This is Intentional Diversification.

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This is how you create the career and life you dream of.

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