I am getting ready to record a podcast and I thought it would be interesting to share my notes before I do.

  • Find out what things you are interested in. Read, listen, travel, talk to people.
  • Through your own virtues, think about which one of those if practiced perfectly can bring about a reason that is beyond just yourself. In other words, which one of those hobbies/interests can somehow have a positive effect on the world.
  • Make sure that what you choose will not be easy, something challenging enough that you know you are capable of overcoming. Remember that if the road is worthwhile, meaningful, remember that your own suffering will benefit not only yourself but others down the road.
  • Choose something and stick to it, its not a one way street, the farther you get trying to achieve that one goal you’ll at least realize the closer you are what the job/pursuit will entail. Making a tangential turn in your direction is okay. But embarking on that path, moving forward is the first step in order to find that purpose. Quote from my blog on What we can learn from Don Draper
    • “If you aren’t familiar Don Draper is a success-filled yet complicated man with many traits that are not admirable. He comes off as a confident, and motivated man who seems like he always has an answer to everything, yet he battles personal demons that sometimes slow him down in his direction in life. There is one thing that we can learn from Don Draper though, he goes after what he wants without the thoughts of any repercussions. He does so by embodying the quote(for the most part) that is repeated a few times throughout the series. Move forward. Keeping those of you who haven’t seen the show in mind, Don Draper started with nothing yet ended up with his dream job. He did so by taking what he knew he was good at and kept walking without hesitation. When he stumbled at a pit fall he didn’t walk backwards. He stood his ground, reassessed and kept walking. By stopping and looking around he is able to see what the road ahead of him leads to. Without the constant direction he wouldn’t be far enough to see what that certain end point is. This is what I personally gathered from this simple quote, choose a goal that is attainable, whatever it might be and stick to it. With enough determination, grit, and having the fortitude to learn to keep walking forward you’ll realize that the closer you get to your goal the better you can see what it would be like. If you don’t like that image or if you cannot see yourself doing that thing, at least you know two things; 1) The knowledge of knowing this isn’t for you, which if you hadn’t done so you’d spend your life wondering 2) You didn’t waste your time because that direction you are headed in is in the right and positive direction. It’s just a sign to make a tangential turn. The problem is that many don’t embody the fact that life is finite. This is something that as children we have all embodied, finding out what we like means dipping your toes in as many waters as possible. Learning what pond to stick to is the hard part but yet necessary for adulthood. Because as Dr. Jordan Peterson would say, “There’s nothing uglier than an old infant, there's nothing good about it it people who don't grow up don't find the sort of meaning in their life that sustains them through difficult times and they are certain to encounter difficult times and they're left bitter and resentful and without purpose and adrift and hostile and resentful and vengeful and arrogant and deceitful and and of no use to themselves and of no use to anyone else and no partner for a woman and there's nothing in it that's good.””
  • Understand that this road will present you with sacrifices you need to make. It is inevitable, but the higher good will present you with feelings that are more positive than the sacrifices you had to make. This may take days, weeks, months or years. You need to be okay with this in order to find that duty.
  • Find mentors, people who have been down this road to offer guidance and advice, you are not alone in this pursuit. Even if you are the first there are many people you can look to that have had paralleled roads.
  • Financial gain should not be your number one priority. It is a byproduct of becoming exemplary at a given thing.
  • Learn to make connections, be friendly, charismatic, but never be a pushover, know your worth. Quote from blog Know Your Worth
    • There are people in this world who will give you less than you deserve. There are people who will treat you poorly. There are also people who will give you more than you deserve. There are also people who will treat you well even when you do not deserve it.
    • Find out what you are worth and know what is allowed and what isn’t. Make sure you know that what you are given is just, if not, let yourself be known.
  • Know what you want, there will be people who can help you so speaking to people and helping them understand your path will help others want to help you.
  • Putting all your cards on one objective is not necessary, keep the hobbies that are healthy and provide you with what makes you human.
  • Do not let others sway you from your goal, some people will find your path humorous, unattainable, and not-worthwhile. The only person you can let judge you is yourself. This is your path, and no one can come in between you and your duty. Find friends who understand you and provide you with the wind you need to help push you forward. You will find that the closer you are to your goal the more jealous people trying to deter you will become apparent be careful when choosing people you trust.
  • Find out what things you need to do everyday that will make you at least 1% better or closer to your goal. Do these things everyday.
  • Do not lose hope. If you’ve lost hope then either your duty that you have chosen isn’t the right one or you’re letting fear come in between you and your duty. Look inward and see which one it is. If it is fear, then try to explain to yourself that nothing worthwhile in life comes through being comfortable. Everything that you want, the duty and purpose you are so willing to find is accompanied by a road where fear is a direct companion. Learn to overcome this, you will only become stronger.
  • You will find that a new confidence will guide you in your decision making process, knowing how hard you have worked, knowing that you’ve given up so much comfortability you will start to see a product. One of these is confidence. You are out working your peers, knowing you’ve done almost everything in order to be great, thought of the potential obstacles, prepared for them. It only makes sense that this feeling of pride in your work will come out as confidence. Now remember to remain humble.
    • Understand the difference between arrogance and confidence.
  • Every obstacle, every painful feeling, every uncomfortable circumstance in life is something that you can get over. -MA.
  • Whatever you do, DO NOT GIVE UP. The road is tough and people dropping off is inevitable. The longer you pursue, the more people quit, and with this constant influx of progression you will be the last to stand. You will be chosen, hang in there.