Friday, June 20, 2008

Don’t put off life until tomorrow

Don't put off life until tomorrow
 
By Michael Kelly
 
"Are you a "someday" person? "Someday I'll write that book, someday I'll take that class. Someday,
someday..."
 
This phrase may sound familiar to you or others you know. Today, people tend to go into careers not for love of the field, but because it pays well, or because the demand is booming in a particular job market.
A lot of people spend their lives waiting for the game to start. We must understand: The clock in our life is already ticking. It's Superbowl time.
 
We have gotten out of the habit of asking ourselves, "Do I love my work?" Instead it's, "How much does it pay?" Action is the difference between someone who is actually going to accomplish something and someone who is just wishing. The small steps will add up to very big ones.
 
The process of giving ourselves permission to live our own lives (doing what we love) can release enormous amounts of energy. Think about it. If you are doing something you love, you will gladly put forth the extra effort it takes to be great. On the other hand, if you basically just tolerate you job, the energy you expend will not be enough to truly succeed.
 
A perfect example of this is the car salesman who became a car salesman because his father was a car salesman. He doesn't really like his job, but doesn't know how to do anything else.
 

Well, action toward a career you love starts with a small step. Just a little something - like taking a night class, or going to the library and checking out books on things that are interesting to you. That will give you an idea of what direction you want to be heading.
 
You may also be afraid to switch careers at this point, especially if you are the breadwinner for the family. There's just no point, you say; not enough money in it.
 
But that's where the mistake is made. When you are doing something you love, the money will follow. Maybe even more than you are currently making. If there is something you've put off doing, start small. Start part-time. Write one page a day of the book. Start taking classes at night. Start your own side business and work at night and on weekends. Make the time to paint. Test the waters.
 
You might say, "But I don't have enough time for both things." Sure you do. There are 24 hours in a day, all you need to do is break them up. Even one hour a day is better than none, especially when you're working toward a longed-for-goal.
You may want to make a "time grid," filling out every week what you will be doing on the hour (or half-hour). You'll be amazed how much time you waste doing nothing, or just sitting in front of the television. Just block out one or two hours per day, and those will slowly add up. The more energy you expend, the more joy you will feel.
 
Only you can change your career and income. Do not live the rest of your life in quiet desperation."
 
Wise words to heed today from Mike Kelly.  Its time to understand that today, right now, is all that you have.  You might as well stop your futile guilt trips about the past, and quit yearning for future results.  Today is the time for visualization and action.
 
 
Butch Hamilton-SEO Master
806-874-3314

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