Beginner's Mind

My work life slowed down even more than expected because a customer didn't sign up for a new project, which significantly freed up my schedule. After initial frustration, I thought this would be a unique opportunity to enjoy life even more.

I went for runs at the beach in the morning, ate tons of pizza, pasta and ice cream and enjoyed gallons of homemade red wine while getting tanned.

After a few weeks, I got bored. I thought something was missing. I wondered if this was normal. After all, I'm living a great life and have nothing to complain about. Later I figured that was precisely the reason for my boredom.

The lack of challenge.
The lack of creating something.
The lack of being valuable to others.

Now, this is quite a statement, but I found it to be true. However, it does not mean you shouldn't take breaks and slow down from time to time. I'm not advocating 80-hour work weeks here. Everyone has a different work-life balance.

I believe we humans have the intrinsic motivation to get better regardless of what it is. It equally applies to Olympic athletes and to amateurs. They simply operate on different levels.

On the podcast Modern Wisdom, I heard a line that resonated with me. A barber lost his job because of Covid and started stocking shelves in a supermarket. When asked about the new job, he said: "I don't actually mind the work, but I miss being good at something."

This struck me.

Don't we all want to be good at something? Being a good spouse, a good son/ daughter, a good citizen, a good friend, and a good colleague,... so we ultimately feel good about ourselves when we look in the mirror?

Being hungry for new challenges and curious about the unknown can be a curse and a blessing. A curse because there is no finish line, a blessing because all progress relies on people thriving for more.

We typically get asked from a young age what we want to become later. I think this question isn't the best.

Instead, I'd ask my children later what they want to be good at.

If you are good at something, chances are you work on it continuously (and do not consider it work)

If you work on it continuously, chances are you get good at it.

If you are good at something, chances are you can help others (and make a living from it)

If you help others, chances are you find it meaningful.

If you find it meaningful, chances are you'll be happy.

Happiness is not a goal in itself. It's a byproduct of relationships, purpose and struggle.

But again: You do you!

However, having a family doesn't stop me from developing further.

So what is it that you want to get better at?