Follow this Process & I Guarantee You’ll Do Work That Lights You on Fire

Follow this Process & I Guarantee You’ll Do Work That Lights You on Fire

Lifelong Learning

 

“Change is the end result of all true learning.”

~Leo Buscaglia

I can guarantee you find your passion. I can guarantee you do work you love.

Don’t believe me? Then you probably aren’t ready to work your ass off.

If you are, then read on.

When I tell people I write and coach on how to find work you love, so many of them scream back “I need your help!”

I calmly respond with a question: “well have you read any of the 100+ books out there on purpose and passion?”

I proceed to hear pins drop.

It’s not that complicated…

In the past 8 years I’ve tested just about everything under sun when it comes to finding my passion and doing work I actually give a sh*t about. I now spend close to 100% of my working hours doing things I love. I am grateful, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence.

Getting here wasn’t easy and it wasn’t fast. There’ve been plenty of late nights (and there still are), but it’s been a ton of fun.

And one thing’s for sure. The fact that I’m doing what lights me on fire right now, does not by any means mean it will be the same thing ten years from now. That’s the best part! I almost guarantee it won’t. At least not exactly the same.

As long as you are currently spending your time doing what you believe you are best at and you are meant to do, that’s a life well lived.

That’s fulfillment.

Every better yet, that’s excitement!

Literally I think I’ve tried everything. Some include:

  • Starting businesses
  • Traveling the world
  • Getting to know people in all walks of life
  • Hiring a coach
  • Being a coach
  • Taking negotiation seminars
  • Attending Tony Robbins events
  • Reading books- a lot of books. Mainly personal development.
  • Doing workbooks
  • Taking personality tests
  • Taking personal strengths test
  • Attempting at first seemingly impossible fitness challenges
  • Meeting entrepreneurs
  • Working for companies with 10,000+ employees
  • Working for companies with 12 employees
  • Working for companies with 1 employee
  • Writing blog articles, stories, ideas, journals
  • Taking univeristy courses

I could go on. Hopefully you get the point. More on my experiments here (bottom half of page).

In all this there is a common thread. There is one thing that will ensure you the very best chance at finding what you love to do and actually living it.

You ready for it?

…Learn.

That’s it.

Become obsessed with learning. Learn to love it. Do it every day in some way. One day it might be reading or watching a TED talk, listening to a podcast, having lunch with a new person, interviewing a business owner or sitting down and being completely still for 30 minutes.

Learn about yourself in every way possible. Test what you’re capable of physically (you think you can’t do a marathon–then sign up for one). Do the impossible. Test how you process information. Do a strengths finder test. Do the the What Color Is Your Parachute Workbook. Myers Briggs. Johnson O’Connor Aptitude. Do it all!

Then actually make something with what you learn.

The process is ridiculously simple:

Step 1: Learn

Step 2: Experiment

Step 3: Repeat

Step 4: Do what you love

Step 5: When restless, Repeat

The more you know about yourself, the more you will know what lights you on fire.

Most people don’t get to know themselves because it takes a lot of work and it can be scary. It can be terrifying to think you actually are in control of being able to discover and spend time on what you love.

But you do have the control. We all do. No one can stop us from understanding who we are, what we are amazing at and what keeps us from sleeping at night. And once we are congruent with this, there is very little chance of stopping someone from getting out and finding a way to apply it to the world.

But if you have no idea what you want or what you’re good at, then why would you ever want to work hard for it? You wouldn’t.

It all starts with learning!

I watch a TED talk most mornings on the bus to work. I read a few pages of an interesting book most nights. I share meals with big thinkers every week (and my therapeutic wife every night!). I write new ideas in my journal almost daily. It’s become a way of life.

Ideas exist in learning.

I get at least a dozen ideas every time I pick up a book (you should see the scribbles in my margins), watch a video or spend a few hours with someone who inspires me.

If you hate reading, then do something about it. Take a speed reading class (that’s what I did and I liked it so much that now I started teaching them on the occasional weekend). Subscribe to Philosopher’s Notes (CliffsNotes for personal development). Pick a few inspiring blogs and follow them.

The best part is you make up the curriculum!

Your path is waiting…

The education is out there and it’s everywhere. You just have to choose to do something with it.

There are no more excuses.

Make it a daily practice.

Take it all in.

Start building something that actually matters – to you and the world.

“Commit yourself to lifelong learning. The most valuable asset you’ll ever have is your mind and what you put into it.

~Brian Tracy

What do you do to constantly learn about yourself? What’s been your best education? Share your #1 resource in the comments. Let me know how I can help!

Anyone going to Omaha this weekend?

I’ll be out in Omaha for Warren Buffett’s Annual Meeting – one of our favorite weekends of the year! Leave a comment if you’re going. I’d love to connect. Expect a post on big lessons from the weekend coming soon!

Image courtesty of country_boy_shane