How wonderful is life? We have so many options with everything on offer, from education, politics, gender, sexuality, career, social events, watching TV, social media. It goes on and on.
The generation of choice is here! The problem is that there is so much choice it is possible to get lost in a world of indecision and remain in a mist of confusion. When I talk to my children and ask “What do you want out of life” The answer is nearly always “I don’t know”
Do they stay in education to get a great job or do they turn on their entrepreneurial streak and set up their own business? Do they save to buy a house or decide on renting forever? Do they ‘upticks’ and travel the world, while they are young, or work as many jobs as possible to run the car and be independent?
I suppose, the skill is to look at the options but make a decision, eventually. Put a line in the sand and focus on something worthwhile to create your future and, eventually, your legacy.
When I turned 18, I had already had a go at being a professional footballer, but didn’t make it. I decided that I would join the RAF and, before I knew it, I was doing my basic training at RAF Swinderby. My focus was to do the best I could do at that particular moment and get through the 6 week ‘induction’ to military life. The following 9 years was a rollercoaster ride and ended with me leaving the RAF to spread my wings and move into the next phase of my life. Since 1992 I have been (mostly) self employed running small businesses. I decided that I wanted to be my own boss and make my own choices with my, growing, family. I wanted to spend time at home, pay the bills and have holidays.
It wasn’t easy. Sleepless nights worrying about paying the mortgage, sitting in front of the computer willing emails to come in, cold calling potential new clients and devising plans to get the company name out there and get busy.
It has been rewarding in so many ways, and the journey is far from over yet, but it has required a level of focus and decision making. Dismissing the options that didn’t add value and following the path towards better results. Be busy to get busy. Be smart and work in the right way. Listen to others, adapt and change but just keep going.
Life’s journey is like walking down a corridor full of doors. Which doors do we open? Do we go through the door and lock it behind us?
One thing I know is that we don’t want to just walk up and down the corridor and never open a door – we need to do something worthwhile, it’s why we are here….
Pick a film and watch it – don’t worry about all of the choices!
A 3.25 minute goalcast video Click here to watch