We think we know what’s good for us.
But this isn’t always the case.
Fueled by impulse and desire, we pursue our whims, rather than what we need.
We know the outcomes, and the many times we’ve been burned.
Whether we got hyped about a new job or a fine woman, our thirst was undeniable.
However, when the emotional smoke cleared, we realized our excitement was an illusion.
The career move came with a ton of responsibility, more than a few extra bucks could make us forget, and that hot woman was true to the game, making us pay to play.
“What happened?” You ask. “Where’s my come up, the easy life I imagined?”
I can assure you, the culprit isn’t the situation. In fact, we got what we wanted, right?
So what’s the problem?
You.
Your thinking was grandiose and your expectations unrealistic.
When I was a kid and still involved in music, you couldn’t tell me I wouldn’t be a superstar. I could taste it, feel it. I just knew one day the world would be at my feet.
Well, I was wrong.
Why?
Having dreams and goals is wonderful, provided they’re grounded in reality.
My problem wasn’t thinking big, it was running on emotion without clear goals or direction.
While I achieved some notoriety as a musician, for the longest time I couldn’t understand why I hadn’t become what I’d set out to be.
I played the victim and told myself I wasn’t lucky or lacked talent.
As I grew older, I realized this wasn’t the case. It was more basic than that.
I simply didn’t know what I wanted.
Just saying you’re going to be successful isn’t enough, you need to think through the process and put a plan into action. And your plan must be practical with consistent increases in difficulty (think exercising and progressive resistance).
You also need to consider options within your profession.
I never made a living as a musician. I simply thought I’d learn my instrument, get in a band, and magically hit the success jackpot.
I completely overlooked the wide range of opportunities for musicians. For example, I could have been a producer, performer, teacher, song and/or film score writer. By limiting myself and not honing my skills in several areas, I had nothing to build on other than a vague notion about being a star.
By consistently working on your goals, you’ll see gains. You will also get discouraged. But that’s natural, just come back tomorrow and do it again.
A disciplined approach, coupled with realistic goals, will help you reap the rewards that come from pursuing your dreams each day to the best of your ability.
Further, when you focus on what you can do right now, while working to increase your capacity, your results will outlast any losses you may have suffered.
Looking back, you’ll be proud of what you accomplished.
Later,
Gary
