We all live a busy life. 

And often not the most inspirational day or the most engaging.

So many people are disengaged, which is very sad indeed.

Why?

Because some idiot told us to follow our passions, but that is always easier said than done.

Remember that sh*t, ‘follow your passion’, do what you love or it is not worth it, follow your dreams, and receive everything your heart desires.’

Blah blah blah. All very aspirational or inspirational – you chose.

The thing is, I believe it. I honestly do believe it. 

We should follow our dreams and our passions. What else is there to do.

The alternative is not even worth contemplating.

But there is a flaw in chasing that picture of greatness.

It takes time, energy and focus. By the end of the day, you are burst, all of life’s energy gone from you, and Netflix looks so much more appealing.

You tell yourself that all your dreams and desires are right there in front of you, on Netflix. Also, next to you, in that big bag of crisps, the bar of chocolate, are all of your passions. Right there and then, ready to be consumed.

Then sleep. Rinse and repeat.

It can get hectic a lot of the time during the day and then at night when we have the opportunity to do something to course-correct the trajectory that we are on. We get distracted.

Things slip past us as we fall zombie-like into a trance state of doing, done, repeat. We don’t take the time out until our body tells us.

We avoid the obvious and then opt into the comfortable life of content consumption.

That is me in a nutshell. That is all of us. We are all Sparticus.

I fight it every day. Warrior-like in my approach and disciplines, but it is a constant struggle. Some days I win. Some days I get my backside handed to me on a plate with a side salad and a free side of french fries.

I would love just to sit my fat ass down and do nought.

But I don’t. I build out my habits and avoid all temptation.

Then when I chose, I turn on Netflix for some monitored consumption.

That time on Netflix is positioned as a couple of hours of chill. Accounted for and bought and paid for by the sweat during the other hours of investment.

I am trying to be that person who is balancing productivity and life.

It is a constant study of days.

I am continually looking for the answers to get the most out of the day, and there is no right or wrong.

“There is only do.”

What resonates with most people when I am discussing self-improvement, study, research, and a desire to get into something more than your current situation is the need to avoid going home quickly. Do not go to that lovely warm place, not right away. Defer.

Do not go straight home. Stop at a local coffee shop or a quiet wee bar or cafe. Take out your tech of choice and go to work on yourself.

‘Take the time to smell the coffee and the green grass of self-improvement because the grass can be greener on the other side if you chose the side carefully.’

You can put in one hour of YOU TIME, and that soon mounts up into something credible. You want to learn something, do that. Get the knowledge and, in some cases, the certificate to boot.

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.”

Henry David Thoreau

Five hours a week can amount to something. You can amount to something. Small steps at a time and you can get to where you’re going. Your passions can be awakened and your dreams achieved, but you have to take the time to put in some effort.

Your mind will tell you to go straight home. It is dark, cold, wet or whatever. Don’t listen to yourself. Tell yourself you are doing it. Be your own boss. 

Take control, boss.

I know that is not all that easy, and we all work at different times of the day etc… but don’t make an excuse. Find the particular hour that suits you, and don’t hold yourself back. Other people will hold you back good enough, so don’t f*cking hold yourself back as well. 

Be kind to yourself. Take the time that you need. 

You deserve it.

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