I was reading the 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss and found this metaphor profound. The man in the red BMW is a powerful picture that inspires various reactions. A middle aged man drives up in a shiny new car. For most people it invokes pictures of success. After all, this is the pinnacle of status symbols. 80% of society buys into the lie.
You are smarter or you wouldn’t be reading this. You look at the world differently than the masses. While the rest-lemmings-run over the edge of the cliff, you carve your own path.
Look past the sun glaring off the chrome. Look closer at the man and a different picture emerges. Is that a receding hairline and a double chin? Look at the pasty skin since the only light he sees is fluorescent. The bags under his eyes are from the sleepless nights he spends worrying about the younger guy snapping at his heels. The wrinkles on his brow from worrying about the bills and creditors…and what his neighbors would think if they knew the truth. When was the last time he exercised? How close to a heart attack is he? Is that his second or third wife sitting next to him? He sure doesn’t look happy. He is caught in an endless trap. He works more to earn more so he can buy more toys to impress people he doesn’t even like.
Several years ago it hit me…I was that man. I looked at my career and found it to be empty. I had let life blow me from job to job. The major factor in each decision was job title and salary. Yes, the view was fantastic that far up the ladder. The problem was that the ladder was leaning against the wrong wall…and I was miserable!
So how do you set yourself free? You begin by soul searching. Until you know what you want in life…What are your values? What do you enjoy about your job (and past jobs)? What do you hate?
Once you have these values, you begin to design your life. Start with your short, mid, and long term goals. Make sure they cover work, family, and personal achievement. Make them challenging and inspiring. Make sure they are specific and written. Don’t worry about making mistakes, your goals will grow with you and change over time.
Eliminate people and things that do not support or uplift you. It is scary, it sounds cold, and is absolutely necessary. Until you make space you will not be able to make your dreams a reality.
An amazing thing will happen. As you eliminate people, new friends will walk into your life. As you make space, career and business opportunities will pop up.
