Think less about big sweeping changes
and more about what you could make happen today
There's a lot of pressure to make big sweeping changes in our lives. We're constantly bombarded with images and stories of people who have "changed their lives" by doing some huge thing. The Great Resignation comes to mind. But what if that's not the right approach for you? It's definitely not the right approach for me. Adam Grant says before making any giant leap, "you must consider the alternatives." It's not realistic to think you can make a big change overnight.
I started my career a little over 10 years ago. I have worked in customer facing roles and also served in management positions. I can work with people and for the most part, I think it's a good fit for me. It doesn't check all the boxes for me though. I am interested in writing, data analytics, starting my own business, and just about a million other things. Rather than abandon this great life that I have built to try all these other things, I can add to it. In doing that, I have changed my thinking in a few ways:
1) I am excited about writing and would like to write more, but I don't need to make money in order to pursue it. In fact, I have more fun when I take that pressure off myself and just write.
2) The model of working really hard at something for 40 years and then getting to your bucket list once you retire is very problematic. I have managed to spin up some additional projects, as long as I keep it simple. Some of the interests I am pursuing take just 20 minutes each day. And that's all I have between work, family, my health and chores.
3) I can have an amazing life with just a few small tweaks to my current life. Big sweeping changes are not required. Have you ever found yourself saying something like, "if only I could take a year off to pursue this one dream I had..." Well I did have that year off during the pandemic and I found myself entirely unmotivated and lost about which way was forward.
4) Keep doing what you do well, even if it isn't always the most exciting. It can allow you to pay your bills and sponsor your other passions. My day job can be as dull as watching water dripping from a leaky faucet at times, but I keep a roof over my head and I still have dedicated time for new projects and adventures.
I love this quote from Marcus Aurelius: “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”
I think this quote pertains both to the outside world, but also what’s in our own brains. Challenge your own thoughts and beliefs about what is possible. Make a list of 10 ideas that you may want to pursue. Big things and little things. Then do it again tomorrow, write that list. And the next day and the day after that. Keep making those lists. And then get to it!