This month I finished reading "The Art of Focus" by Dan Koe. There were two quotes that were quite blunt but really resonated with me. It describes exactly how I had been feeling for a long time prior to rekindling my connection with creativity.
“If you don’t know what you want, you will be told what you want, and you will believe it. If you don’t create a purpose, you will be assigned one. If you don’t create a career, you will be assigned one. If you don’t create a hierarchy of goals to invest your mental energy in, you will be assigned one, like climbing a corporate, religious, or status ladder just to realize you’ve wasted 80% of your life.”
and
"You feel terrible because your subconscious knows that you could be doing better."
Many of us navigate life influenced by our external environment and the people in it. We form our beliefs based on what we've been told is best for us and despite good intentions it ultimately leads us to pursue a life we're convinced we desire.
The Art of Focus is a reminder for us to step back and ask ourselves if we want to continue down the beaten path or venture along the road less travelled. Reflection is a powerful tool and enables us to look within, inquire and better understand ourselves. Reflective questions such as "if money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your life?" and "what do you love doing that also helps others?" are great questions to start with. Our childhood holds a lot of clues as to what our hearts truly desire as well. What did you love to do as a child?
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