“…just because your friends jump off a bridge doesn’t make it right…”
As a kid, I remember hearing this all the time. Our moms and dads wanted us to make decisions on our own and to not “do things” just because everyone else was…they were trying to teach us to “stand out from the crowd”….it taught us, or should have, to go against the flow and this is powerful advice since as adults, the flow usually leads to Suckville.
So, why was this advice good then, but not good now?…. The majority of people are taught to “go to school, get good grades, go to college, get a good job, work 35 years, retire and THEN relax” because everyone else is doing it. When anything out of the ordinary is mentioned, like “hey, i’d like to start my own business” or ”college might not be for me” we’re told, “You don’t want to do that, you should do what everyone else is doing”..i.e., go to school, get good grades, get a job, etc…..ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? LISTEN, IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT CREATING YOUR DREAM LIFE, YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND THE KID WHO HAD THE COURAGE STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD. I struggled with this for years…I thought having a job was “safe” and the right thing to do because everyone else was doing it….I went to school because everyone else did…I lived a life a certain way because everyone else did….and I was miserable. I’m not saying getting good grades and going to college is a bad thing (although I am on a crusade to prove my tuition was the biggest waste of money ever spent) and for some, even most, living in the “traditional” template is fine….but it wasn’t for me. It’s ironic how we were not supposed to follow the crowd off the bridge when we were kids, but that’s exactly what many people are expected to do as adults by living a life by default. Like I said, the traditional route is good for many people and there’s nothing wrong with that unless it prevents you from living your dream life. For example, my wife LOVES her job as a nurse…but for me, being an accountant was like a slow death.
The point I want to make here is this; this post is not about not going to college or quitting your job…it’s about listening to the still small voice, it’s about making sure you’re where you’re supposed to be and living the life YOU want….not the one created by someone else’s interpretation of what happiness is. If you’re in a job you love and you feel complete, you’re already living the dream. If you’re in a job and you hate the very thought of even being there, then stop ignoring it, find out what is is you want and start taking massive action to change it. The route I took isn’t for everyone, but it was the route God created for me based on the passions He placed in my heart. Believe me, when you’re “on point”, you’ll know it. It’s kind of like when you’re tuning to a radio station….when you’re tuned in, the white noise vanishes and things are crystal clear. So, make the decision to “get tuned in”.
To answer the question of whether I’d jump off a bridge because everyone else was doing it…as a kid, maybe, as an adult, no way….I’m more happy than I’ve ever been and it’s because I took stock of what I truly wanted my life to be in every aspect and created a plan to make it real….whatever “risks” were involved, I was prepared to take them…and I’m stronger than ever as a result….
BTW, the inspiration for this post came from a video I watched of my son……he was jumping off a bridge into the Lehigh…..
Mike – The Tattooed Investor
March 9th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Great post, Mike.
Keep up the kick ass work- you are doing awesome!!
March 10th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
It’s funny you just wrote about this topic Mike. I just posted a similar themed one over at my blog as well. I couldn’t agree more with what you are saying. You are a few steps ahead of me in terms of getting where we both want to be, but its inspiring non the less to read what you just wrote.
Thanks!
March 10th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Thanks Scott,
I’ve learned through my own struggles that we are our biggest enemy in the beginning….the self limiting beliefs we con ourselves into believing can be brutal….But once we let go, life becomes amazing….Thanks for the kind words…
Mike
March 10th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Thanks Steph,
You have been an inspiration to me….I’m just trying to “pay it forward” now….
Lots of awesome stuff happening….so this blog-thing is going to be very active…
Mike
March 29th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Mike,
You have a great attitude and passion for life. I am 100% in agreement with your way of thinking and desire to be yourself. You found me on Twitter this morning and that is how I found you. Thanks for following me. It’s nice to know there are others out there that believe in living life rather than just existing. Stay in touch!
Donna
March 29th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Thanks Donna…your kind words are very much appreciated….It’s sad how many, possibly most, don’t realize how we can create life on our terms…it doesn’t take money to live your dream life….it takes belief in yourself and the willingness to take a “chance” that the dreamlife a person has in their mind is really something achievable….Life is awesome…and thanks for checking out the blog…
Mike
May 22nd, 2010 at 4:36 am
Great post, Mike.
Keep up the kick ass work- you are doing awesome!!
May 23rd, 2010 at 10:45 am
Thanks Bruce…really appreciate it….
June 5th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
It’s funny you just wrote about this topic Mike. I just posted a similar themed one over at my blog as well. I couldn’t agree more with what you are saying. You are a few steps ahead of me in terms of getting where we both want to be, but its inspiring non the less to read what you just wrote.
Thanks!