Why do you work a 9–5 job? You probably don’t want to, and I’m here to tell you — you don’t have to!
It’s not hard to figure out, but it’s a lot of hard work.
What do you actually want?
This is an interesting question. Most people have to think long and hard.
I like to ask it like this: If you never had to work for money anymore, what would you do with your time?
That’s more than likely what you actually want in life. And that’s okay!
For me, I love working on things that matter, make a difference and are cutting edge. If I never had to work for money, I would serve other people by developing tools they can use for free that would allow them to do things they have never done before.
That’s right. If I never had to work a day in my life, I would work anyways. Why? Because it’s our duty.
Seriously, though. Give this some thought. If there is a lifestyle, monetary value or level of depth that you want to reach in your life, choose to pursue it! You only get one chance at life. You might as well make it worth it!
Going Deeper
Why do you want that? This is an even tougher question. If you don’t have a why, you’re going to lose steam quickly. Having a why is like having wind in your sails, a compass to guide you and a bulls-eye to aim at.
Your why should be yours, not someone else’s. It’s not what your mom wants for you, it’s not what your friends want for you, it’s what you truly and genuinely want your life to represent.
Your why doesn’t have to make sense to other people. You could give everything you own away to homeless people and travel the world with little material possessions. Some people might call you crazy, but this might be the one and only thing that would satisfy your why.
Crafting a why can be difficult, but it is essential to the process. Make sure you take a lot of time to figure out exactly what you want to be doing. Once you do, the rest is just the work it takes to get there!
There is a lot of information on this topic. One of my new favorite books, Start With Why is a great starting point to figure out your best why.
Obsession and Balance
To get the life you want, you have to be obsessed. You have to do what it takes, and you have to ignore the things and people who don’t support you.
Now, there is a difference between ignoring people who don’t support you, and people who support you but are telling you things you don’t want to hear. This is necessary. You need to be kept in check.
Often times, I struggle with putting my work first before my family and faith. When this imbalance occurs, my wife feels neglected and I start to burn out.
I might feel like I am being productive and working hard, but none of that matters if I don’t have a family to share it with or the moral compass to make the right decisions in life.
Obsession is key, but a balance in your life is necessary to avoid a train wreck.
What things do you need to keep in balance? Sleep, family, relaxation, fun. These are all essential to keep in check when you are working 12+ hour days on your dreams.
Push Back
This is a lesson that I have learned only recently.
I’ve found that a big difference between people who actually achieve their dreams and those who don’t, is their ability to push back when things seem against them.
Did you hit a roadblock? Was there some unforeseen life altering experience that changed how you need to structure your day? Someone steal your idea, beat you to the chase, or tell you you can’t do something?
Find another way. Push back. There are so any ways to do anything. Find the way that works for you.
I’ve heard a lot of stories about people pushing back on their bosses, on laws, regulations and rules, and even on large institutions that are trying to prevent you from taking their massive profits.
Pushing back is key to moving forward. You need to pursue your goal against all odds. There can’t be anything that stands in your way.
Patience
Once you have found your ideal life, found out why you want to do it, and are now putting in the work; the next most important thing is patience.
It’s not going to happen over night. If you read my last post it can take a long time. Is it worth it? Yes, but patience is tough.
The truth is, as long as you have your bases covered (financially, physically, family), what’s the worst case scenario? You put in three years and you are still making the same amount of money you make today? You need to move in with friends or family for a few months?
The worst case scenario for most Americans isn’t that bad at all. We are fearful when we take risks, but in reality the worst thing that can happen is completely manageable and not life-altering at all.
Follow Through
Anyone can have the life that they want. It’s a matter of putting in the work to get there.
You don’t need to live the way you do right now. You can make the changes necessary to put you on the path of success.
Follow through on your goals, and don’t let up. Get some accountability and finish the work you start.
I hope this inspires you to start attacking the life you want for you and your family!