Are You a Lifestyle Designer or a Lifestyle Lemming?
Since Tim Ferriss coined the phrase “lifestyle design” it has come to be all the rage especially in the community of aspiring location independents. Somehow a term whose two words could conjure a broad spectrum of life possibilities has come to be pigeonholed to translate to “design your life to emulate Tim Ferriss, start an online business, hire virtual assistants and go galavanting around the world taking a variety of classes”. OK, so I didn’t have a great reaction to the “4 Hour Work Week”. It may be because I read it in a small hut in Costa Rica during a horrible case of Montezuma’s revenge, howler monkies roaring outside my window. When you’re running to the toilet after every couple of pages it’s bound to have an effect on your enjoyment of a book.
Don’t get me wrong – I acknowledge that Tim has some very good ideas and had the brilliance to come up with his own language and coin terms like “lifestyle design”. Because of his book the idea of location independence has hit the general public and more people are aware of this possibility in their lives. That’s amazing and also what we are hoping to help with at Nu Nomad. What rubs me wrong about the book, though, is the template given that to be location independent means setting up an online business via Ferriss fashion. I don’t like people being led to believe that there is only one way of doing things. And as a woman, I found the whole good-old-boy frat voice pretty irritating (just had to get that one off my chest).
The Definition of a Lifestyle Designer
Let’s take a look at the term “lifestyle designer”.
The definition for
“lifestyle”
according to Merriam Webster’s online dictionary is:
: the typical way of life of an individual, group, or culture
And according to Merriam Webster a
“designer”
is:
: one that designs: as
a
: one who creates and often executes plans for a project or structure <urban designers>
So, we can put this together to mean that a lifestyle designer is one who creates a plan for a typical way of life. The word I want to emphasize here is CREATE. CREATE – not “copy”, not “emulate”.
The Definition of Lemming
Now, since the topic of this post is discerning whether you’re a designer or a lemming we must look at the definition for lemming.
According to good old Merriam Webster, the
lemming
is:
: any of various small short-tailed furry-footed rodents (as genera Lemmus and Dicrostonyx) of circumpolar distribution that are notable for population fluctuations and recurrent mass migrations
I’m not totally satisfied with this brief definition so let’s also look at Wikipedia.
While many people believe that lemmings commit mass suicide when they migrate, this is not the case. Driven by strong biological urges, they
will migrate in large groupings when population density becomes too great. Lemmings can and do swim and may choose to cross a body of water in search of a new habitat.[7]
On occasion, and particularly in the case of the Norway lemmings in Scandinavia, large migrating groups will reach a cliff overlooking the ocean.
They will stop until the urge to press on causes them to jump off the cliff and start swimming. They then swim to exhaustion and death. Lemmings are also often pushed into the sea as more and more lemmings arrive at the shore.
Hmm. They may choose to cross a body of water in search of a new habitat and are often pushed into the sea as more more arrive at the shore. And mass suicide?….let’s return to that one in a moment.
Be Yourself
You might wonder why I’m writing this post at all. I mean, I co-founded Nu Nomad which is meant to help more people achieve location independence. Am I not kind of shooting myself in the foot?
What I’m passionate about here is getting the word out that if you want to be location independent there are a lot of ways to go about it. You are not limited by anyone’s template. But you’ve first got have a personal reason for wanting to be location independent and then CREATE your personal way to make that happen for yourself.
How can you know if you’re a lemming or a designer? I’ve put together a few discerning criteria:
Reason for wanting to be location independent:
a)
Designer
– you have a deep longing to be free. For you, location independence may not be about world travel although it could be. Location independence is about just that – independence and freedom. You are ready to take your life into your own hands and make your own way. In spite of the difficulties you know it may present you are determined to build a career that will allow you to choose your setting.
b)
Lemming
– you’ve read something about a person working on a laptop from some exotic beach and that sounds cool. You don’t really care what they’re doing – you just want to do the same thing so you can jump into that hammock too.
Plans to become location independent:
a)
Designer
– you are making plans based on your previous and current skills and passions. You have a roadmap for yourself to get from point A to point B. It may take further education or experience to reach the level you will need but you’ve got a focus for where you’re going and how you’re going to remain independent.
b)
Lemming
– a lot of people are making money on the web so you probably can too. You don’t really care what you’re going to sell – you’re just going to make a lot of money. Doesn’t it just take having a good idea and then hiring the right low cost workers overseas? It doesn’t matter if you’ve never had a web business. Even better, if you put up a picture of yourself in that hammock with your laptop probably enough people will click google adsense to keep you floating in Mai Tais. ( mass suicide here you come)
Preparations for location independence:
a)
Designer
– you’re reading a wide variety of location independent books and blogs as well as researching destinations to see what fits for you. You’re saving your money, cutting expenses and shedding yourself of un-needed stuff in preparation to free yourself.
b)
Lemming
– you read 4HWW and that’s all you need. Ferriss is God! Did you see his latest video? (put it back in your pants, bud)
If you want to design a lifestyle that everyone drools over it’s got to be something you’ve created based on who you are. Don’t be the next Ferriss knock-off. Design your own brand. You can learn how from Greg Rollett if you’re not sure where to start. If you want to be location independent and travel the world our main site and book have tons of information for you. Want more examples of nomads who are living life their way without templates, read our category of Meet the Nomad interviews. And you can find lots more examples of nomads living life on their terms at Free Pursuits latest list 44 Creative and Adventurous Bloggers You Should Know.
Whatever you design, make it yours and be smart.
Photo by mecocrus
November 19, 2009
Well, you hooked me from the title – and I love the way you explain the differences between a designer and a lemming. I agree with you that you've got to create the lifestyle you want rather than stepping into someone else's idea of it. Great, great post!
My recent post Tips for Reaching Writing Goals
November 19, 2009
Thanks Sharon! I'm not a professional writer so hearing positive feedback from someone who is is really affirming.
November 19, 2009
Hey Carmen – First, thanks for the nod, I like to think I am helping people live how they want, not how I think they should. While I am a firm believer in online businesses, I look to push people to do things they care about – whether that's opening a physical store/business or working for a company that aligns with their values.
You made a great point that lifestyle design has taken on something that looks like emulation. What I took from Ferriss's book was that we can do whatever we want if we really believe in what we are doing. If you hate your job, go after something else, if you want more time off, then find something that will pay the bills and give you that flexibility. The choices are ours to make.
Too many people are looking to create a life on auto-pilot and I don't think that was the point of lifestyle design. My take is more to the tune of "what you are doing right now with your time you can never get back, are you sure this is how you want to spend your time. if it's not, do something about it!"
Great post. I love getting definitions and into the theories behind this stuff.
My recent post Gen-Y Lifestyle Design – Opening a Restaurant in Costa Rica
November 19, 2009
Hey Greg, I know you're the go to guy for creating your brand and so I wanted to send people to you who "get" the idea of doing their unique thing as opposed to mimicking what's already been done. And I totally agree with you about not letting time get away and making your life what you want NOW. Carpe diem
November 19, 2009
This is a great post – I've noticed this general feeling of if-you-don't-have-a-muse-that-you-can-automate-and-enjoy-passive-income-from, you're no one yet, so get to work and come talk to me when you do. While this certainly seems to be a successful path for some, it's definitely not the only (or best) way for some others. If we were to all do the same thing, lifestyle design would simply become the lifestyle template…and then we'd be full circle right back to where we are in America at present with the picket fence, 2.5 kids and minivan . . just an updated, more modern version.
(Was the steam coming out of my ears apparent at all?) 🙂
November 19, 2009
You go girl! I see the smoke rising.
November 19, 2009
Great post! A simple test might be to imagine yourself as a tree with branches reaching up to the sky and roots sunk deep into the ground. If the roots part makes you feel antsy or claustrophobic
November 20, 2009
Hey Maddie, I think your comment got cut short which is a bummer because it looked like it was going to be interesting!
November 19, 2009
I liked the passion and delivery. Such enthusiasm, haha. You made some great points about people's assumptions with this "grand life." I stumbled across Ferriss's book after my last "trip" and really enjoyed it and took a lot out of it, but as you mention, the point is not to copy or emulate. You should copy some things and he does mention that the point is not traveling the world, but independence & freedom, which can lead to travel if you so desire.
I think the Lemming analogy is spot on (that was my attempt to sound British 😉 ).
My recent post The Gift of Life
November 20, 2009
Thanks Casey. I was so excited to come across the lemming photo as well. I had actually never seen a real lemming. They're kind of cute. And you're right that Ferriss was really talking more about freeing your time. Travel was actually only the very last part of his book and not emphasized that much. But I think many people have gravitated to that part because it's exciting and sexy to think about living in exotic places. Actually, it can be exciting and sexy to do it – I mean we're doing it right?!
November 19, 2009
Thank you Carmen! There is a lot of talk in the (insert just about any group here)-world about "this way is best" and if you don't do it this way, you're doing it wrong. I think the "one true path" talk is nonsense.
Everyone has to live the way that's best for them. Others may inspire or provide ideas, but everyone ultimately has to do things how is best for them. There are plenty of ways to live or make your living with the benefits of freedom and time, Tim Ferriss is just showing one of many methods.
Those looking for the easy road believe these lifestyles can be achieved without any work. Even those who speak of hammocks and beaches have to work hard to get there, it just doesn't sell as well.
My recent post Book Review: Reclaim Your Dreams
November 20, 2009
Hear hear James! So much is written today just because it sells. People want their fantasies to be supported without acknowledging the reality behind what made most of those fantasies come true for the authors (usually lots of hard work and lots of luck combined). When you write about reality often it doesn't sell as well. But it's those people who acknowledge the realities, read about them and understand what it will take to make their own success who usually climb to the top.
November 21, 2009
It's interesting how cliche the LD term is becoming – at least for people who are following this phenomenon. It's good to see folks personalizing it – and it needs to be personalized, because the concept can still be somewhat vague and limiting…not everyone who'd like to live in thd LD way wants to be a web designer, which seems to be the predominant theme. Plus many people have been doing this for a long time without the term attached – myself included (work, save money, go somewhere to live a preferred lifestyle, work again, save money, travel, repeat) and any combo of this. I think people in general are being given "permission" to live a different life by seeing all the examples of LD. Your site is one of the most helpful ones I've found – practical, freeing and without all the hype. Plus you and your partner have the experience behind you to show that this is kind of lifestyle is possible for the longterm.
November 21, 2009
Robyn, Thanks so much for your kind comment and vote of confidence. It means a lot to us – especially knowing there are a lot of great bloggers out there writing about LD right now. I also like that more people are finding out about the possibility of a mobile lifestyle because it can be such a freeing experience for many. Like you, Richard and I have been at this for a while – before the birth of “lifestyle design” and it’s kind of a strange experience to watch a movement be made from something that we had been living but it’s great at the same time. We’d love to hear more from you and from anyone else about how we can make Nu Nomad more helpful!
November 22, 2009
Thank you thank you for posting these sentiments. Folks are always asking of us is our journey was inspired by the 4HWW and we've been branded on several occasions as 'lifestyle designers' (not a term we promoted ourselves as.) Fact of the matter is, we read the first couple chapters about a year into our first nomadic excursion. Ferris reaffirmed many of the ideals we had already 'designed' into our life. After we got the gist that he was just writing about one of the many possible paths to living life on your own terms (something we were already doing), the book has gone unfinished.
I too was a bit put off by his frat boy, pick up artist, player voice – so that likely played a bit into unease with the book.
Seeing so many people trying to brand themselves as lifestyle designers ala Timothy Ferris has had me giggle on more than one occasion. It's truly refreshing when we encounter others doing their own thing by their own frameworks.
– Cherie
My recent post Our Mobile Technology Arsenal
November 23, 2009
I can imagin, Cherie, that your experiences at Burning Man as well as around the country have let you meet a lot of truly unique and creative individuals. I think of you two as part of the breed of original digital nomads!
November 22, 2009
I agree with you completely. I've always read 4HWW as an inspirational tome like The Power of Positive Thinking, and kept my focus on a few of his ideas that seem to be valid. I have a completely different plan that what he proposes for my own locational independence, and largely skipped over parts of his book where he described his web marketing schemes.
Thanks!
November 23, 2009
Thanks for reading, Jef. Yes, the 4HWW is like many self help books in that you can gain from it a few pieces of really valuable insight that may stay with you and the rest is largely filler. Would love to know more about your plans!
November 23, 2009
Dear Carmen,
What a great article. I love your last statement: "whatever your design, make it yours and be smart!" I did get 4HWW from the library and it really never click with me for some reason (so in the end, I didn't finish the book). It is good to hear from someone like you with living that life with a family. I've been reading a lot of blogs on this topic. While I wish I could just get a laptop and take off to Thailand, obviously it is not as simple as that for a family of three. It has taken us a lot of preparation. We plan to follow a template of our own i'm afraid. Our reasons for why we wish to live abroad, travel and be independent is quite complex and we need a plan that fits our family needs. So thanks for the very validating post! :-)) Really hope to meet up one of theses days!
aye
My recent post RAJ GHT – Resting Place of Mahatma Gandhi
November 24, 2009
I really hope to meet you too! We'll be in Texas for a couple of weeks in December. Don't know if you have any reason to come to Austin? But if you do – let us know! I can relate to the complexities of wanting to nomad as a family. I'm glad to hear that you are listening to your own voice about what your family needs in particular that will make living abroad a rewarding experience. The more I meet nomads the more I respect how each individual story is unique. That's one thing that makes this group so interesting!
November 25, 2009
Thanks so much for this post! Very encouraging to read, as well as with the slew of comments…
Would love to pool the community for helpful thoughts around what I could do that fits my niche…
I enjoy meeting and connecting new people, and have been deemed a “human router” which is fine…but what business or product could I start to be able to potentially monetize, honestly, these skills? I’m stuck!
I started a site to showcase those people I think are doing great working around startups in the Midwest, but also want to extend and build out my brand…
Would really appreciate your ideas/thoughts you have and looking to find a direction I can take things…
Thanks in advance and keep up the great work!
November 26, 2009
Let's help Jeff out here! Any ideas for what a person could do for money who is great at connecting people? Recruiter comes to mind for me. Tell us more about what you like to do Jeff.
November 27, 2009
Thanks for your reply! Really appreciate it and soliciting the community for help…
I enjoy following new trends through sites like Fast Company, am excited and intrigued by the whole new / social media space…
Enjoy building and highlighting communities, promoting individuals or products that I believe in strongly…
Think events like The Summit Series http://www.summitseries.com and Mixergy http://www.mixergy.com are amazing and am encouraged by individuals who connecting, highlight and build the "next generation" of entrepreneurs & innovators…
Hope this provides a little more info. to brainstorm some other options, directions, or initiatives I could start…
November 30, 2009
Hi Jeff, I hope you get some replies here. If not – I invite you to do a guest post about your dilemmas in finding a way towards location independence and see if it generates some response. I'm not familiar with the sites you mentioned but will definitely take a look. Contact me via email if you'd like to discuss writing a post at carmen at nunomad dot com
November 29, 2009
Ha ha…l love the comparison between a lemming and a designer! You make some great points in fun and interesting way.
Like a lot of us I really enjoyed Tim?s book and I took two main messages from it:
1. Be authentic. Tim is following his truth and the book is his journey. No two people?s definition of success will be the same. Our own definition will be as unique as our thumb print!
2. To live our definition of success we have to challenge every assumption. Most of the assumptions guiding our lives sit at an unconscious level. First make them conscious and then challenge them. I?ve found personally its worth exploring our assumptions around these four areas:
Money – How much money is enough?
Time – How can I free up time to pursue what?s meaningful to me?
Talents ? What are my strengths?
Energy ? What am I passionate about?
As you say, “What ever you design make it yours” Great advice.
December 20, 2009
This is a great post, and you touched on something that I have noticed for a long time: "Lifestyle Design" seems to be increasingly a single vision – people working a few hours a week, living in southeast Asia. To me, what lifestyle design should really be about is, well, designing your own life (which is how I discuss it on my own blog). If you want to run an online business and travel the world, do it. If you want to retire early and live in the countryside, do it. If you want to have a successful business doing something you love, do it. It bothers me that the lifestyle design world seems to be parroting itself more and more – it is becoming less about pursuing what you love, and more about a single vision. In my mind, a single vision of a 4HWW is little better than a single vision of a 9-5 existence.
December 21, 2009
I agree with you completely. Perhaps "lifestyle design" should make a break from the location independent scene. It seems to have become synonymous due to the fact that Tim Ferriss coined the term and also wrote about location independence. In my opinion, "lifestyle design" is just new wording for what personal coaches have been promoting for years.
December 21, 2009
Who says that "location independent" needs to mean "nomadic" or even traveling at all? To me, location independence means that you are not tied to any particular place. You don't have a job that requires you to be in one location, you don't have a mortgage, etc. But it doesn't mean that you have to be on the move. You can stay in one apartment for 3 years and still be "location independent" if you don't have anything that requires you to be in that particular location. I think what needs to happen in the lifestyle design world is for some folks to look at the other sides of location independence, and how it can work for people who maybe don't want to move to Bali.
My recent post In the terminal…
January 19, 2010
Well said!
February 1, 2010
I did read all of 4HWW and actually moved from Europe to San Diego (CA) for 15 months on a MicroRetirement with my laptop. My wife and I brought our kids and we had the greatest year as a family. When moving from Europe to California you actually get the advantage of better buying power (Euro to Dollar).
We did'nt make a lot of money, actually we spent our retirement savings, but I am so happy we dit it.
We lived our life by design (our own design).
February 2, 2010
Great to hear your story, Peter. As another person who is traveling with kids I can't agree with you more that it's a great thing to do. Any plans to do it again?
February 24, 2010
Thank you for this… Regarding 4HWW, I think you articulated what I have only been able to yelp and stammer about. For a long time now, I have been looking for a way to get myself "geographically unstuck" (the term I coined, which is only about half as cool as Tim's), so I really enjoyed seeing an actual business plan for dummies that could be implemented without too much trouble to get myself moving again. However, I think you're on the money about mere imitation vs. creative design when it comes to one's own lifestyle.
My recent post The New Poor? But I never got rich!
March 2, 2010
Thanks. Tim has many good ideas but like any movement – if you don't use your own common sense to tailor it for yourself you become just one in a large herd mentality.
July 14, 2010
also created a blog devoted to experiments in life-style design. So what to do if you want to be Tim?
July 14, 2010
also created a blog devoted to experiments in life-style design. So what to do if you want to be Tim?
June 9, 2011
Wow love this article. I also believe not to be a copycat. However before i even read 4HWW i was already creating websites to make a passive income such as http://realwebworth.com and I have had a small amount of success so far. It takes a lot of effort and motivation. It DOES take hardwork to get where you want. Unlike what Tim mentions in his book repeatedly. Infact look at all the hardwork he went to. Sure once the work is done your set to live life on your terms…