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Megan Berry is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Megan Berry and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Haven’t you heard? It’s Big Picture Day. Today you are not allowed to think about the 74 unread emails in your inbox, the fact that you only have two clean pairs of socks left, or any everyday tasks. Today you should discover the meaning of life, rethink your career path, or come up with a new business idea.
Okay, so clearly I’ve made this day up, but isn’t it a good idea? I was tallying my mental to-do list yesterday and realized that somewhere in that list was: 42) discover the meaning of life. In a typical day I rarely get past my top 10 to do list items, so I haven’t gotten there yet, but, sometimes I have to leave aside the “high-priority” items like that research paper, and instead take a step back to look where I’m going.
If you’d prefer you advice from someone with a bit more philosophical cred, then I have the perfect quote for you:
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
-Socrates
Oftentimes we blindly pursue our goals and don’t take the time to question them. We think we need to be successful by making lots of money or fulfilling our parents’ expectations. We’re so busy climbing our ladder to success that we don’t stop to think about whether we’ll like the top of the ladder when we get there.
Good point, I believe in pursuing happiness above all else.
A well paying job is a means to an end. It will allow me to save up and travel like I always wanted to.
Buy my dream home and have a better quality of life.
Most people just want the status, but I want to be happy :)
Great post.
Hey Megan-
Thank you for being a catalyst for this kind of thinking. I appreciate the "breath of fresh air", so to speak.
I also wonder what kinds of things provoke others to stop in their well-ingrained tracks and consider the big picture. What experiences lead us to reconsider life? How do we line ourselves up for more "life-changing" events?
My hunch is that thought alone cannot get us to see things in a new way. Instead, I feel that interaction, adventure, failure, getting-out-of-the-comfort zone--these are the necessary pre-requisites for being able to "think big." If nothing else, we need some canvas to begin to paint our new ideas on, and that can only be present if we have a glimpse of what new life looks like.
I love where your head is at and I am simply using this comment to think through the Big Picture Day with you. I hope you won't mind these editions/additions to your thoughts-
Andrew
Taking a step back and putting things into perspective is always good advice. We may never discover the 'meaning of life' but clearing our minds and looking at the big picture of who we are, where we are, and where we want to be is always good practice.
You make a good point. I think people, myself included, get so wrapped up in everyday life and with seemingly meaningless worries that they forgot about the big picture. It's important to relax, breathe, and take a step back and enjoy the scenery otherwise life will pass you by before you know it.
Great post - thanks for making us all stop and think for at least a minute.
Great post I am so there with you guys on this post.
It is so refreshing to see people thinking outside the box.
A wonderful article to remind us all to jump off the Merry Go Round every now and then in order to spend quality time with our own thoughts...Personally, I don't know how people are getting through these tough times without knowing -- or at least pondering -- their 'meaning of life' answer.
I can only speak from personal experience (especially after interviewing hundreds of folks for their 'meaning' answer), it wasn't until I took the time to define, craft, mold my own 'meaning' answer that I was able to move forward from getting "set free" (laid off) from my job.
But with that first step, the Heavens opened...and an amazing journey began!
Thanks again for your post.
take care,
Louise Lewis, author
No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You!
FREE (no strings) download at: www.noexpertsneeded dot com
You already know the answer to life, the universe and everything: It's 42! I told you, you weren't going to like it! :)
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