How to Design Your Life Based on the 5 Freedoms

People often ask me how I managed to gain freedom from my corporate job. 

These concepts motivated and kept me focused, both then and now.

To describe this journey, I'll use the framework introduced by my good friend Maurice Philogene, whom I interviewed in episode #13 of Tech Equity & Money Talk.

Maurice introduced me to the 5 Freedoms of Lifestyle Design, a framework that can be iterated to gain and build more freedom over time.

This framework is essential because it provides a clear path to achieving various types of freedom, which can lead to a more fulfilling and autonomous life.

For instance, Maurice used this framework to transition from a demanding corporate career to a life of freedom and purpose, enabling him to spend more time on philanthropic projects and travel the world.

When I was given this language, it enabled me to express in words how I got started and iterated my way to freedom.

I am sharing this to show you how it works, not to brag.

5 Freedoms of Lifestyle Design

Time Freedom: 

This refers to having control over one's time and schedule.

It means having the option to use your time as you choose, free from traditional work schedules or obligations.

Imagine the joy and relief of waking up daily knowing that you control your time, allowing you to spend it with loved ones, pursue passions, and simply enjoy life on your terms.

For example, I can pick my boys up from school most days, go to sports practice, and be present for them.  

Financial Freedom: 

The source of this is portfolio income. It involves having enough financial resources to support your lifestyle without being dependent on active income from a job.

This provides peace of mind and the ability to pursue passions and interests without financial stress. The empowerment and peace that come with financial freedom are truly life-changing.

Achieving this allowed me to pursue passions like travel, writing, and investing without worrying about financial instability.

Geographic Freedom: 

This is the ability to live and work from anywhere in the world. It allows individuals to choose their location based on preference rather than being tied to a specific place due to work or other commitments.

The exhilaration of being able to live and work from anywhere is unmatched.

For instance, we are spending this summer at a co-living and co-working space in Spain to experience working and living in another country.

Freedom of Relationships: 

The ability to choose and nurture meaningful and supportive relationships without being constrained by work networks or other obligations.

This leads to deeper, more fulfilling connections and a supportive community. 

Imagine the deep connection and support you can find in meaningful relationships. By stepping away from a traditional office environment, I was able to cultivate stronger, more meaningful friendships and partnerships, including reconnecting with old friends and dedicating more time to my immediate family. Now I can have more time with aging parents and family.

Freedom of Purpose (or Missional Freedom): 

This is described as the freedom (and courage) to choose meaningful paths in life rather than defaulting to societal expectations. It's about having the ability to pursue one's true calling or mission in life.

Pursuing your true calling brings a profound sense of fulfillment and purpose. The joy and fulfillment of living a purpose-driven life cannot be overstated.

My work mentoring and coaching other professionals and creating educational content for accredited investors has provided immense satisfaction, allowing me to make a meaningful impact on others' lives.

Start with a Why

To get started, you need a purpose greater than yourself to keep you motivated. 

This purpose will stay at the forefront of your mind as you undertake the necessary hard work, providing a constant source of motivation and direction.

I wanted more time and freedom to guide my sons through their preteen to teen years and help them grow into men.

This deeper purpose gave me the drive to pursue my goals relentlessly.

So I wanted time freedom to gain more missional freedom.

To do this, I had to build my portfolio as a business to provide me with income and get me out of my W-2 job.

This strategic move allowed me to align my work with my broader life goals.

By creating this portfolio as a business, my W-2 job became more purposeful because the equity I was using to build my portfolio fueled my purpose.

With a clear 'why' and a vision of what I wanted to build, my next task was to determine the first steps.

But Where Did You Start?

I started by thinking like an investor with my time and talent.

Where could I get the highest return on my time?

This strategic thinking helped me maximize my efforts and results.

I traded my skills for equity to fuel my portfolio. 

This exchange allowed me to build a solid financial foundation. I leveraged the skills I built, thinking like an investor with my time and talent to invest my money.

I focused on building to my 50/50 Portfolio Thesis and generating income.

This balanced strategy provided stability and growth; I share detailed steps in my podcast and a previous newsletter.

As my income began to grow, I realized this strategy was effective. 

This realization reinforced my commitment and showed that financial freedom was achievable.

Iterate for More Freedom

As I began to build income toward financial freedom, I started to find more freedoms while still working. This iterative approach allowed me to gradually increase my autonomy and control over my life.

The growing sense of freedom and accomplishment was exhilarating.

- Took a remote job - Geographic Freedom (Home or other locations). This flexibility enabled me to work from anywhere, enhancing my lifestyle and allowing me to travel while maintaining my career.

- Skipped the promotion - Time Freedom to work on my portfolio. This decision allowed me to focus on what mattered most to me, and I detailed the process in my article on career prioritization.

- Created time margin - Freedom to execute my purpose. This margin gave me the space to pursue my goals without feeling overwhelmed, as discussed in my podcast episode on time management for entrepreneurs.

As time passed, my portfolio became more effective in generating income, and I became a more experienced investor.

This growth further increased my freedom and opportunities, which I share in my podcast and newsletter.

I gained more equity from the companies I worked for and also more freedom. 

This success allowed me to live life on my terms.

A Milestone Moment

On August 26, 2022, I reached the point where the portfolio was ready, and I leaped. After 20+ years, I left my 9-to-5.

This milestone marked the culmination of my efforts and the beginning of a new chapter of freedom.

It has been almost two years now, and everything is working. It is far from perfect, and I am working on gaining more freedom.

This ongoing journey shows that there is always room for improvement and growth.

This is how it worked for me. It worked differently for Maurice and will work differently for you.

Each person's path to freedom is unique, but the principles remain the same.

When you have a 'why' and seek freedom, you can unlock how it works and build the skills to find more. This pursuit can lead to a more fulfilling, autonomous life.

Now it is time for you to get started on your journey.

I am currently developing a training program on building a portfolio as a multigenerational business.

Hit Reply with “portfolio” if you want to learn more.

Tech Equity and Money Talk is a weekly podcast showing you how to work for tech equity as a wealth-building strategy and meet your financial goals.

060 🎙️ The Power of Portfolio Income to Unlock Financial Freedom

Building a multi-generational portfolio? These portfolio income assets are your fuel!

Many are confused by the assets that can bring them impactful income.

In this episode, I provide an overview of traditional and alternative income assets.

Co-Living & Co-Working for Geographic Freedom

As I iterate more into the 5 Freedoms, the one I love to explore is geographic freedom. I have been traveling internationally since I was young and think travel teaches you the most about others and especially yourself.

For about a year I have been obsessed with finding a Co-Working & Co-Living location that works for families.

While I no longer work a W-2, my wife, Regine, works remotely in tech and will let me experiment with her.

Can a Co-Working and Co-Living Facility that is +7 hours to our time zone provide a workcation for tech workers?

What is Co-Working & Co-Living

Co-working and co-living are shared living spaces where people have their bedroom and bathroom, but a shared cooking and living space is attached to a co-working facility.

Several facilities are available for singles or couples. Here is a great list (LINK).

However, only a few exist for families. I have researched two.

iSlow Co-Living - (LINK): A refurbished farm in North West Spain in Laxe, a coastal village that integrates family, community, and work.

Boundless Life - (LINK): An all-inclusive experience in multiple locations to support working parents and curious children.

Benefits of Co-Working & Co-Living

• Explore other Countries and Work - Workcation

• Build a Global Community - Networking

• Convenient - Plans for Family Built-In

This summer we decided to go to iSlow Co-Living and try this out. I will be reporting back through the newsletter and possibly the podcast.

My goal is to do research and bring back my findings to really understand how this can work for remote tech employees and their families.

My mission is to help others become geographically independent on the way to financial independence!

Let me know if you are curious about Co-Living and Co-Working, too.

Hit reply, and I will answer any questions you have. Also, if you know of any locations I didn’t mention, please let me know.

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Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making any decisions based on the information provided.