If you woke up today sad, mopey, convinced the world is going to end… Get over it. Life goes on and this country is what you make of it. Just like life is what you make of it.
You want things to change? Start your bid for the next election cycle. Run for local office, start meeting the right people, find out about the issues that actually matter to people. Don’t want to run for office, or you recognize you’re not cut out for it? Fine. Then determine to campaign for a candidate you believe in next election cycle. Everyone is so frustrated because they can look back at this election cycle and see something they could have done to actually act like they have beliefs that might not fit into a democrat or republican bucket. Don’t want a label? Stick up for what you believe and go make something happen. People were undecided on election day because they were confused about the fact that neither candidate believes what they believe. Why do we not have a party that represents people’s true beliefs?
If you’re out of work right now, I’ve got news for you: it’s your fault. I was proud as hell of my girlfriend, Nicole, when she quit her job because the culture wasn’t right and then landed a new job within two weeks. Nobody did the work for her — she made it happen. If you want the job of your dreams, or you just want something to pay the bills for now… Stop making excuses and go find a job. Want help? Great. There are a million and a half resources out there. I’m building one, and you’re welcome to sign up here. But if you don’t want to face the music, don’t waste either of our time buying a product you won’t use anyways. If you need a job, there are jobs for you to have. But if you’re not going to (wo)man up and do the hard work to make something happen, you might as well sit back down on your couch. And if you’re not willing to get your hands dirty to make some money while you find something that lights your fire, then you probably won’t be willing to do the hard work to be fulfilled either. Plain and simple.
Want healthcare not to be a crippling aspect of our society? Stop complaining about politicians and start with yourself. How healthy are you and what decisions have you made over the past week that are going to cost you, me, and everyone else money when it finally catches up to you? Start with yourself and lower your healthcare costs. If you’re blaming someone else for the crippling nature of healthcare reform and you’re not treating yourself well, then I don’t want to hear it.
If you are treating yourself well and you really see a problem with the general health of our population, stop looking down on people and start helping to educate them. Most people have no clue how to eat right, buy produce, or do a simple at-home workout. If you know how to do any of those things, you can take the anxiety out of it for someone else and empower them to be healthier. Start a gym, found a bootcamp class, get certified as a personal trainer, or finally tell someone you love to get their ass in shape because you care about them. Again, if you’re not willing to take action on something that fires you up, stop talking about it and deal with the consequences.
I don’t care what the regulatory environment is, who the president is, or what you want to do with your life. If you can’t find the thing that will bring your full potential to the world, I’m asking you to create it. Stop creating excuses and start building something. Go now and take the first step to actually make a difference today. Learn a new skill, get a mentor, file your LLC with the state. Do something to stop wasting your potential on something that your parents told you to do when you grow up.
The rules are changing, safe jobs are no longer safe jobs, and you showing up to work everyday to be a drone and not solve a single problem over your fifty year career is bullshit. The world needs more from you. You have too much potential and you can have too much impact to whine about the results of our elections.
If you want something bad enough, go make it happen. And if you don’t, you’re just going to have to get over it.
Awesome Barrett. Thanks.
Thanks for your never-ending support, Jen!
Barrett, Great post! I could not agree more. It may be a little goofy, but whenever things don’t go my way I play “Man in the Mirror” by MJ. Change starts from within and the sooner a person realizes that; the sooner they can change the world. From their own personal world to the entire world, it is up to them.
Luke, thanks for reading man. As much as anything, this post was a reminder to myself that I need to do my part and continue to push to create my own impact. Glad to see that you’re enthusiastically doing the same. Thanks for stopping by and hope I see you soon!
Ps love the MJ ritual.
Very well done article. There’s a point in time when you have to realize that you have to own your own life. Article came at a good time.
Thanks Stan! Glad to hear it came at a good time. Like I said to Luke, this was in some ways the pep talk that I needed to hear as well. Hope all is well in your world!