The Pursuit Of Happiness…..
I hadn’t thought much about turning 40 until last week, which was my 39th birthday. I have always thought that I would look and feel young forever, but as it turns out, that’s not the case at all. Having young children, being in a desk job I detest, and trying to run a fitness business have aged me much more quickly that I could have imagined.
After my birthday, I gave my future some serious thought and I have decided to make a major change in my perspective on life. I realize that I have let myself basically drift through life and have ended up in a place that I do not want to be. And that place is being a uptight, humorless, high strung, and grumpy (soon to be) old man…Not good….
Most people I know probaby don’t see those things when they think of me, but it’s how I feel most of the time. I have a wonderful wife, two absolutely beautiful daughters, a well paying job, a successful personal training business, and some great friends. Sounds good, right? Well, it is good but all I can seem to see is the negatives in my life. That stops today!
If I am ever going to make a change for the better and live life on my terms, I have to take action immediately! Many people are living their lives like they are just trying to get by. They work at dead end jobs their entire lives just to earn a paycheck and are miserable. That’s how I feel. I feel trapped in a job that is a complete mismatch for my personality and passion. To spend my remaining 25 working years doing something I despise is like a death sentence to me.
There is more than enough opportunity in this country for anyone to be successful and live their life how they choose. The problem is that most people find it very difficult to take complete control of their lives and make it happen. I have been one of those people as well.
I’ve recently read a book called Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk and it got me thinking deep. The major theme behind his book is that we all have the ability to live our dream and it’s done through finding our passion!
Here are his 3 secret rules for success:
- Love your family (Done)
- Work superhard (Pretty darn close)
- Live your passion! (Insert buzzer sound)
I am about as far away from living my passion as one can be. Working in a tiny, windowless office and staring at spreadsheets all day is pure hell for me. I love fitness, health, the outdoors, and being active. I seem to have trapped myself in a job which is completely wrong for me (8 years now) and if I don’t make a change, I don’t know if I will ever be at peace.
I am giving myself until my 40th birthday to turn my life into something I can get excited about. That means working for myself and having time to spend with my family. It’s vitally important to me that I see my girls grow up! No more missing dance recitals, swim classes, or birthday parties. Seeing your kids an hour a night is so sad to me, yet millions us are doing just that.
My goals are simple:
- Work for myself allowing me the freedom to be with my family
- Be in the best physical shape of my life
- Be energetic, passionate about life, and HAPPY!
I know that there are a lot of folks out there that are in the same boat as I am and need a wake up call. I have a very busy life and have a hard time even finding time to post on this blog, but there always IS time if you’re committed to something. Just do it, I am!
This sounds like a FANTASTIC day for you! I wish you all the luck and I will be sending you positive vibes through the net.
Steve
I am very proud of you and your beautiful family. I wish you the most success and happiness toward your goal. It is very important to do something you love, you realize that now. Let me know if I can help in any way!
By reading my blog, you’re supporting me! Thanks for the kind words.
Steve,
Thanks for putting this out there. So many of us think about about this at least once or twice a day, is this what I want to do for the rest of my life, where is this going, what did I learn today that I didn’t know yesterday (nothing for the most part), etc.
I am glad you chose to do something about it. Just like one day when I woke up and decided that enough of this crap, and that it was time to lose weight, thanks to you we made it happen, I am glad you are having these thoughts for a better future for yourself and your family.
Keep going my good man.
Sandeep