Hey everyone,

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If there’s one thing I learned from spending over 20 years in the corporate world, it’s this:

If you don’t design your life, someone else will. And their plan won’t prioritize your family, your time, or your freedom.

Here’s a hard truth: in most workplaces, decisions are driven by the bottom line.

Your boss's messaging might prioritize people, but their focus is usually on their own goals.

Their career path. Their job security. Their opportunities. Their workload.

Any passing thought they give to you usually serves to move the needle on their objectives. In other words, if you want any of these things, it's up to you, not someone else.

But there’s good news. You have more control than you think, and you can create another path. I know because I’ve done it myself. (I recently shared my story here), and I see others doing it all the time.

Now, you may be wondering — lifestyle design sounds terrific, but what does it look like?

Here are three key steps I recommend:
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​1. Define a clear 5-year vision (30,000 ft): What does your ideal day look like? Consider time with family, schedule flexibility, target income, and where you’ll work and live. I've created a Google Doc specifically for this purpose. I call it my "Blue Sky Doc". If you're interested, reply to this email with "Blue Sky", and I'll send you a free copy to use!

2. Build while you’re still employed: I’ve seen people quit their jobs and “go all in” before they’re ready, and it almost always ends in failure. Build your business on the side of your 9-5. Your job becomes your safety net. You can take risks with your business without worrying about paying the mortgage or rent. Ideally, it will grow to a point where you can confidently do it full-time.

Not sure what type of business to start? This free 12-question side hustle quiz may provide some clarity.

3. Plan the landing, not just the leap: I'll warn you: Turning in your two weeks' notice is the easy part. The hard part is making the transition to working for yourself full-time. Setting aside a financial safety net of 6-12 months of living expenses is critical, but you also need to create your own structure with no boss telling you where to be and when.

Remember, you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to take your first step.

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Have a great week!
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Colin
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🚀 Are you ready to take action? Here's how we can connect:

→ Join the conversation: My Facebook group, The 9-5 Escape Project, is a place for like-minded people who want the freedom to work on their terms. It's also the easiest way to connect with me, as I hang out there almost daily. Hop in and start connecting

→ Follow along: I share insights, strategies, and behind-the-scenes looks at life outside the 9-5 on Instagram — come say hi!

→ Serious about your escape? If you're ready to create a roadmap out of your 9-5, let’s talk. Book a FREE 30-minute introductory call with me to determine if my one-on-one coaching program is the right fit for you. [ Book your call here! ]

No matter where you are on your journey, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Let’s do this!

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