Stuck in the Mud?

I’m confused and struggling; I don't know what to do.

I’ve had a lovely weekend with the family, visiting and catching up with friends. Then I started reading a book last night about the guy who sold his life a couple of years ago. He was describing his new adventure of achieving 100 goals in 100 weeks, and I found that idea really inspirational. It’s been ages since I had any adventures. I’ve just been sort of floating through life, getting married and having Brilliant Boy. All good times, but not really what I had planned out for myself when I was younger. I was going to rock the world – become an astronaut, win a Nobel Prize, change lives, save the planet... all that jazz.

Deep down, I know they’re all childhood fantasies, but so what? People achieve amazing things like that all the time. There are astronauts, and Nobel Prize winners out there, and not all of them are more intelligent or more brilliant than me! If I knew how to, and if I put enough energy and effort into it, I’m sure I could change the world, or at least have an exciting and worthwhile life...

It sounds dumb now, and I can kind of see where Brilliant Guy was coming from when he said he was happy with his life right now, and to chase goals like that would only be a sign of dissatisfaction and frustration. He seems to think we shouldn’t chase goals like financial independence, but should wait until we reach retirement age to start living life properly. Blah di blah.

While I can see where he’s coming from, I happen to think he’s wrong. Why shouldn’t we have adventures and a fun life now, while we’re young? Why does everyone think you have to work really hard for forty years before you’ve earned your dues, and can relax into old age?

Look, I understand that we have to have a purpose and add value to our society – but we’re not worker bees! We’re amazing, incredibly, beautiful human beings, with brains the size of melons.

Surely somebody somewhere can come up with an alternative to the humdrum 9 to 5 work day, 5 days a week? Working “full time” is my nightmare, and yet I’m in it – and have been for the past 6 years. Something has to give, and I hope it’s not my sanity!

You have to understand, this doesn’t mean I’m at all dissatisfied with my family life. Far from it – I want to be able to work fewer hours, to spend more time with the important people.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. In fact, judging by the few people I’ve shared these thoughts with, the vast majority of us are feeling torn by our responsibilities and our inner ambitions. There’s a massive waste of potential going on, and we have to be brave enough to say stop. Enough’s enough. I’m not going to put my ambitions on hold any more.

I’ve decided to follow my dream of financial independence through copywriting and life coaching. I’m going to use my skills in writing and empathy to add more value to society, and increase what I can get out of life.

What will you do with your skills?