What the Duck Are You Waiting For

When I first left college I didn't know what I wanted to be

All I knew was I wanted lots and lots (and lots) of money because money is >= happiness (that's how the old saying goes isn't it?)

During my second job I missed out on the first round of promotion. I was gutted, even though I knew I wasn't really doing well I was still gutted

When the next chance of a promotion came around and I got it, the feeling was indescribable

By god I had lost sleep, hair and probably years off of my life from stress but let me tell you it was worth it! I was finally someone who people wanted to work with rather than someone who people avoided working with

I wanted to show off my new promotion like a shiny new gold star on my forehead ⭐

One year later when I got my second promotion things had drastically changed

I remember getting the news that I had secured another promotion, except this time I didn't have that feeling of happiness or pride, instead I felt empty and almost guilty for receiving all of this money and felt like I wasn't deserving it 

I actually remember being pretty upset by my reaction and wondering why I didn't feel the way I did the first time

The Law of Diminishing Returns

I had read something before about a point of diminishing returns with money 

The person who jumps from a 20k raise to a 30k raise is over the moon because this will substantially change their life

However the person who goes from 1million to 2million doesn't really care because it doesn't really impact them or therefore make them a whole lot happier. And it gets to a certain point where the more money and stuff you get you just plateau or just become unhappier 

Everyone has a different threshold for where their point of diminishing returns hits. A lot of people chase this point into their 40s, 50s or maybe never even reach there

I am lucky to say I had hit mine at the age of 26! 

I had attained my goal of earning lots of money by my standard, which in turn provided profound evidence that I was aiming for the wrong thing all along! 

"Is She For Real?"

I know what you might be thinking "is your one really blowing on about making too much money?"

This blog isn't to disrespect money. It's to highlight the shift in my relationship with money and the perspective I have around the value and importance of it in my life

Don't get me wrong, we need money to survive. I'm not saying that people shouldn't earn money, have possessions or go on holidays, because all of these things make life more enjoyable! 

But maybe it's just about recognizing that money isn't the only important thing in our lives

Money is a renewable resource - time isn't!

Chasing the Wrong Thing

I didn't understand what was happening - what about the age old saying money is greater than or equal to happiness? 

I thought it was as bulletproof as Pythagoras' theorem

What about the supposedly high correlation between the amount of happiness and the amount of zeros one has in their bank account. Why was my graph not going up?

I had reached the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to realise it wasn't filled with happiness and a feeling of achievement but quite the opposite

Something was amiss

(P.S. This isn't to say everyone will have this experience, for some people money can represent different things. I also do realise how privileged I am to have worked in industry which could bring me to that point, and realise a lot of people don’t get that opportunity!

These blogs are just my own thoughts and I don't intend on everyone feeling the same way and understand people come from so many different backgrounds but just sharing my experiences in case something does resonate with someone)

Gaining More Evidence

People say travelling opens the mind and I couldn't agree more (I hate the way clichés are very often so true 😅)

I never had even one regret of taking the plunge, but the people I met and the following stories reconfirmed that I had 120% made the right decision

It also highlighted to me the importance of doing whatever the f*** it is you want today! Not putting it off until tomorrow, next month or next year but to start today!

- I met one friend who told me his friends' Dad had spent his whole life working and grinding to save his pension until his "Golden years" only to be met with an aggressive Cancer early into his retirement, and sadly passing away a few months after

- Another lady I met who worked as a nurse in an old folks home said she saw so many people dying with thousands or millions in their accounts and for what? Not like they can buy some flashy cars or clothes where ever the after party takes place 

- I met another German lady who was 45 and it was her first time backpacking and while fair play for getting out and doing it, feck that! I was struggling energy wise as a 27 year old, I couldn't imagine doing all of that for the first time in 20 years!

Life Is Short

We spend so much of our healthier and more active years working for money and by the time we get to the "Golden Years" all we're up for is walks in the park and heading to cafe's for tea and a scone (although doesn't sound too shabby does it 😋)

It doesn't have to be as drastic as going into work tomorrow and quitting your job because I know that's not an easy thing to do

We are conditioned and taught to look for security, safety and comfort. We aren't encouraged to take risks, and get out of the comfort zone

In the Words of Moloko "The Time Is Now"

I do appreciate there are some times when we are dealing with things in our personal lives, or don't have enough saved up and it may not be possible to right at this moment to take the plunge. I definitely had that period for a while and if you are there right now, just remember you won't be there forever and maybe you can still begin to plan, budget or research! 

But on the other hand if you are reading this and if you are in that right place but just need a little push - here is your little push 😊

Leaving my job definitely wasn't an easy decision, it was a process

But maybe you can start that process of whatever it is you want to achieve or do today!

Take the first baby step, it doesn't have to be all guns blazing but stop putting off whatever it is you want to do 

Start small but Dream Big 💭😄

As a Gentle Reminder - Life Is Short! 

Steven Bartlett said before "we have approximately 500,000 hours in our lives" and maybe some people will have less!

How are you going to use them? What the Duck Are You Waiting For? 😊