Stop walking in circles

Stop whatever you are doing now. And reflect on what you have done so far in your day; what you have done for the past 5 1/2 mths; what you have learnt since the day you started working; what have you learnt since you started going to school.

Now think of the person you want to become. the ideal job you want. the house you want to stay in. the car you want to drive. the places you want to visit. the things you want to buy. the food you want to eat. the people you want to be with.

Lastly look in the mirror and think about the person you are looking at.

I can just imagine you not doing it. haha

the above is just an exercise I like to do - reflection. And after alot of recent reflection and advice from people, i have come to a conclusion. there is no worse thing than getting lost and walking in circles.

After reflection, I always find myself alot of unanswered questions. Like why cant I go overseas to travel now? Why do I have to wait 2 years for promotion? Why I can’t spend on things I want and have to compromise on cheaper alternatives? Why can’t I eat sushi everyday? Why can i give my parents more money and let them retire soon?

I don’t think my age is the answer to these questions. Being 23 doesn’t mean I don’t have the ability nor the experience. I feel age is more often used as an excuse to justify our inabilities. Shouldn’t the younger we are, the more energy and drive we have? Why do we always procrastinate until the very last minute, until we are forced to grow up then we grow up? Where is that sense of urgency?

I feel lost is the answer for the unanswered questions I have. I know there is alot of wants I have (e.g. travelling), but my shoulds (work) and abilities (not enough moolah) restricts me. It is the see saw, my wants are in the air, my reality is at the bottom. No balance.

So stop to think I did. To re-align my targets to get the things I want. Having a job is not the only way to earn money. It’s about having the ability to earn money. A job doesn’t justify our ability. A job is about doing what you are told and paid to do.

I see my friends fresh out of uni, eager to learn at their work, after a year or so, find work to be mundane and console themselves with frequent overseas trips for holidays and branded goods with the salary they earn. Such cycle continue as they move up the corporate ladder, progress in their lives. They get married, start a family, realize they have house loans, car loans, insurance, kids’ healthcare, education, food to pay for. Suddenly their salaries seems just enough to cover all the above, leaving nothing for them to enjoy. Seems they enjoyed all they could in the youth, then they feel jaded after all the responsibilites and commitments fall on them. That’s the time they seek another way out than the job. That’s the time when they invest in shares, invest in some business with friends, buy property (with whatever little money they have) and start planning for their future (meaning their 50s and later)

The above is just the future I perceive as a regular person. Is the above life I described the future you are planning to have?

Word of caution. Will your job be there forever? Will the same salary you getting now the same as you are getting in 10 years? If more, will it sustain your then-lifestyle? If you don’t know, you should be very afraid because it seems like you are lost.

What happen to enjoying life then? Play in your 20s, suffer for your remaining adult life? Or work hard and play hard in your 20s and enjoy for the remaining adult life? You decide.