Want different things?
I used to feel conflicted between my desires– I wanted the “ignorant lifestyle” (fast life, mansion, cars, etc.) and the one of deep fulfillment… and I’ve since solved for that.
The answer isn’t in what you want– it’s the end result you’d enjoy.
Do I love training muay thai? Kinda-sorta. There are definitely days I’d love to skip, but I don’t. When I see how my masterful instructors move about with ease and power, I remind myself why I need and want this.
I want that end result.
It’s sort of the same thing with my career– I enjoy the everyday, but keeping that end result in mind, it makes it easy for me to stay the course through the tough days… and there are definitely days I question my course.
It’s okay to not love every single minute of everyday, happiness is a moment but fulfillment is a lifetime.
Fulfillment is far more valuable and it comes from something entirely different than happiness— it comes from deep engagement.
I’ve had to train myself to play different games to get to this point of my life, and I’m lucky it was within my control.
For starters, I ask myself: How can I maximize each day?
There’s always going to be things you hate doing, what could you do that would make that day more enjoyable? The other day, I was sore and ultra-fatigued and really didn’t want to go to muay thai.
On the drive there, I kept thinking how I could make it more fun.
When I arrived, my solution was the same as for everything else in my life. I engaged more with everyone. Lots of play and humor– and sure enough, a second wind came and I rode it to the top of joy and excitement.
It’s simple, not easy.
But you can train yourself to do this.
I play towards my goals.
That’s how I intend on designing, and living the rest of my life. I know who I am at my best, and to honor that everyday– I keep certain habits and routines in place.
More importantly, I practice a playful mindset.
Others go miserable wanting things, I’m just focused on my own sandbox and having fun building sandcastles.
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