What it means to Live a Life by Experience
In my Travel book The Freedom Project I introduced the concept of Experience Value which I’ve used extensively in my travels. The reason I travel is to undergo a certain experience, whether it’s just to smell or taste a different culture, to swim with dolphins or just sit on the beach for the day. Travel brings all sorts of interesting experiences I couldn’t have had when I stayed at home on the couch in front of my TV. I could have watched a documentary on dolphins, but I wouldn’t have been able to feel the sensation of one pulling me through Caribbean ocean water.
Experience value is something I take home with me as a mental souvenir from any trip I go on. Experience Value transcends financial value, and sometimes I’d rather spend a little more money if that allows me to undergo a certain experience. Flying a helicopter over Manhattan became a bit more complicated (and expensive) after 9/11, but was worth every penny. Experience Value also means I’d rather not do certain things while I’m traveling. The experience I might have when I’m staying at a very cheap hotel in a bad neighborhood is not one I’m particularly interested in anymore.
The right Experience Value almost direcly translates to a higher level of happiness. Working through the items on my bucket list gives me an experience of joy while doing what I love. When I can experience joy and happiness while travelling by focusing on maximizing my experience value, I wanted to find a way to accomplish that at home as well. What I’m after is to live every day of my life in a way that allows me to take the maximum Experience Value out that day. The lifestyle of living by experience goes beyond the popular “doing one thing a day that scares you”: I wanted to incorporate the principle of Experience Value into my life permanently, and on a much deeper level. It’s why I do the work I do, and why I made this blog. Because if I can do it, so can you. So the real question is: what are you going to do today that excites you and contributes to the goals in your life?
Bon voyage!