The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. (Thoreau)
My wife’s best friend was having chest pains a couple of years ago. She spent the night in the hospitals heart treatment center. She’s one of the nicest, busiest people I know. Friends and family came to visit. If she dies she has nothing to worry about. But what if she lives?
Silly question. She’ll do great. She is doing exactly what she likes in life. If she had to cut back, she could. She would still be living life to its fullest. Carpe jugulum. She grabs life by the throat and throttles every last ounce of joy and fulfillment out of it.
Do you grab life with both hands?
I’m not talking about engaging in hedonistic self destruction. I’m talking about working at a job that is fulfilling, even if you don’t like it at times. Do you have goals you are reaching for? Is your life in tune with the direction you like to go? Do you see a future? Are you growing?
Are you keeping your current job because you don’t dare leave? Bad idea. Keeping your current job because you are learning is a great idea. Keep your job because it allows you to grow even if you hate your boss, fine. If you need the money for your family and education this job can be a stepping stone. Stay because you are getting something good out of it.
Money isn’t everything. Two books that try to put money in the proper perspective even though they seduce you to desire more are The One Minute Millionaire and The Power of Positive Thinking .
If you live another day or another 50 years will you be happy with where you’ve gotten and where you are going? In a year, what will you regret not starting today?
Something To Do Today
Let your boss know what you accomplished this week. Getting credit for your accomplishments is a great start towards getting what you have earned out of your job.