Why do you keep going ?

SkorchZang · 2016-06-10T08:32:15+00:00

Your friend's asking all the right questions huh? So big and philosophical it even gave you a hiccup.

By the way, he's onto something there: everyone dies in the end so what is the point of working super hard at what you do.

Here is how I think about it.

It's exactly because everyone dies in the end that the fire is lit under our ass. You gotta get in the habit, be in a hurry every day to make your chosen mission in life your reality. Death is looking over everyone's shoulder, checking out how you're doing.

There is something I would call an intrinsic benefit to training yourself, pushing hard. It is a little hard to explain, but have you ever experienced the difference in how you WERE, inside your head, when you were 110% focused on something and making your steady, step by step progress toward victory? That state is special. It differs from "just getting by, man" qualitatively. You turn yourself into a different gear spiritually by doing this.

If you train yourself to be in that state as much as possible, it certainly does not matter what you do - you could be a CEO or a humble coal miner somewhere. Both will die and it will all end, but both will end somewhere very different compared to the apathetic "get by" type of man. It's almost as if hard work on your own self leaves some kind of immortal imprint in your very soul; and in that sense even death is not the end of your rightfully earned INWARD greatness as a piece of pure being. A focused, self-made man who is beaming like a laser - not a floppy semi-automated lazy animal. These things cannot be acquired by just deciding to be that way, they must be constantly and ruthlessly trained. So you see the importance of putting your true weight into it, especially in the minor things. Your buddy is right in that the results you may or may not get at the end never truly belong to you, but he is missing something if you ask me. He is missing the concept of a man's inner world, and how it reflects the outer. In the end, no matter where you are and what you do, that inner world will always be with you as the bedrock of who you are, even before any experiences like feeling, hearing, seeing.

Expressed in a shampoo cliche: Because I'm Worth It.

CypherWolf21 · 2016-06-10T08:19:05+00:00

Well first of all you do have to have a goal. Regardless of scope - you need one. Wether it's revolutionary and world changing or not. If you don't have a goal then there is literally no point to living - you might as well be an amoeba.

A man must have a purpose to which he works. Once you have a goal which is important to you it shouldn't be hard to strive for it. If you want something badly enough you'll find ways to get shit done.

MikeAlphaGolf · 2016-06-10T08:21:26+00:00

I don't see that you need to have some life defining end goal at your age. But the benefit of experience has made me wish that I did a few things differently in my early adult life. Set yourself up for the future.

Study something useful. Start getting strong and in shape now. Start building your assets. Don't be drunk all of the time. Build your social skills and learn to be social without a skin full of beer.

Have fun.

CrodudeClassic · 2016-06-10T10:24:00+00:00

You sound like me at that age (24/m now). If I were able to go back and talk to myself for a few minutes, I'd probably say something along these lines. Stop paying for university tuition until you know what you are passionate about and do something you enjoy while you figure out your life.

I got a bachelor's in Mathematics, and I will likely never use it for any sort of practical purposes. Currently, I'm on track to becoming a medic (just finished my EMT-Intermediate program) and I fucking love it. The pay isn't that great, but the adrenaline rush every time that siren goes off is fucking amazing. I don't want to do this forever, but I certainly see myself doing it for a few years to gain some (more) perspective. I gotta say, seeing people on their worst days all the time really makes you appreciate how good you have it and can make one feel guilty for not utilizing their time to the fullest.

My 2nd and most important bit of advice I'd give to myself? STOP. SMOKING. WEED. Worst decision I ever made for myself, I didn't realize it at the time but it absolutely destroyed my motivation to better myself. Weed makes you content. Man is not made to be content but to reach for more, and I didn't realize how unhappy I was being "content" all the time until I stopped. If you do it regularly the first month-month and a half will be the hardest to quit, but once you're finally out of that haze (yes, it takes that long) you won't even want to smoke again. Not to mention how much money you'll be saving.

Anyway, make with this what you will, good luck kid, and remember this if nothing else: Time is the single most valuable resource for man - all other resources (money, knowledge, power, etc.) are derivatives of your time spent. You can never get lost time back, but don't waste more time fretting over the time you've already wasted, make the most with what you've got left.

Apanthropos · 2016-06-10T10:34:40+00:00

You aquire knowlwdge and skills and what seem to be a hard struggle, eventually becomes effortless. You mind also broadens, accepts and creates new ways of thinking. It gives you new options in life. All of it comes from expirience.

You have to train your mind as you train your body. A weak mind is prone to depression. If you dont train your body and mind, you will suffer more at your later stages in life. You will be left behind in mediocrity.

As women are made to raise children, men are made to antagonize themselves and become better.

DirtyProject0r · 2016-06-10T17:31:39+00:00

Not sure if this is gonna be read by you since there are already a lot of posts on this thread but anyway.

Basically he asked me what would change if he worked his ass off 24/7 instead of just doing it "like others do", as in the end we all die and everything we did is lost so what's wrong with playing games and smoking weed without caring that much ?

Because that is a mediocre life and I do not want to live a mediocre life for three main reasons. First, a mediocre life will probably not get you in that much trouble and it will be OK overall. But I do not want an OK life. I want a fucking awesome life and when I die I want to think "Damn, that was one hell of a ride. Couldn't have done it better!" instead of "I was happy most of the time but I wanted to have done so much more..." Knowing I do my best and chase my dreams make me so incredibly happy even though I work my ass of for them and it definitely is not easy. But it feels so good when you pull shit off!

Secondly, mediocre does not necessarily make you happy. On the street, when I see couples walking, I never see them smile. On the train or bus, nobody is smiling. They do like "all others do". On a daily basis that means waking up, go to work from 9 to 5 to a job you are not passionate about, go home and have dinner with your significant other that you only fuck once a month and keeps nagging at you and go to sleep. On the long term, you find someone, get married and die. I have never seen someone who lives a mediocre life truly be happy on the same level as people who have done their best in life and have reached their life goals. So to me the latter is the way to go. I am smiling all the fucking time, man.

Finally, I simply hate myself when I do not do my best and know I can do better. I have only one life, one chance to do shit and in that one life I am going to be sure I take all chances, take as much opportunities as possible and make sure I get the most out of myself. It is hard, sure, but hella more satisfactory.

And as of purpose: think of what you want RIGHT now. Do you want to make sure you pass your exams? Make sure you do, make that your purpose. Want to get muscled as fuck? Make that your purpose and do your best at things that are currently important right now. You are young, you still have enough time to figure out what your life purpose is. Do not stress about it too much.

Geleemann · 2016-06-10T09:42:41+00:00

If life has no purpose, you can either make one for yourself, or do what you love and enjoy.

Right now, mine are all weightlifting and callisthenic related, plus studying for my degree. I don't enjoy the actual studying, but I like the content if that makes sense. As for my goal in life? I just do what I enjoy in the moment and right now it's working to save a few more thousand dollars and a muscle up and frontlever, then squat 2x body weight.

What do you enjoy, and see yourself doing? You may not know, that's completely normal, but do what's right for you in this present moment

noFunnyLoginsLeft · 2016-06-10T09:44:36+00:00

I mean we don't have any purpose in life

Life has no meaning, unless you decide to give it one.

There's two main views to it, the way I see it. Both are valid, and you can follow both.

Exegi monumentum aere perennius. (I've erected a monument more lasting than bronze.)

It's about leaving something behind, be it progeny, some art, new knowledge. When you look from this perspective, Neil Strauss did something important by writing "The Game" and his work will surely outlast him. It's the bible of PUA and foundations of TRP. In a way, he influenced society and thus his ideas will live on in all of us. He did something to make sure humanity will evolve further, and in the direction he believes in it.

Chinese people think a lot like this. It's not about them, it's about the Country.

It's not about the destination, it's about the journey.

In the end, we'll all die. So why not just sit on the couch and wait? Hell, why not speed things up, put ourselves from misery? Life's a fickle thing and at the end, there's always death. But in the meantime, you could do some really nice, enjoyable things.

Travel and see new things. Love and make love. Help others. Try new things. Find a passion and become better at it.

Find a meaning.

TheStumblingWolf · 2016-06-10T10:26:46+00:00

1) I want to achieve the goals in my life

2) I'm sick and tired of not getting laid

VasiliyZaitzev · 2016-06-10T10:51:07+00:00

48 checking in with some wisdom. Everything we do is informed by the fact that that we will one day be no more. The clock is already ticking. Whatever it is you plan on doing, you need to set about doing it.

What will you do with your one and only life? Toil away making someone else rich? Come home to your hamplanet wife who gives you "pity sex" once a month, if you're lucky, while extracting resources from you like she was a lamprey? Raising the bastard spawn of some other man?

Or follow your own passion in the company of good friends and whilst enjoying the company of attractive, feminine women?

Work to live, don't live to work. I like to travel, so I dip in to CorporateLand to fund my adventures then I'm back on the road again--I am posting this from an arrivals lounge in a European capital where I will be meeting a pal of mine for a long weekend.

A buddy of mine summited Everest last month...that gives him 6 of the "7 peaks" which is evidently a thing among climbers. In every room he is in for the rest of his life, he will be The Guy Who Climbed Everest.

Whatever you choose to do, you should really be trying to maintain optimal control over how you spend your time, with at least some thought towards a soft landing in your later years.

N.B. you should search for Steve Jobs' commencement address at Stanford. It will help light a fire under your ass.

Snufek · 2016-06-10T13:07:05+00:00

I get what you're saying, kinda feel the same way. 19yo. For me my life is all I have. When I die it's game over and the thoughts I have in my mind while I'm dying... They are my goal. I want all those memories to fly before my eyes so I could say: 'Damn, this motherfucker had a great time down here.'

toothpickhd · 2016-06-10T13:23:33+00:00

That same thinking youre friend is using is the same thinking women use. On TRP we are aware that women want to bear the burden of a little responsibility as possible. "Girls just want to have fun". Youre friend is just lazy and using that as an excuse to do nothing. Every person that goes to the gym at first tells themselves they dont even like doing it so whats the point. The point is fulfillment. There is a difference between things making you happy and just being a happy person. Working towards things and accomplishing them provides you with a sense of fulfilment and confidence that cont compare to the short term joy of smoking weed and playing video games. Be a man, build relationships even if its hard to overcome social anxiety. Go to the gym even if its hard to lift those heavy ass weights. Put your time into something you are interested in and grow a business and make some cash, or further your practice. Pick some hobbies and crush them! Then in your spare time sit back relax and smoke some weed and game. Trust me. At first youll want to stop but its that push you have inside yourself that forced you to keep going that will allow you to be proud and happy with yourself. A sense of contentness will wash over you. Nothing will seem to bother you anymore. You do things for you, not for anyone else. Frame becomes impeccable. But if you cant even get off your ass and stop playing video games for a bit how do you expect to ever be successful in life.

Eyes_Of_The_Dragon · 2016-06-10T14:33:16+00:00

First off I have my kids. After they are grown I have a whole bunch of things I'd like to do before I die. I tried those while I was married but she blocked me at every opportunity so I will do them alone or whomever comes along for the ride.

dabrah1 · 2016-06-10T14:57:44+00:00

Ok true, we all die. So don't you want to make your time on earth as enjoyable as possible? If you make the right moves and hit 25 loking good, with a job aying at least 60k with upside potential life will be a lot easier than if you spend the nect 5 years playing video games and smoking weed, believe me. Set yourself up to make your time here as awesome as possible.

squidracer · 2016-06-10T15:24:41+00:00

You won't be young forever.. It's nice having good medical insurance, best quality food, and a comfortable living..

Plus getting high quality women in your 30s as a low status man isn't the same as dating idealistic teen girls.. No job and you may as well not even apply

thor_away92 · 2016-06-10T15:46:59+00:00

Build callous to labor. Understanding and accept that the work never stops. Give zero fucks that life is work. Enjoy it.

Enjoy it because you get to stomp on those around you.

In 4 years I will be making more money than my friends, twice as jacked, multiple attractive women in my life and I'll be doing whatever I damn well please living awesomely.

I got a goal to get to and I'm gonna feel like a damn King when I get there and keep going.

JackGetsIt · 2016-06-10T16:22:00+00:00

For starters you and your friends perspective will change drastically when you are kicked out of your parents home and have to provide for yourself. Try selling everything your parents bought you and buy a cheap car and try to go live in another state or country without government or parent assistance. The whole 'life purpose' picture changes pretty fast. Unless you're a trust fund baby you better find some purpose quick and work your ass off in your teens and twenty or your 30's and 40's will be about financial debt, stress, and survival. It's a damn good enough life goal to make enough money, be independent, and not be a burden on others around you. It's an even better life goal to have enough money to thrive and pursue other life goals like sitting around and 'philosophizing' about life goals.

All that aside I'm personally in the camp that there are no purposes we are here for. It's my observation that we are simple carbon based lifeforms, rapidly infesting a rock in a big universe. A few generations after you die you will be forgotten for eternity. Which means you are charged with giving life meaning and purpose if that's something you're into.

SovereignWings · 2016-06-10T16:36:35+00:00

This is a question of Ambition & Will.

The people who really have life figured out don't draw much distinction between work, love and play. They do what they love passionately and relentlessly.

In this life you will reap what you sow. Plan ahead, invest strategically, be disciplined and consistent and you will reach your goals and create value. Fail to do these things and all you end up as is a walking bag of wants and desires that will generally be unfulfilled because you are not do I ng what it takes to achieve those desires.

So if you truly have no desire or Ambition to reach higher goals, and you aren't secretly lying to yourself and hating yourself for not trying harder or doing more, great! Enjoy the life you have.

If you have goals and ambitions that are unmet, but aren't doing enough to achieve them, then you have a problem. You need to grow your willpower and do more to self-actualize.

IVIaskerade · 2016-06-10T18:56:49+00:00

we don't have any purpose in life

You don't have any purpose. Don't include me in that weak shit.

AlphaEndoGorillaKing · 2016-06-10T19:14:02+00:00

The biggest mistake i made at 18-19 was thinking i needed to have my entire fucking life planned in terms of schooling, career ect. You don't need that right now bro, you need to focus on the present and get started, make the best of what you have now and goals will fall into place.

A benefit of working your ass off is that A) you will beat out the competition and B) You will be happier and more fulfilled, but don't forget to have fun too!

My Big goal right now is to become an Alpha by the time i'm 25, their are smaller goals beneath that, but that goal is what keeps me moving forward. A bigger, more abstract goal is easier to come up with, there's a reason you're here asking this question, something inside you wants more.

pinstrap · 2016-06-10T11:54:20+00:00

Man I'm 18 and just started my first full time job. I feel a lot like you do... Lost and confused. I don't think we're supposed to have it a figured out at this age man.

Title	Why do you keep going ?
Author	Shamlei
Upvotes	13
Comments	36
Date	June 10, 2016 8:02 AM UTC (10 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/4nfb7g/why_do_you_keep_going/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/why-do-you-keep-going.106709 https://theredarchive.com/post/106709

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