STOP! The Chase & Figure out your WHY
STOP! The Chase
You are running around like a headless chicken. You don’t have time to exercise, read, or do anything YOU want to do. Your days and nights blend into this saga, and that’s your life.
What happened? How did you get here?
Deep down, you believe that doing all this helps you accomplish something, something you are chasing.
But what is that you are chasing?
Don’t overthink it; answer it right now.
Got it? Write it down somewhere.
Now, for the next few days, sit with this question. What is it that you are chasing? WHY are you doing all this? You make hundreds of decisions in a single day, but what was the original choice that started it all?
My WHY is to be FREE. Debt-free. Guilt-free. Stress-free.
Free to create what I want. Free to travel and devote time to building relationships that matter. Free to give my time to my local community.
Every decision I make goes through this filter - will this decision get me closer to being free? If not, the answer is No.
Do not underestimate the value of having a clear WHY.
Have a clear Why, and you won’t lack motivation ever again.
Have a clear Why, and it will shift your identity to someone you wish you were.
Have a clear Why because you will become the person who leads with action, not talk.
Once you have your Why, Be relentless.
Start with the foundation.
Financial foundation: Emergency fund (6-12 months of expenses).
Spiritual foundation: Meditation practice. A place to reflect, let go, and get guidance.
Skill foundation: Be the top 20% in a skill that is valuable in the marketplace.
Relationship foundation: Create and nurture a loving, dependable relationship with yourself and at least one other person.
Once a solid foundation is in place. Experiment. Pivot and pursue more of what you want to do.
Avoid the temptation of lifestyle creep. Your foundation will bring societal traps of nice cars, watches, and THINGS.
Remember, If it doesn’t get you closer to your WHY - the answer is NO.
Don’t throw away all the work you did in building a foundation.
The End.
Whatever the pursuit, in the end, you just want to be happy right?
Wrong.
You want Joy and Peace, not happiness.
Happiness is retail therapy. Happiness is eating ice cream on a hot summer day with your feet in the ocean.
Happiness is conditional. You got what you wanted = Happiness.
Joy on the other hand, doesn’t start with 'I want …..'
Joy isn't so focused on the self.
Joy comes from being of service to others.
Gaining peace from doing your duty. Being part of something meaningful. Experiencing love.
That’s the real stuff. And if you are not chasing that, then your Why might need some revision.
I hope this inspired you to invest some time in clarifying your WHY and stopping the mindless chase of things that don’t really matter.
Be Relentless.
PM
Source/Inspiration: Q&A with Tim Ferriss