Hey Friend,
We're all daytraders, not just the experts who ply their trade in the stock market. Think about it. What is your life? Your life is your time. And if your life is your time, then what are you trading your time for each day? The truth is every day, you and I exchange our time for a whole host of pursuits from eating, to surfing the internet, to volunteering, to watching TV, to hobbies, to exercise, and yes, to our jobs.
And how do you determine whether or not you are getting a good return on investment for those activities? I measure my return rate based on the level of fulfillment, purpose, and joy I receive. I know I'm getting a good return on investment if by doing these activities, that I am more...ALIVE to life itself.
Consider that in light of a Deloitte study a few years ago that discovered that a whopping 87.8% percent of the people in the modern American workforce do not reach their full potential because they fundamentally don't like what they do. Translation -- their jobs do not bring them a high return rate on investment in purpose, enjoyment, and passion.
So you're telling me that nearly 90% of people in our workforce are trading 2/3 of their conscious life for something that does not fundamentally bring them life? Wow. That is just too high of a price to pay for me. I mean, we only get one of these things called "life." Why not invest your best energies in something you love, something that infuses you with life, something that stirs a passion inside of you? And yes. That applies your J-O-B just as much as it does to your hobbies.
I hear what you're saying, "That's not practical, Bill." What could be more "practical" than finding a vocation that aligns with your personality, skills, and interests? What could be more "practical" than investing such a significant portion of your life in something you were created to do? I could choose to cut my grass with a pair of scissors, but I don't. Why? Scissors weren't made to cutting grass. My John Deere 320 with a 48" mower deck was -- and it does its job well.
So, What are you made to do? What are you passionate about? For some, the answer comes easily. For others, not so much.
Regardless of which group you identify with, let me challenge you to figure it out. Your life is too valuable not to.
Use the following questions to jump-start the process.
When was the last time you became excited about something? What excited you?
What was the last thing you were thrilled to talk about? What made your voice change as you spoke about the subject?
When was the last time you felt like you were making a difference? Why did you feel this way?
The answers to these questions point you in the direction of your passion. Your passion points you in the right direction toward living out your purpose in life.
Let me tell you that you find unbelievable daily satisfaction levels by living out a meaningful and purposeful life daily.
Let your heart and intuition point you in the right direction.
I hope this helps.
Bill
