Saturday, November 14, 2009

Busy or don't know what to do

I once came across a quote in a shopping mall that said 'those who don't know how to enjoy life have not discovered shopping'. While the intention is to encourage spending, I think there is an alternative meaning to it. We keep doing the same thing because that was the only way we know so far.

I spoke to many people especially the successful ones and I see some common traits of these highly effective people:
  1. I like to keep myself busy
  2. By the 3rd day of my holiday, I find life too slow
  3. I have dreams of what I want to do with my life, but my schedule is just too tight

Sounds familiar? Read on...

Would it be that we keep ourselves busy not because we want it but because we just don't know what to do with life. And since we don't what to do, then may be it is better to keep ourselves busy or to be more specific, let others or our jobs keep ourselves busy. If we know so well what we want to do with life, then how can a person be bored after 3rd day of holiday.

A little acid test to our achievements in life. List down some of your big achievements in your work and personal life. Grow sales despite economic slowdown, contain budget, bought a new house with high potential return, goes to the gym 4 times a week consistently...remember this feeling you are having now as you list down.

Now, imagine you have a colleague who is diagnosed for 4th stage liver cancer. You visit him and he tells you about his achievements which so happens to be the ones I listed above or those that you have in your mind. Do you still find the achievements very relevant in his context? Well, yes or no, you decide but one thing for sure...that guy can be you. If you find that your achievements like growing sales and market shares are less relevant, then better think again.