Living the dream

Since moving to Thailand, and especially over the last year or so, I’ve seriously been living the best life I could wish for: I’m living the dream.

For a young guy, who can speak okay Thai, who gets along so well with Thai’s, has enough money to do what he wants, has great loyal friends, has a family that are behind him 100% and is living in the best city he has ever been too… is a dream.

Here’s an excerpt from an email I received today which came through this blog:

You have done a lot in a short time living your dream , I wish I had the guts to do what you are doing.

This email promoted this post.

My response is: You’ve got to work for the dream

I’m fortunate that I’ve found a place to live in that fits perfectly with my lifestyle. I’m also fortunate that I have a family that is behind me with what ever I want to do. Everything else, I have earned through hard work.

Here I want to write down my thoughts about the lesson’s I’ve learnt through working hard to follow my dream:

• Know what you want

When I decided I wanted to live in Thailand permanently it was… I can’t find the word to describe it…. Crazy? Unique? Weird? experience. I was 22 at the time, had my own place in London, an amazing girlfriend who I had been with for 5 years, a great car and a job that paid very well. I gave all this up to live my dream.

• Don’t settle for 2^nd best

Finding good friends in my new home was one of the slowest and most difficult things I’ve ever had to do. Don’t settle for 2^nd best.

• Be patient

From working with SEO, building sites with great content to living in Thailand has taught me to be patient. Good things come to those that wait.

• Never give up

Being able to speak Thai (I’m no where near perfect, but can get by) has opened up many doors which have let me meet a lot of great people and also understand the new culture and way of life I now live in. For me, learning a new language has been very difficult and slow going, but I’ve never gave up.

• Have guts

A couple of months ago I lost $30k with my new business venture. I’m currently working on a new project which I have 100% faith in and will invest every single penny I have into it. Truth be told, it would take the average joey a while to get over a big loss. I say: have guts.

• Don’t take life to seriously

Last night I was drinking a few beers with my buddy and wore my new jacket and he asked me if I was worried about someone bumping into me with a cigarette or someone spilling drink on it. My response was simple: Life’s to short.

• You don’t get rich doing a 40 hour week.

I must say that title to myself at least a couple of times per week… especially when I’m working at 4am on a project when all I want to do is sleep. This doesn’t mean to sound big headed, but I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone who takes work so seriously as myself. Working hard not only provides financial benefits but many other’s that benefit ones life. The sense of satisfaction, networking, traveling and pride are just some the things that can enhance your life through hard work.

• Life is about Fun.

If you ever meet me, or have already had the pleasure… you’ll know that I like a lot of fun. Whether it’s eating great food, playing poker with friends and family, traveling or just having a few beers with the lads… is what life is all about.

• Take care of yourself

I lost 10kg over the last year and make a real effort in looking after myself. If you look good, you feel good.

Obviously the road to living the dream will differ between you and myself we all have different requirements to make us happy.

Are you living the dream?