Most of us don’t know what we’re supposed to do with our lives.
After we graduated from high school, we found ourselves on a tried, tested, and true path: we went to college, found a partner, started a family, bought a house, and landed a stable career with a good benefits plan.
If you’ve discovered that all of this is true for you and you’re immensely happy, stop reading right now. You are winning at life, my friend … and I couldn’t be happier for you.
But, for the rest of us, it’s not that we’re on a bad path, it’s just that it’s not fulfilling. Remember the “Suck the marrow out of life guy?” Henry David Thoreau? One of his other famous quotes is this:
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.”
It’s hard to say it out loud, but this “fine” life we lead, the one that we feel resigned to, could actually be desperation in disguise. For many of us, this path isn’t leading us to a better, more distant future. On some days, it doesn’t even feel like a path, it feels like a track – as each lap passes, our speed slows, our legs get tired, and we’re getting “chub rub.*”
Look at your last two weeks – do you want to do this for the rest of your life? Would your future self be proud of you if you decided to stay the same? Umm, no. Your future self would be disappointed that you had a moment that you didn’t seize … so would Eminem.
What if I told you there was a better way?
When I interviewed Video Narrative’s Founder Chris West, he reminded us that we’re the main character in our life – and in this role, we’ve got a story to tell. We’ve got to fulfill our life’s mission.
It’s like in the book “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Cuehlo, which is all about following your heart and taking the risk to follow your dreams. If you haven’t read this book, read it right now – for $15 and 2 hours of reading, your life’s course could be changed.
By “changed,” I don’t mean quit your job, change your life. You don’t need to change your circumstances to overhaul your life and find passion, purpose, and your mission. The only thing you can start to change is your mind.
Here are a few mind shifts you can make starting today:
It’s not the right time —> It’ll never be the right time. Just start.
I don’t have the money —> I don’t need money to begin.
I don’t have the skills —> At least I know what I don’t know! The rest I can learn.
I don’t know what I want —> I’m going to commit to the process of self discovery.
It might feel incredibly selfish to start prioritizing your needs. Here’s what I promise you: when you get better, everyone around you gets better. So you’re not just bettering your life, you’re bettering the lives of your colleagues, family, and team.
My challenge: Just think of one small mindset shift you can make today that gets you off the track and on the path that no one has ever walked before … the path that is uniquely and authentically yours.
*That’s chafing for all of you non-runners out there.
Bet on You Podcast – Sara Frasca
I’m not kidding you when I say that entrepreneur and innovator Sara Frasca’s energy could light up a major metropolitan city. If you need inspiration to find your passion and lead the life you were born to lead, tune into this next episode – you won’t be disappointed!
LIVE – Soft Power Series:
You’re Different. Please Stop Trying to Fit In.
This Friday at 12:00 pm ET
I’m hosting my next 100% free Soft Power event titled “How to Be in a World That Doesn’t Look Like You.” I know previous Soft Power events have skewed toward the female side … this one is completely inclusive. If you’re different, and you are, I want to share with you why you matter. You don’t do the world any favors by fitting in.
