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“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
This phrase is on a poster down the hall from where I am sitting right now. I am at Richland College, the community college in Dallas from which I earned my associates degree and transferred to UTD. I still come here to blog, network, plan my life, do homework for my UTD classes, and other big dream-related stuff. I love the new Sabine Hall building; it’s big, open and airy, and has a beautiful sundrenched terrace with covered tables looking over a walkway between two other buildings. I can just park myself at a table and spend an afternoon working (like I am now). But back to the poster.
I see this poster on a science faculty member’s office door every time I walk down the hall to my regular spot. I don’t know if I’ve ever encountered a better, more universally applicable piece of advice. Its straightforwardness is both alarming and refreshing at once. The simplicity of it catches and holds my attention, and inspires me.
Here are the 2 things I want out of life in the next 5 years, at a basic level:
- Complete location independence in my work.
- Freedom from any and all financial debt, forever.
Here is where I currently am:
- Complete location dependence in my work.
- A fairly heavy amount of debt compared to my income.
I have a very long way to go in 5 years, but I am not going to get there any other way than by following this advice. Want to lose some weight? Follow the poster. Want to change careers? Follow the poster.
2 months ago I decided I am sick of waiting for conditions to improve. I am tired of waiting for money to magically appear, or a location-independent writing job to come down the pipe. There is no reason to not begin preparing today for the life you want to live.
And with that, I think I know what How to Not Screw Up Your Life is all about. It is about designing your life the way you want it, and learning how to take at least one step every day toward execution of your plan. That will be my focus from here on out.
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Comments
05.24.10
Thank you for this entry - it's one of the many pushes I need to do what I want with my life.
:)
05.24.10
@Robin: You're welcome! I have to admit it was more for me than for anyone else, and I did not expect this particular post to be featured. But I'm glad it inspired you! Thanks!
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