“Your life sounds like so much fun. You’re so lucky that you get to live an extraordinary life.”
That’s a phrase I often hear as I travel full-time and work as a digital nomad.
But it’s not only luck.
A few years ago I never imagined I would be living this way. I didn’t expect to be my own boss or to spend months at a time exploring new places. It’s surprising how much can change in a short period of time.
This life feels extraordinary to me, but everyone has their own definition of what an extraordinary life looks like.
No matter how you define it—whether you want to travel, retire early, launch a business, build a homestead, volunteer, or pursue something else—you can make it happen.
An extraordinary life can take any shape you choose.
All you need to do is aim for it and take the first steps toward it.
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If you want to live your best life, here are practical steps to get started. Remember:
We have one precious life: do something extraordinary today, even if it’s tiny. A pebble starts the avalanche. ~K.A. Laity
How to live an extraordinary life:
Stop making excuses.
The first step toward an extraordinary life is to stop making excuses.
Excuses come in many forms—the reasons we tell ourselves something won’t work, why a goal is impossible, or why now isn’t the right time. Everyone makes them, but if you want change you must recognize excuses for what they are.
Think back to the last time you said, “That won’t work for me because…” and ask whether you were truly blocked or just avoiding effort. As a personal finance professional, I hear many reasons people believe they can’t save, pay off debt, or pursue dreams. Often those are excuses that stop progress before it can start.
There will be legitimate setbacks and hard moments—dreams rarely unfold without challenge. Still, before declaring something impossible, examine whether you’re simply giving up too soon. Once you identify those excuses, take concrete steps to move forward.
Go for your extraordinary life.
What makes you feel alive, curious, and motivated? Focus on that. Your extraordinary life should reflect your values and desires, not someone else’s expectations—so long as your choices are legal and ethical.
Stop trying to live according to other people’s scripts. If you spend your energy chasing approval, you’ll waste precious time. Instead, decide what you want and pursue it:
- If adventure calls to you, plan an adventurous life.
- If you want a family, start preparing for that future.
- If a new career excites you, take steps to make the change.
- If you want to create impact, begin taking action to do so.
Naming your dream is the first step to making it real. A clear goal keeps you focused and accelerates progress.
Forget about what people think.
Many people hesitate because they fear judgement. Often those fears are imagined—and even if they aren’t, other people’s opinions don’t have to control your choices.
I used to worry a lot about what others thought. Letting go of that concern has been liberating. Negative opinions can limit you, so practice dismissing them and asking, “Who cares?” Focus on what’s right for you instead of conforming to expectations.
Welcome the unknown.
Changing your life usually brings new and unfamiliar experiences. Some people avoid these because they fear change, but the unknown often contains the most meaningful growth.
New situations can reshape your priorities, teach lessons, and build confidence. That said, you can embrace the unknown responsibly by preparing for likely outcomes. A realistic plan and financial safety net can reduce anxiety and make transitions smoother—for example, build an emergency fund before leaving a steady job so you have breathing room while you pursue your next step.
Step outside your comfort zone.
When was the last time you tried something new? An extraordinary life often requires leaving familiar territory and taking risks.
Many people live comfortably inside a narrow routine, but growth happens when you expand your limits. Yes, it can be uncomfortable, yet those experiences can broaden your perspective and transform your outlook. Try setting a goal to do something new each day, week, or month to build momentum.
Improve your confidence.
Confidence plays a central role in achieving big goals.
A lack of confidence can:
- Keep you from believing in yourself.
- Make you too shy to pursue opportunities.
- Force you into choices you dislike.
- Undermine important meetings or chances.
- Contribute to dissatisfaction and regret.
Conversely, confidence opens doors: better jobs, stronger networks, more fulfilling relationships, travel, and more. Success rarely comes easily; if it did, it would be commonplace. To live fully, start believing in your abilities, stop excusing yourself, and focus on how to turn obstacles into actionable steps.
If you want to learn strategies to build confidence, consider resources like Be More Confident And Get What You Want In Life.
Failure is a part of life.
Failure can sound daunting, but treat it as a learning opportunity rather than a final verdict.
When you take risks and try new paths, setbacks are likely. That’s normal and often necessary—without trying, you’ll never know what might work. Accept failure as part of the process, learn from it, and you’ll be better prepared the next time.
Don’t let life pass you by.
It’s easy to postpone living while waiting for some future moment. Years can slip away while you assume “in ten years” everything will be different.
Ask yourself what you can do now to bring your life closer to your vision. Planning for the future is important, but so is enjoying the present in realistic, meaningful ways.
Realize that you’ll have to make sacrifices.
Pursuing an extraordinary life often requires trade-offs. You might work long hours, pay off debt, postpone expensive purchases, or give up short-term comforts to reach long-term goals.
If the dream truly matters to you, those sacrifices will feel worthwhile. Keep the end goal in sight and let it guide the choices you make along the way.
Do you want to live an extraordinary life? What does an extraordinary life mean to you?