Create your dream life: 3 Unconventional steps that actually work
Looks like a woman with secrets, don’t you think?
We’ve all heard the generic advice about "manifesting your dream life"—set goals, work hard, and stay positive. But let’s be real: if it were that simple, we’d all be living in our dream houses, working our dream jobs, and sipping coffee on a Tuesday morning without a care in the world.
The truth? Creating your dream life requires unconventional thinking and action. You can’t just hope things will change—you have to shift your approach completely.
Here are three unconventional (but incredibly effective) steps to create a life that actually feels fulfilling.
1. Stop “finding” your passion. Start following your curiosity.
One of the biggest myths about building a dream life is that you need to find your passion first. But waiting for a "passion epiphany" is what keeps most people stuck. The idea that you should wake up one day and just know your life’s purpose is not only unrealistic—it’s counterproductive.
What to do instead:
Follow your curiosity. Instead of pressuring yourself to find one "perfect" thing, start exploring what intrigues you. Passion isn’t found—it’s developed over time. Every successful person you admire started as a beginner, following an interest and seeing where it led.
Read: How to take action when you feel stuck
Ask yourself: "What are the things I could talk about for hours? What do I naturally research or get excited about?" Start there. If you love discussing personal growth, start a blog or journal about it. If you love painting but feel like an amateur, take a class. Interest leads to action, which leads to passion.
The key: You don’t have to commit to one thing forever. Instead, let yourself explore without pressure. Passion follows curiosity, not the other way around.
Take action: Pick one new thing to try this month that interests you—even if it’s just reading about it or taking a small action toward it. Allow yourself to be a beginner.
Read: Why following your curiosity works better than chasing passion
I mean, naps can be productive too.
2. Design your life around your energy (not just your schedule)
Most people try to build their dream life by focusing on "time management." They create packed schedules, to-do lists, and calendars—only to end up burned out and frustrated. But the real key isn’t managing time—it’s managing energy.
Think about it. If you schedule deep-focus work during the part of the day when you feel exhausted, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Instead of pushing through exhaustion, why not align your life with your natural energy rhythms?
Read: Design your life: A step-by-step guide to creating your dream life
What to do instead:
Identify when you’re naturally most productive, creative, and energized. Then, structure your life around those times.
Are you most creative in the morning? Use that time for brainstorming and deep work.
Do you feel energized in the afternoon? Schedule social or collaborative tasks then.
Is your energy low in the evening? Use that time for relaxation or low-energy tasks.
Read: Energy vs. time: A smarter way to structure your day.
Ask yourself: "When do I feel most motivated? When do I feel drained?" Instead of forcing yourself to work against your natural rhythm, start aligning your tasks with your highest energy points.
The key: Life feels more fulfilling when your most important work happens when you have the energy to do it well. Trying to force creativity at 9 PM when you’re exhausted won’t get you far—but doing it when you feel naturally motivated? Game-changer.
Take action: Keep a daily "energy journal" for a week. Track when you feel focused, sluggish, or inspired—then adjust your routine accordingly.
Read: How to build a life around your energy (not a schedule)
3. Make “failing fast” your secret weapon
Fear of failure is the #1 reason people stay stuck. They wait until they feel "ready"—but ready never comes. The reality is, the people who succeed aren’t necessarily the most talented or smartest—they’re the ones who take action despite fear.
Read: Micro-experiments: The secret to finding what you love
What to do instead:
Adopt the ‘fail fast’ mindset. The faster you try, fail, and adjust, the faster you get where you want to be.
Every “failure” is just data. It tells you what’s working and what’s not.
Instead of waiting for perfect timing, start imperfectly and learn as you go.
The biggest risk isn’t failing. It’s staying in the same place because you were too afraid to try.
Ask yourself: What’s one small, low-risk action I can take today that moves me forward? Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, take imperfect action. Small moves lead to big changes over time.
The key: The faster you fail, the faster you learn, adjust, and improve. Don’t aim for perfection—aim for progress.
Take action: Set a timer for 10 minutes and make a move toward your dream—whether that’s applying for something, emailing someone, or starting a rough draft. Done is better than perfect.
Read: How to overcome fear of failure & take action anyway
Creating your dream life isn’t about waiting for the stars to align. It’s about experimenting, tweaking, and learning as you go. So stop waiting for passion to strike. Follow your curiosity. Stop forcing yourself into an exhausting schedule. Align your life with your energy. Stop fearing failure. Embrace it as part of the process. The life you want won't be built in a day, but the way you approach it can change today.
What’s one small step you can take right now toward your dream life? Drop it in the comments.
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