I saw this video on Facebook over the holidays and it really got me thinking about what, if anything, we do anymore just for the joy of it. If you’ve got six minutes, it’s worth watching, then come back here and read the rest of my post. If you don’t have the extra few minutes right now, that’s ok. Just scroll down and read the rest of the post.
Stop Listening To The World
What struck me most about this story is that the hero of the story (the mom) wasn’t trying to go viral or create an internet sensation or start the next big thing. She just wanted to share something wonderful and pure with her daughter.
The world will tell you that you need to make your mark, start a business, or invent the next pet rock (or Beanie Baby or Google or Tesla electric car). You have to “hustle” and fight your way to the top. You have to pursue “greatness” or life is simply not all it can be.
One thing I’ve learned in the last couple of years is that when you get caught up trying to “make it big” you often stop doing the things you love to do just for the joy of doing them. You no longer pursue what expresses who you are and what you love, and instead you end up chasing what will make you the most money, or get the most likes, or build the biggest following.
I’m not against success or even fame and fortune, but I’ve learned those things make much better byproducts than goals.
Now is the time of year when we all think the most about the future. We make plans for the coming year, set goals, and make our resolutions. As you ponder your immediate future, I have just one question for you:
What will you do, participate in, or create in 2016 just for the joy of it?
Drop a comment below. I’m dying to hear your story!
Me? I’ve recently fallen in love with home roasting coffee. To do it well requires a little bit of knowledge and a whole lot of focus and patience. It’s an activity that I completely lose myself in. Plus, there is absolutely no way I can make money at it (nor do I want to), get famous for it, or have any success other than an amazingly delicious cup of coffee. And I’m perfectly happy with that. In fact, as a capitalist entrepreneur, it’s good for me to lose myself in something other than business.