Life’s Faster Than Usain Bolt
Woke up this morning reflecting on how much time has passed in what seems like such a short amount of time.
I’m sure that sentence makes sense to those who have kids. Though, if you don’t have kids it’s kinda analogous to car maintenance. No matter how long it’s been, it always feels like you just had an oil change or just purchased tires not too long ago. It’s interesting because we can’t slow down time and we seem to be unable to keep up with it. When Life catches it’s stride and starts to run, all we can do is catch a ride, hold on, and take in the scenery.
The other day a very vivid memory from 2 years ago traveled to the front of my brain. Sometimes we’d give anything to live in an old moment again no matter how troubling those times may have been. The uncertainty of life is what causes the illusion of it’s fast pace. As kids, life moved so slowly because it was more structured, we knew what to expect daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly for the most part. As an adult, the uncertainty of life causes us stress and we tend to look forward to the next moment that will lessen the load. My mother always told me that “you’ll miss out on life if you’re always looking forward to Christmas or your Birthday” and that is a fact of life as an adult. As a kid I couldn’t understand it because every day felt painfully long since I was not old enough to understand the value of time.
Where’s Life Taking You?
My level of uncertainty has increased exponentially in a short period of time. The year has just started and my plate seems to be full already. Generally I am grateful because my plate is full of opportunities that do not come around often, but to be honest this has also resulted in additional stress. I am thankful for a friend who reminded me that “success has never been conveinent”. That is honestly the truth and it is a great way to look at the chapter that I am entering into.
I read (listened) to the Atomic Habits book last year as I spent my CIEL AMBRE’s in the gym. I took away what most people takeaway from that book, the 1% daily rule. I woke up at 5am and would head to the gym to start my day each day, literally for the most part. For the first 4 months of the year, I checked into the gym 103 times and I made tons of progress towards a healthier life. Then my plate filled up and I had to adjust. Things pilled up and I needed to reallocate time to manage important career related things. My time in the gym decreased to almost no time in the gym but I found a way to incorporate walking and actually found it to be a more efficient method of staying in shape. I also successfully handeled all of the career and family necessities without issue. Everything was great and I could feel myself improving daily for the first 7 months of the year, but then I hit a wall called vacation.
I took a well deserved vacation at the end of July, and then again in September, and then again in November. Throughout the final 5 months of the year I was still very productive but not to the standards that I had set during the first half of the year. I didn’t burn out, vacation just caused me to refocus on what’s most important, family and life. Spending time at the beach has a way of reminding you of the beauty of life and how to slow down and take it in. I initially thought this ended my 1% better daily streak, but in retrospect it didn’t, I got better mentally and my mindset was reset.
Those vacations were pivotal in preparation for this next phase of hustle in my life and as I am back on my 5 am daily wake up schedule again, this year I combine walking with work, school, and building a business. Each of these facets is requiring much more of me than I initially planned for this year but my mind is ready and I am ready for the inconvenience of success.
Life moves fast, but don’t be afraid to take a break from the chase and take in the scenery. Your mind, body, and family will thank you for it.