How to Live a Life by Design
why 1% matters more than 10%
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." - C.S. Lewis
You go through each day reacting rather than creating your reality…
This “default mode” can lead to dissatisfaction and regret.
Every day, you make countless choices shaping your life…
Are you consciously choosing or reacting?
Do you pause to check in with yourself and see if your choices align with your bigger vision?
Do you even have a bigger vision?
If you do, what do you say to things that don't serve you or this vision?
How do you redirect your focus to what matters most?
Listen, I’m telling you, you DO have the power to choose.
And you’re reading this thinking… Uhm, yeah, Nadeem, I know I do.
Ok, then, WHY are you not actualizing your potential?
Hey, some of you may be, and if so, then cheers 🥂 this week’s letter isn’t for you.
But if not, then let’s continue.
Living life as a conscious creator, you can design the life you want.
You can build brick by brick, day by day, literally one brick at a time.
Jeff Olson, the author of The Slight Edge, calls this… yeah, you guessed it, “The Slight Edge.”
And there is magic to this 1% improvement over time concept.
The truth is, what you do matters.
What you do today matters.
What you do everyday matters.
Successful people do the things that seem to make no difference in the act of doing them.
And they do them over and over and over until the compound effect kicks in.
The slight edge isn’t about overhauling your life overnight.
It’s about improving by just 1% every day.
It’s about reading just 10 pages of a book.
Writing for just 20 minutes.
Or sitting still in silence for just 5 minutes.
These actions might not feel groundbreaking in the moment, but over time, they accumulate into profound transformations.
Consider the story of J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, who offers a perfect example of the slight edge in action.
Before Rowling became one of the most famous writers in the world.
She was a struggling single mother living on welfare, battling depression, and trying to write in her spare moments.
The creation of the Harry Potter series involved years of small, consistent efforts.
Rowling outlined the series for five years and then wrote the first book over another six years, often writing in cafes while her baby daughter slept beside her (take a moment to let that set in).
Her dedication to writing a little bit every day, despite numerous rejections and personal challenges, ultimately led to the publication of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."
The series went on to become a global phenomenon. Rowling's story is a testament to just 1% each day and belief in one’s vision, which led to extraordinary success.
Okay, Nadeem. I get it. I have to start today and do it a little bit at a time. Where do I start?
Well, for one, you can check out the 1-3-5 Framework I swiped from Gary Keller but adjusted to fit the modern-day creator. Just click here to learn more.
Its purpose is to help you make a 1-page plan (yes, only 1-page) to gain clarity and focus for a specific outcome (goal) along with your priorities and tasks to support it so you can track results.
I’ve been in love with this simple one-page framework for years.
And it’s served as North Star for multiple businesses exceeding goals unimaginable.
Yes, it’s only $7, but if you can’t afford $7 for a framework that has helped hundreds of our students and has been downloaded by thousands of our readers in our creator community (see receipts below), then just respond to this email, and I’ll give it to you for free.
I won’t hold this back from you if you genuinely cannot afford it.
Receipts: 🧾
But if you don’t want to pay for it because you’re afraid to invest yourself, well…then I don’t think I can help you regardless.
Either way, you can check it out and get into it here, then decide.
And if you don’t want to, no worries!
Here are some key steps to clarifying your vision and creating a life by design.
Be Clear on Your Vision:
Take time to get crystal clear on the life you want to create.
Visualize your ideal daily routine, relationships, career, health, home, etc.
For real, write it down - get specific.
The more detailed your vision, the deeper the alchemical factor in making it a reality.
Create Routines:
The habits and routines you implement are the building blocks of your designed life.
Identify daily practices that will move you toward your goals.
For example, starting each morning with meditation, exercise, and journaling.
Or start your morning like me with some sunlight, walk with the pup, then work on MY vision in my underwear until 10 am, then work on my day job.
Lol, either way, it works; YOU get to design your life.
Routines create structure and momentum.
Become the Architect of Your Environment:
Your environment has a massive influence on who you become.
Purposely design your surroundings to support your vision.
Surround yourself with inspiring people, places, info sources, tools, and reminders of your vision.
Your environment can work for you.
Expect Obstacles as Part of the Process:
Challenges will inevitably arise as you work towards your goals.
Expect this to be a necessary part of the growth process.
Maintain perspective when obstacles come up.
Stay focused on your vision and keep taking steps forward.
With commitment and flexibility, you can navigate any challenge.
Final Thoughts:
Manifesting your vision doesn't happen overnight.
There will be ups and downs, progress and setbacks.
Trust that as long as you keep taking aligned action, you are moving in the right direction.
Your desires are coming to fruition in perfect timing.
Keep the faith and enjoy the journey.
Being intentional about how you live each day, you take control.
Make conscious choices, create empowering routines, design your environment, and trust the process.
What are your biggest takeaways? Tell me below, please 🤓
Big Love, Nadeem
Here’s a picture of me and the big faty Milli the Meatball at the park.
I hope you loved today’s letter as much as I love this lil house hippo 🦛 💨
Whenever you're ready, there are 2 ways I can help you:
→ Build 1 Thing Community -If you're looking for traction in your personal brand or business, I'd recommend joining the Build 1 Thing community.
→ Somatic Breathwork - Using the breath, you will engage your innate ability to heal and sweep out any defenses, blockages, restrictions, or pains that hold you back from who you are and how you want to show up in this world.