Tag: passion

Don’t Cross Your Lines: Finding Fulfillment

Published July 23, 2021 by V

You ever have those realizations, which are obvious but somehow profound when they suddenly hit?

Well a few days ago, I finally had mine. You just sit here unhappy, wondering why we do all the things we do, why can’t we be different, why don’t we do better.

All stupid time wasting things.

It’s self-esteem defeating and this societal process is actually worthless. Let me tell you what I’ve learned that has instantly changed my life for the better.

The gurus tell you to re-define yourself. As if you were the one who wired yourself in the first place– step 1, quit listening to idiots.

Step 2: watch don’t judge. If you asked me to write my values on paper, some you’d see reflected in my daily actions… but unfortunately –some you wouldn’t.

There is what we say and what we do, and the truth is in the “do.”

But this is the best thing you’ll ever learn if you understand it and use it. Wanna find a life of passion, excitement, and fulfillment? First, find your lines.

You live your values every single day, and when you fulfill them life itself is RICHER.

If you’re a business owner who is always putting the customer first, and behind the scenes you profess that you hate it but sure enough, without fail, as soon as there are customers you put them first. Later, you’re talking about how you helped them, what they said, and what happened– WELL, like it or not, that’s YOUR VALUE!!!

YOU VALUE HELPING OTHERS IN THIS WAY.

It’s not an accident you do this. We do what we are, and you SHOULD continue to do this. Looking at others, or saying you don’t like it anymore because you’re tired is stupid.

Sure, there can be a better way of doing things and you should find them, but thinking you can pick something different is like saying you’re going to be someone different……

that will never be possible and even worse, as soon as you stop doing what you are– you’ll be depressed. Depression comes from disconnection, when we live by who we uniquely are– we are fulfilled, when we don’t– we’re medicated and distracted.

I profess how much I HATE dependence and believe me I do. BUT one of my top genetic values is camaraderie and so I always feel fulfilled and engaged when I’m working together with my team. I’m so naturally disagreeable that I’ve tried to wash this trait out of me, but as soon as I work with my team, without fail, I return to a better version of me.

I become fulfilled because I’m becoming myself.

Like it or not, I need this to feel alive.

This is what you need to find, and to find it record your day before you go to bed. How did you act? What did you do? How much of those things do you regularly do? What days were good days? What days were bad days?

We’re not looking for the thing itself, we’re looking for the values behind them.

If you live out what you naturally value and stop judging it, you’ll find fulfillment and success (how you define it).

This is the secret. No stupid universal laws, no self improvement books, no dumbass gurus courses.

These values are unique to you, all you have to do is uncover them and then LIVE them.

#FoolForward

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Happiness Cheat Code: Stop Fantasizing

Published July 22, 2021 by V

Stoicism comes from understanding, happiness comes from peace, and fulfillment comes from presence– and yet we chase stoicism through chapters, happiness through experiences, and fulfillment with distraction.

We’ve turned our greatest intelligence, the ability to create, inward. Now, we’ve got an entire generation suffering from restless imagination syndrome– dressed up as anxiety, depression, and overall discontent.

You’re not looking for answers, you’re looking for your values.

As it turns out, life is far more simple than we make it. If I focused each day on only living out my values, I’d naturally feel fulfilled– and that’s all fulfillment is, engaging with your true self.

As children we were helpless, but we understood the concept of play. We could toy with beliefs and values, because back then — we knew they weren’t real. The only thing that was real was our dedication to make believe.

At some point, we became the environment that discouraged us.

Imagine taking all this serious? Complaining and hating life, for what? Even if it sucks and you want to drive around in a lambo, beating yourself up will only move you even further away.

I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that dreams beget misery.

We should have goals, but focusing on what you don’t have is poison. It creates a habit of depressive thinking, small-mindedness, and distorts our perceptions of the world– coloring everything negatively.

Your attitude is the genre of your movie.

I think on a universal scale, we all really just want one thing: A good time while we’re here. That’s why the self-improvement industry is so hot, influencers are a thing, and social media addicting.

We’re looking for it, instead of living it.

Happiness comes from peace, but peace isn’t found. You can’t go somewhere and suddenly have it, because you can’t outrun your own discontented nature.

Peace from mind is happiness.

It’s understanding.

It’s knowing all you have to do is stop searching, fantasizing, complaining– all you really have to do is let go and be here.

Decide what it is that matters most, and prioritize living that out accordingly.

#FoolForward

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Re-learning to Live

Published July 11, 2021 by V

Hey Fool.

I finally get that our dreams, hopes, and achievements don’t actually change our lives– not in the way we think they would.

We might hope for a grand reset through moving to a different state, changing careers, building a new friend group and these things might initiate a little momentum.

But it doesn’t last because change doesn’t come from addition, it comes from revision.

I was always focused on my calling, finding my purpose– I was so tunnel vision on these things I didn’t understand that I was the wrong person to create them.

Overly focused on why I was born, I missed every opportunity to fully enjoy all that the human experience had to offer.

And as I did succeed and inch towards all the things I wanted, I was the same discontented individual.

Then I finally came to understand it, I never re-learned how to live. In my youth I found survival mode.

I was ultra-skeptical, discerning, critical, closed-off, I was mentally distant from the world– because it served me to be. A lot of us enter these phases, but it’s a mistake to let them alter your character and perspective- which I did.

I became someone who was numb to pain… and as a result– numb to joy.

I chased highs to feel something, rather than drugs my choice was risk. Danger made me feel closer to my youth.

But it was always temporary and as soon as the adrenaline wore off, I was me again.

It was made obvious no amount of external anything can change you, regardless of what it was. How lazy and pathetic of me to tie my fulfillment to temporary aspirations.

This isn’t some complain-y post where I drone on about the mysteries of unhappiness and how some of us are just built serious. Nay.

This entire post is about the great re-set. A super underrated ability every single human being possess, gifted to us by mother nature.

YOU CAN REINVENT YOURSELF AT ANY MOMENT.

I’ve always wanted purpose but what I failed to understand back then, purpose is not found it’s created.

I wanted my life to be full of awesome experiences, well those come from a shift in approach to the world, and that comes from an entirely new perspective.

So what caused all this misery?

A cynical attitude, perspective, and focus on negativity.

—So THAT is exactly where you need to start.

Rarely did I stop and appreciate what I had, and I had a lot. The whole, “it’s not enough” is just a garbage attitude that is easily changeable.

This is our superpower.

You don’t need to change who you are, you need to change how you are.

AND that’s entirely within your control.

To begin, you’ll want to shift your focus. Each day, start from a winning mindset. Focus on all you have, be thankful for where you are, and move forward positively– embracing what’s currently before you.

This isn’t easy. Your brain will want to revert and to stay the course you have to have some vision that excites you, about what your life could be. Write it down, feel it, look at it multiple times a day.

With this combination of gratitude and moving towards a new way of life, you will re-find what it means to live fully.

#StayFoolish

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Isn’t it Ironic?

Published July 8, 2021 by V

Why is it that the more you want something, the less likely you are to have it? Well, desperation isn’t attractive to anyone… that, and making a big deal rarely helps individuals achieve.

I’ve made myself miserable with desire– always wanting more.

This was actually the majority of my life, I’d want this, then that, then onto the next. Always moving towards something grandiose, fantastical in nature, something to fly me out of the mundane.

The irony?

Wanting never led to more.

Yes, it pushes you to search, develop yourself, constantly try new things, but it keeps you dissatisfied with life, always empty, always craving, ungrateful.

My solution?

To cool down. I have friends who share my values, but not my personality. They’re far more chill, and being around them regulates my temperature.

This, and hobbies like muay thai and even writing.

I want to embrace my life– all we really have is today and a lot of us don’t have that, because we spit in the face of time by escaping it.

It’s ironic. Some of the best years of my life came when I completely let go of the search and just lived in the now. I wasn’t worried about creation, business, my plans, none of it.

I just played and enjoyed the moment, and thus created an awesome life.

So my new goal isn’t a goal, it’s a way of life.

Rather than drive myself insane with what I want, I’m leaning into the now and making the most of it. I’ll incorporate fun into everything I do, and still pursuing my goals… but that isn’t why I exist.

It’s just part of the journey.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Instead of dedicating your existence to pursuits, focus on living a helluva story by embracing every part of it.

#StayFoolish

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Your Unfair Advantage

Published July 5, 2021 by V

Today, in our social justice world– we’re all concerned with equity, equality, this, that, and the other thing.

But when we’re job-hunting without the aide of our “Greek translation bachelors degree” we naturally might wonder, what the hell should we do for a living?

There’s plenty of ways to approach this. Some will go the “top hits” route and do what others recommend.

This might look like you becoming a real estate agent, having never studied or looked into the markets, having ZERO interest, and being a complete novice when it comes to sales.

But you landed here, because it’s trendy right now.

This is the opposite of the unfair advantage, instead it’s the quickest way to live a mediocre ass life.

And it’s what most will do.

To be fair, you weren’t dealt the absolute best education. We’re all taught the importance of following the pack in order to survive…. but what happens when the pack doesn’t?

Solo dolo time.

Anyways, back to the point of this post.

We all have things we are inclined for, yet it never occurs to any of us to look into these. I’m not talking about passion, only skill. If you’re good at it, you should monetize it.

Fact is, everyone’s got something.

Well, this is the key to your success.

Where do you add massive value? What haven’t you been taught that you excel at? Why do others go to you?

These are the important questions, not what’s your star sign? Or soul’s mission?

A lot of us are buying into bullshit. You’re literally resorting to toddler level thinking from desperation, which is giving rise to scammers, gurus, and a bunch of vampiric parasites who will suck you dry and leave you worthless.

But you always have an alternative.

Take it from someone who survived that route, and successfully made a comeback– GET practical.

Seriously.

Come back down to earth and pay attention to the NOW.

What skills do I naturally have? Where do I get high returns for my efforts?

Figure out your unfair advantage, and go all in on that. This is what gives birth to purpose and meaning, which is what’ll help remedy depression. In the end, the only way to have a fulfilling life is NOT to law of attract it, it’s to BUILD IT.

Stop being so spiritual, and start being practical.

#FoolAround

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Pic-Pocket Watch-Selling Entrepreneurs

Published June 17, 2021 by V

Hey Fool.

Last night I had dinner with a friend and we were talking about the entrepreneurial bug–nowadays, it seems like every millennial’s been bitten by it.

Being two, young and ultra ambitious individuals, we were both trying to get to the core of what made us stop pursuing delusion.

By nature, creatives are delusional.

Yeah, sometimes it serves them and makes for excellence… but have a look around, I’m not seeing anything other than mostly mediocre art.

Everyone wants their candy.

Who wants skills? Mastery? That isn’t fun, it isn’t very interesting, and it can be kinda lonely– since your entire social circle will mostly chase bullshit.

But unless you were actually the lemonade stand kid, played guitar and wrote poetry, lived for what you’re chasing, unless you were into these things for the sake of being into them– what you’re chasing is most likely NOT for you.

Most of the things I tried didn’t fulfill me. In fact, I hated them. Eating ramen and hustling 24/7? Fuck that.

I value health and activity.

Working on projects and ending the day with Muay Thai is more my speed. It’s not cool, but it’s fulfilling.

That’s the point.

Who sold you that cheap dream you’re chasing? Is it really something you want? Are you happy?

It’s funny, even now I’m occasionally struck by the pangs of entrepreneurial envy… wanting what the “greats” have.

But then I return to reality, I’m running my own race. I’m choosing skills, mastery, and building my life to be something more than just sacrifice.

While others depress themselves with delusion, you can find me patiently building.

Cheers,

–AnotherFool

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Get Tough On Goal Setting

Published June 13, 2021 by V

When you aren’t obstructing your own progress by feeling sorry for yourself, you’ll be able to achieve your goals with much less resistance.

Most of us don’t have goals, we have aims… not even that, we’ve got ideas.

We’ve got some vague illusion for what we want out of life floating around in our minds, but no actual way to measure, define, or act on it.

These ideas are where you’re delusional. We all have blind spots, and it’s different for each of us– but to see them you’ll have to become far more objective.

When it comes to creation, I easily default to delusion. Whether that be starting a business, working on a project, creating content… it doesn’t matter. My love for grandiose ideas, blinds any potential progress.

I learned to combat this by chasing problems, problems I want to SOLVE.

Practicality.

For me not to get lost in the idea phase, I always choose the quickest action and move on it immediately.

I know I’m going to sound like some flat, uninteresting, 2-dimensional robot, but dreams never got me anywhere- GOALS did.

If you want to go somewhere knew, you’ll need to change your approach.

Specific – What is the direction and meaning of the goal I’m pursuing?
Measurable – Will the goal be able to be measured?
Attainable – Is the goal realistic?
Relevant – Does the goal align with my inner self?
Time-Bound – When will the goal need to be met?

#StayFoolish

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How To Play The Unwinnable Game

Published June 12, 2021 by V

IT isn’t passion, so what did these gurus leave out of their gawdawful courses?

Skills.

There isn’t a subject, niche, career, or activity that when found gets rid of all your problems. It doesn’t work like that.

Without knowing it, most of us are really after the same thing.

We all want a fulfilling life, but being emotionally overdrawn and spiritually bankrupt– we end up convinced that a bad idea is our only way out.

I’m not some fan of the good ol’ days. I never understood that saying, who gives a shit about simpler times?

You need hobbies, side quests, interests… you need these right NOW. Passion- meh, calling, don’t know.

IT’s the interests and little side quests that ironically lead to what you’re looking for.

So instead of staying on route… leave.

#StayFoolish

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Cheap Questions Poor Results…

Published June 9, 2021 by V

“What do you want out of life?

Oh how this question used to haunt me. And if you answered happiness or magical awesomeness… refer back to the title.

Advertising has confused us.

A lot of the ideas we have about “the good life” and what would make us happy are wrong, and they’re not our own.

The best way I’ve ever heard this re-framed is by author Mark Manson, who offered an alternative to the traditional cheap questions.

“What pain do you want in your life? What are you willing to struggle for?”

Everyone says they want success– either through freedom, entrepreneurship, or financial independence… the answer doesn’t really matter. Most people that say this aren’t willing to LIVE out the sacrifices that come from the building phase.

They don’t want the risk, stress, long nights and early days…. they don’t want the cost, only the reward.

You can’t win if you don’t play.

The problems you enjoy facing are the answer. It’s the bad experiences, the not planned outcomes, the days where you don’t know if you’ll make it– that determines a lot of what is for us.

I used to fantasize about being rich and famous. In this fantasy, I was basically a rockstar… for what? Nothing really, just successful. It sounds stupid, but I went after this for years- full steam ahead.

When this reality never came, because I only loved the end results and not the work itself- I left it cold.

Our struggles determine our successes, so choose wisely.

#FoolMeOnce

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Around the Block & Back…with a New Bike

Published April 17, 2021 by V

What’s up fool,

How goes it?

It’s 3:30 in the morning right now and I can’t sleep because I’m too excited. I want to articulate this message as best as I can, but I’m having a hard time because I don’t fully understand it.

So I guess I’ll think out loud, and hopefully we can both work out the meaning.

For myself, it really started in my senior year of college- this is where I tasted what I wanted my life to be.

I didn’t know it at the time, but I was playing with the very fire I was made of: this was passion.

THEN I left.

Yeah, why? Because I was 18, cocky AF, and too full of myself to think the world didn’t bend to my will.

I left it all behind, initially it was to pursue that passion, but I got distracted, and I chased advertising.

You can only “fake it” so much. After a year and a half of “running on E” I returned, but I wasn’t the same. Having failed, in theory, I was accompanied by mania. I guess I didn’t realize that I was angry about what I’d done, or rather didn’t do. I cheated what I set out to do, with trendy ideas of success.

This left me with deep resentment, but as a hard-headed individual, I carried on.

I went through an aggressive trial phase- a sort of self apprenticeship, minus the learning. I spent time going through various “ideas” of what to do with my life- all of them grandiose and having nothing to do with what actually brought me joy.

I chased random “success” and so I never got it.

I did this for years, and in doing it, lost what made me come alive. I hit an all new low, and knew I needed to intervene. After years of sinking, I pulled myself out. I moved, made more bad decisions and hit an even lower low. #Lowrider

At this point, I started to wonder- is my superpower surviving underwater, because no matter how much I drowned- I couldn’t die.

For whatever reason, I never went out peacefully? Oh, I’m depressed? – Then read. Oh, I feel like shit? Then Play. I never stood still, movement became my answer.

This restlessness saved me.

At bottom, I returned again… jeez, how many times can you circle the same block? Idk. But here we go.

This time, it was barely different, but it was different enough.

I needed to write, I needed to understand why, what, and how- so I wrote. I had one rule- SHOW UP and write everyday.

And I did.

This dumb, small, seemingly insignifcant habit, led me to getting a career that suited me, which led me to refinding my passion from my youth, the one I tasted senior year.

It was always here and it was always this, but I kept biking around it, totally missing it.

Finally, after the 100th circle around, I saw it, and stopped there.

You know what you want, but you over-thought it, over-shot it, and overlook it regularly.

But it’s always there, waiting for you to pick it up.

Do what you have to, but don’t every stop moving.

#StayFoolish

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Eyes Wide Open Shut

Published April 14, 2021 by V

Attitude is everything.

With the right mindset you can promote yourself, have any career you want, go and do whatever you want, and be who you actually admire.

Stepping into a playful mindset is all it takes to live a fulfilling life.

And this is somehow the hardest thing for all of us to do.

Why?

It takes letting go.

It’s almost stupid how easy it is. If you decided, for today, you’d let go of all the dumb things that rob you of joy and you just lived in the moment, you’d see exactly what I’m talking about.

Resilience is an attitude. Resourcefulness is an attitude. Success is an attitude.

That’s what they don’t teach us. Everyone is capable, but you won’t reach your goals hating yourself and the world. Drop the edgy and open your eyes.

The only thing you can control is how you show up, but lucky for you, it’s all that matters.

#StayFoolish

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