The pity is that everyone hates their job. The pity is that everyone is looking for a way out. A way to make ends meet without the soul crushing.
The pity is that most people spend years going to college and years working in a soul-killing position before they open their eyes.
The pity is that everyone thinks “If I could just get that one great idea…”, “If I could just get one big break…”, “If only someone gave me a chance I could really do something great”. The pity is that all the time spent day dreaming could have been spent building something.
The pity is that most people live with mountains of debt, go to work to pay off the debt, and then buy more things on credit. The pity is that everyone feels the burden of all that stuff on their shoulders but they don't know that it's ok to get rid of it all.
The pity is that people have become soul-less. The pity is that they drown themselves in booze, or narcotics, or games, or sex. The pity is that they think there is no way out.
The pity is that they become nihilistic. The pity is that instead of building and making the decision to live a rewarding and fulfilling life they just continue on the same path that is killing them.
The pity is that they will type, type, type away about all of their problems but they won't type up a solution.
The pity is that they have unprecedented freedom to do anything they want. The pity is that it's easier to not have a job than it is to have a job.
The pity is that everyone has an idea of what they want but no one has a plan. The pity is that when someone asks them “What do you want” they do not have a concrete answer.
That is the pity with them.
The pity with you is that you are not soul-less. The pity is that you are not a dumb animal. The pity is that they have unlimited options. The pity is that you consciously choose a dead-end path. The pity is that you will not make a decision without a committee approval. The pity is that even though you are free you act like a prisoner.
The pity is that the solution has been right in front of your eyes this entire time.
It's time to break free.
Answering this question concretely – “What do you want” – is not an easy task.
People have vague ideas of what they want and use answers or phrases such as ‘freedom’, ‘lots of money’, ‘a beautiful wife’, etc. etc.
But, these are loose terms.
Vic, i wonder, what would be your concrete answer to that question?
Peter, yes I can answer that question with complete detail. I will probably have a post along these lines coming soon.
Just Wanted to say I Like your site. I stumbled upon it about a month ago and it has become one of the few that I read regularly. I was already in the midst of getting a side business soing and anytime I feel my motivation starting to dwindle I come back here for some motivation and its back to kicking ass!
Keep it up
Welcome, brother.
I was once negotiating a deal with a client who was a very successful entrepreneur ( multi millionaire from numerous businesses) . As we discussed numbers, the conversation veered off into the advantages/disadvantages of being self employed versus working for someone else. He looked at me, and said bluntly ” I don’t know you really well, but in the interactions we have had I can tell you are not the personality type that can work for someone else, if you choose that path you will just waste your time/talents away and probably just become an alcoholic. ” Those words always stuck with me.
“It’s OK To Feel Sorry For Yourself (If You’re Pitiful)” This is how I started a couseling session with a small group of students. I love your take on things because they are real and real world.