The Lifestyle Design Anthem: “My Way”.

If there’s one song for me that sums up lifestyle design better than any other it’s “My Way”. I believe it could well serve as the lifestyle design anthem. You’re probably most familiar with Frank Sinatra’s version, so let’s take a look at the lyrics to make sure I’m on the ball and haven’t just been smoking crack cocaine again.

Live life to the max.

My Way.

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.

I’ve lived a life that’s full.
I’ve traveled each and every highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Lifestyle design is about experiencing as much as you can in life. In other words, you’re living a life that’s full experiencing love, travel, friendship, meaningful career, challenging yourself, etc. As you go through life, you’ll experience the good and the bad that life throws at you. Most importantly you’ll live life the way you want to and not according to what society, parents, peers expect you to live. You’ll live your way.

Don’t hang onto regrets.

Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

As a lifestyle designer, you’ll want to be able to look back on your life from any point of time and not regret the past. Like the song says, you may have some regrets but in the context of your entire life they aren’t worth mentioning. Overall, you should have lived your life is such a way that you’re happy.

If you’re only now coming to realize the benefits of lifestyle design, then start moving forward aiming for ways to bring more meaning and happiness into your life. Also, remember that one of the best ways for your life to have meaning is for you to help other people.

As a lifestyle designer, you should know what you need to do to achieve your goals. You’ll be committed and focused carrying out your plans to reach your goals.

You’ll make detailed plans and will move towards your goal, step by step. Remember to make your plan suitable for you. Everyone is different, so you’ll have to tailor plans in order to reach your goals your way. This will help you to enjoy the all important journey of life and not just looking forward to reaching your destination (goal).

Don’t be sad if you fail to achieve every goal.

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

In life, you’ll set yourself some big goals and may fail to achieve some. That’s okay. You’ll learn so much by doing that. Remember, never feel shame in failing to achieve your goal or when circumstances don’t let you carry out your plans. Face all hardship by standing tall.

Take the good with the bad.

I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried.
I’ve had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

Realize that life will be full of good times and the bad times. It’s okay to have times in life when you cry. Life gives but it also takes. Life will take from you some of the dearest things in different ways. It can take loved ones through illness and death; friends will move away; children will leave home; income streams will dry up.

It’s alright to be sad at those times, but you shouldn’t be carrying around that sadness with you for the rest of your life. Your tears should subside and as you think of the joy those people and things brought you before you lost them you should be able to smile and see the happiness you had and can have if you cherish those memories and think positively.

Life also allows you experience joys such as the birth of your child, children graduating, being independent and not reliant on someone else to provide a job for you, friendships and relationships, sunsets, etc.

Show and tell people about the great things you’ve done.

To think I did all that;
And may I say – not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.

It’s okay to recall all the great things you’ve done. Don’t be shy about telling and showing people, just remember to do it in a tasteful and humble way. Watch out for arrogance. Arrogance must be avoided. Arrogance nullifies all the good you’ve done for people because your selflessness turn to selfishness once you start boasting. Instead show people what you’ve done so that you may inspire them to achieve great things in their own lives.

Remain free by remaining true to yourself.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!

Make sure you keep yourself free from superficial constraints. To do that, you need to be yourself. Don’t try to be someone else. As the song says if you’re not being yourself, then you have nothing, you’re a slave. Say what you feel, albeit respectfully. Are you going to get down on your knees and cower before life or stand tall and take everything it throws at you? Will you conform to how everyone expects you to or will you live your life your way?

Your turn.

Do you agree that “My Way” is the most suitable lifestyle design anthem? Do you have other suggestions for songs that may be a good alternative? Do you think I’ve interpreted the lyrics accurately or have I gone senile? Please let me know in the comments section below. Thank you.

Related posts:

1. Powerful Written Goal Statements For Lifestyle Design.
2. Lifestyle Design Begins At Home.
3. Create Powerful Affirmations For Lifestyle Design.
4. Lifestyle Designers Should Set Financial Goals.
5. 7 Personal Characteristics For Effective Lifestyle Design.