The Trilemma Of Life

Years ago I came across the following lines:

For years I believed in this theory. I lived by it. I was absolutely sure that for me there is no other way to live life. 

But I am literally tired of it. Feeling horrible after 3 hours of sleep, drinking coffee and coke/xyz just to stay on track, spending entire weekend days sleeping...

So I started questioning. 

Sounds fantastic?

Here is my idea to get this done: 

A closing thought:

Your m - now going to bed.

<Dreams or Safety>

(According to this insanely wise blackboard the master himself summed life up in a bit less than 5 lines.)

Unfortunately: as your dreams/... cannot be something you are able to reach easily or routinely (if it was you would never consider it a dream. You’d rather call it normality...), the movement towards those desirable achievements ALWAYS comes with risk and uncertainty.

Fact: Your growth cannot happen inside your comfort zone! That’s simply against its nature!

Both directions can appear to be right/superior/appealing at times. But whatever you decide, keep one thing in mind:

you can just go in one way or the other - as Abraham said:

Light Switches & Life

Intro: 

When it comes to new, big life projects (a new job, starting a business or a family, moving to a different county, etc.) many of us tend to... wait, doubt, rethink and reevaluate - in one word: we HESITATE. Sometimes for years.

We believe that just because we’re not able to see the entire picture we’re not ready yet. Just because we can’t tell what the future holds we’re not “worthy” to seeking it.

Instead, we keep asking/hoping/wishing/waiting for a plan, a playbook, a blueprint or a hack that assures eventual success.

The Phenomenon: 

Imagine entering a dark room (= the endeavor you would like to pursue in the future) in your cellar for example. Before you set the first step into that room you are reaching for that tiny switch in order to flood the entire space with light.  That is what we all are reaching for - that switch that brings light and safety + the ability to see all upcoming obstacles. 

You will never find that switch.  BUT: you can use a flashlight (= your skills, know-how and common sense). 

Why hoping for a switch such a problem? 

But if all of this is not convincing you yet, (I see you’re that doubter type obviously) - you might wanna listen to J.P.:

Many of us... including me. Now finally making use of that flashlight!

Your m

The Many Faces Of Success

This is an important one: 

In fact, it comes in strange, weird forms and shapes - you just need to be open and recognize it. 

Here are some truly successful moments from my life - so far:

What I am trying to express:  “Success” can have so many meanings and appears in so many different contexts. Money, power, cars, corner offices, followers and fame, ... are just a few possible expressions - highly over-represented, highly overrated. 

So how do open up for all those other forms? 

Why not create a list yourself - as a starting point?! Here are just a few examples of contexts in order to inspire your version of my little list above: 

You m 

I read this years ago somewhere & have let it guide me through life ever since. 

This is a 100% true - for a 100% of life.

Side effect: This can serve you great in the moment of doubt. Whatever you are going through or pursuing right now - when things get tough, ask yourself who you will become by sticking to it.

May this concept work for you as it did & does for me!

Your m

Why Talents are Tools

Two quotes by two very different men (each a force in his field), one unanimous message:

- by Jeff Bezos to his children

- by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore from Harry Potter

My two cents condensed in a conclusion:

Talents like intellect, creativity or courage are gifts - they’re given to you. Noting but the tools and instruments you were initially equipped with...

Yet: what you make out of it, what roads you choose to take and which not, what goals you pursue, what to invest in and what to avoid or neglect - that is what defines your life and your person. 

Your m

American proverb

We all develop shells - as humans, as businesses, as professionals, ... for protection and to deal with the circumstances life throws at us. (I get that and can see the upside here.) 

Yet:

Therefore: 

Dare to ask for advice or a second opinion. Get yourself external input from someone you trust (mentor, advisor, friend, etc.). Listen to feedback and suggestions. Accept not knowing it all. ...

Be aware and open in order to spot a grain when you come about it...

By the way: it is nothing but the salty sea surrounding that shell that makes all the taste - just like the environment forms/influences a person or a business.

Best of luck. 

Your m

a different way of looking at it & another reason to make the BEST of the short period between two first coffees. 

Your m

Very much resonates with what I think & feel. 

It seems to be as tragic as it is true: you got to lose something to realize what it means to you and how the 🌍 (= your life) would be without it. Seems to apply to goods and people (often 💛 ones) as well as to immaterial “things” like freedom, trust, happiness and health…

A basic example: you HAVE to be injured, hurt or ill to realize the true value of health. You cannot be grateful, no matter how often you stress to be. It doesn’t work that way!

“True emotions are moments - everything else is neurotic” - as my father always says. Certainly true for this type of emotions. 

Best of luck and all the luck in the 🌍 Your m

Discussed this with a bunch of smart people, tested it myself, asked clients and high achievers… this turns out to be true on many levels and in many industries.

The baseline:

The idea:

The benefit:

Sharing can be a sales strategy, a trust-building method and a customer communications tool - all at once, for free.

Give it a shot: blog, post, share your information or simply answer the next time you’re asked for advice in the best way you can. Chances are about 98% that you will not regret it!

Your m

Wise words found on the web

100% true for millions of employees, citizens, wives & husbands, ... 

Many people brag about the status quo but are doing everything they can to maintain it - at the same time. 

Absurd and contradictory but reality. 

Your m

the web

Key question: Why do we even care?

Your m

First of all: I truly believe that wealth actually means having the chance of doing what you love (potentially whenever you want). We all dream about this in one way or the other... knowing that you can get back money, but not time...

Although we all understand that you can buy one with the other - people still value money over time. Getting monetary rich over becoming wealthy... #Idontgetit

Your m

very smart fortune cookie from a recent lunch

Another pretty philosophical post again: 

Beyond everything else, two things matter in life: the time you have left and the direction you’re going (= what life you are going to pursue, what are you shooting for or chasing after)

Now here’s the interesting thing about this: you cannot know how many days you got left - none of us does - BUT we can decide on the direction we take.

Yet, who does?!

I mean I know, life keeps you busy, that’s for sure …but someday your time will be up and you’ll look back seeing your trace being full of turns, random curves and dead ends, taking you here and there… 

My point in short:

Yes, it is hard to find that goal and to decide within a million options, but NO ONE is going to do it for you and it won’t hit you while watching Netflix either!

I believe in these famous lines:

Yet, thinking about (step 1), deciding on (step 2) and keeping in mind where you’re heading (step 3) is where it all begins for every master or captain!

Best of luck finding your direction!

Your m

Short & simple. Trivial but true.

Your m

I have to remind myself on this once in while...

Don’t be so busy that you forget to live your life, my friend!

Your m