Morbid? Maybe. True? Absolutely.
I’ve come to the realization that the concept of putting in your time and effort just to get a paycheck, save for retirement and put off living your life until your older is a futile attempt at keeping citizens of a capitalist society in check. Since as far back as I can remember I have been living the life that I thought I was supposed to be living.
Do well in school, go to college and get a job. Stay at a job you aren’t passionate about, put up with your commute to work and stick with the status quo. Buy the latest gadgets, watch too much television and collapse in bed each night dreading the next morning to come. I don’t know about how you live your life, but I’m done living like that.
My Life Will Change
By the end of this year I have vowed to myself to make a major change in my life. Come January 1st, 2012 I plan to look back at 2011 as the end of one journey in my life and the start of another.
I don’t want to work FOR the man, I want to BE the man. My thoughts on how I feel about life right now can best be summarized by a quote from Steve Job’s commencement speech at Standford in 2005.
“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.” - Steve Jobs
The answer for me each morning has been a resounding no for way too long. Here is how I am going to change it.
Plan Out the Next Year
I have already spent time determining what my passions are and what I want to spend my life energy doing for the next few years, so what I need to do next is make a plan and stick to it. I have already begun looking at my finances to plan the change and I just need to set the goal amounts in stone.
If I want to live each day like it is my last then I need to make an escape plan from the current grind. By laying out a plan I will be able to tell others about it and hold myself accountable to it. Putting the escape date and countdowns on a calendar will also be a big motivation for me to save what I need, put the framework in place and take the final steps to make the change.
Change What You Are Doing Today
There are changes that align with my plan for the year that I can work on right away. Working on this site directly relates to my goal, as does having a healthier diet and exercise routine. Saving money by not spending needlessly on things that don’t bring me value will allow me to follow through with my plan.
I have been a chronic procrastinator for years. Recently I have started to do the tasks I have been putting off for far too long. I have also been flagging fewer tasks for later and just dealing with them in batches right away. A big reason why I have been able to do this is Leo Babauta’s latest ebook, The Little Guide to Un-Procrastination (non-affiliate link). I am only recommending this because it has truly changed my life in just the single week I have been using the tactics described by the book.
Put What Is Most Important First
Don’t start the day by checking your email, fighting the fires or dreading the day. Decide what the most important thing you want to accomplish that day is and do that first. Once you are able to start living a life of action instead of one of reaction you can really change the direction your life is headed.
By focusing more on what you spend your time doing you can avoid the feeling of time being wasted. Instead of going through the day relying on a schedule set up by others, create your own. Spend a few minutes at the start of the day deciding how your day will look before you start responding to voicemails, emails and tasks on your to do list. If you spend your days doing what is most important to you, they will be more satisfying and you will be happier.
How are you going to live your life? Are you going to keep plodding along, waiting for the day when you have saved up enough money to retire? Or are you going to live your life to the fullest, one day at a time?
If you think life is too short to keep putting off your dreams, please share this post below. People need to start living each day of their life like it is their last.
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Great post, Caleb. I am also making big plans and taking action to live life on my own terms. Thanks for your thoughts!
Thanks Vic. I think that anyone at any point in their life can always take the time to re-focus themselves.
All good thoughts, Caleb. Thanks for linking to Leo’s book - it’s one I’ve been meaning to look at. One thing you mention that just doesn’t seem to work for me, for whatever reasons, is telling people my what my plans are. I just like planning and executing without visibility and the ensuing inquiries, so what I do is journal my plans and subsequent efforts. It’s what keeps me on track more than anything. Thought this might be a helpful alternative for your readers who might feel the same way. Great post. Susan
Journaling your plans to yourself instead of telling others is a way to stay on track as well. I usually don’t end up telling everyone I know what exactly I’m up to, just a few people that I am close to.
I agree with you. Accountability can be with yourself if you are mentally strong.
Hey Caleb, really great post - honest and powerful. There’s a really great quote from Marianne Williamson: “as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Thank you for shining, and being an inspiring light to the rest of us!
That is a great quote Danny. I agree that other people showing their light and stepping out into the world to live a different light has inspired me to do the same.
Thanks for sharing!
Hey Caleb**
Life IS too short and our time here uncertain…so I wish you huge luck in following your passions…it is a great thing to step out of the box and live life on your own terms…really LIVE, not just survive!
So hats off to you for embarking on this journey, make it awesome!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and message
Claudia
Some days I feel like I am just surviving and not living. Gotta make sure I remember that!
Caleb, came across your post on twitter and couldn’t help but comment. The entire post speaks exactly to the life that I’ve been trying to live since leaving my corporate job over a year and a half ago. Truly living your life like every day is a gift… does wonders.
As you mentioned, I’ve put a huge emphasis on sticking to a healthy diet and exercising, so much that I’ve made it the first thing I do every morning bright and early. I think your explanation of “Decide what the most important thing you want to accomplish that day is and do that first” is what many people need to get going.
Here’s to living each day like it’s the last one!
Thanks for stopping by! Every day really is a gift and we often forget that.
Great post, Caleb. We definitely take each day for granted like tomorrow will be come again. I don’t take it as being morbid; it’s just life. Live each day as if it is your last (and I’ll add) with no regrets.
Good stuff, buddy!
Great point! I love “with no regrets”.
I was never a status quo kind of a guy which always resulted in flack by my family and peers. I am an individual and i like having my own way of living my life.
Caleb,
Great stuff!
Doing first things first is a biggie. I plan my day the night before and I try to work on the most important things related to my blog as first thing in the morning - before hitting the office.
By that way I know I have accomplished at least something, which takes me closer to my goals. It is a great feeling to be in control of your future
Starting off the day with the #1 task is a great way to have a productive day. Not only will you be able to focus on the most important task, you will also be more likely to accomplish more throughout the day.
Hi Caleb. That was a lovely and inspiring post. Henry David Thoreau once said that “most people live lives of quiet desperation” and for a long time, sadly, that was true for me also. But not anymore!
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