Big State, Big Life

The term “lifestyle inflation” is generally used in reference personal finance. No matter how much someone earns, their spending tends to match their income. It can make money always feel a bit tight.

The Dangers of Goal Inflation

The same thing can happen with your goals. Once you get out of your comfort zone and shake off your limiting beliefs, you start to see yourself as able. You embrace uncomfortable. Your dreams and your world expand. You know you can take on big projects and make a huge difference in the world.

You make plans. You create goals. You start checking them off.

But then one day, you don’t feel like getting out of bed.

Those goals just start feeling like a lot of work. The “get to’s” have turned into “have to’s.”

You aren’t having very much fun.

You start letting things that aren’t important occupy your time. You start zoning out to bad television. It seems imperative that you play one more game of solitaire.

Each project you’ve committed to seems valuable and important and viable. But the sum total?

Soul-robbing busyness.

What is Life all About?

I’ve been pestering my friends, trying to garner their opinion, forcing them to dissect their philosophy on the meaning of life.

You think life is about being happy? But what does that mean? Happy all the time? What about the people who take on an epic adventure? That can’t be fun every minute?

I’ve been blathering on to my mastermind partner with whom I set weekly goals: But what is the overarching goal? What is the purpose? What is the why? Where are we going with all this? What are we hoping to accomplish?

I’ve been asking for rubrics to help evaluate whether a particular opportunity fits with the purpose.

Finally, it all came together after reading a post by Danielle Laporte:

We think that if we slow down, the dream machine will come to a stop. Or if we stop working so damn hard, we’ll have to do without. Or if we stop “processing so much,” we won’t get the deep love we crave. Simplifying what you put out doesn’t mean you have to expect less in return. Ease up on yourself, but don’t shrink your dreams.

Epiphany: I’ve been living as if easing up will create a less meaningful life.

It’s that same old scarcity mindset with a twist. Cheeky monkey mind.

Easing Up: The Most Important Item on Your To-Do List

What if you gave yourself permission to not do so much?

It isn’t that I’m advocating for keeping your goals small. Quite the opposite actually- I’m all for creating a really, big, scary, goal that makes you feel uncomfortable. But, I’m not for taking on too much. Be wary of goal inflation: doing less does not equal a less meaning or a smaller impact.

What if being happy and content rather than changing the world was the most effective way to actually change the world?

Don’t feel guilty for wanting to relax. Don’t feel guilty for just being.

Now, if you are numbing out, we might have to have a chat. But I’m all for in-the-moment bliss. As Danielle says, “if easing up makes you happier and more fulfilled, the universe will help you pull it off.”

As your life becomes more and more authentic and whole-hearted, there is less and less hiding behind your accomplishments. Taking care of your own stuff and Living Big is the best thing you can do for yourself and humanity.