From Bronnie Ware’s regrets of the dying:
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.
By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.
Keep your eye on the goal. Everything you do should be in service of what you truly want. Live intentionally. The amount you work should be the amount that best serves you and your loved ones. You need to make money, and, making more money than you need is often not the optimal use of your time. You can be spending your time relaxing so that you can refresh your senses and and feel calm and peace. You can be enjoying the love of your children, and giving your children your love – a gift that will serve them much better than the toy that your money might buy.
When you live consciously, money is something you obtain because you want something else. Identify what it is that you truly want. Is it security? love? relaxation? fancy toys? vacations to the tropics? When you identify what is in your heart, you will find new and innovative ways of wringing the most joy and fulfillment you absolutely can out of life.
What matters even more than not working too hard, is working on is enjoying your work. Work on something you find enjoyable and inspirational. Find the zen in what you do, spend as few hours at work as you can and work on other things you enjoy, or find a new job that you are passionate about. Try a start-up! I’ve worked with several people who were dissatisfied with their jobs who found their passion and are now working on jobs that feed their souls. They kept positive attitudes about what they were doing, kept working on themselves, kept open to other possibilities, and eventually something fantastic came along! At Positive Vector we’d love to help you with this.
This post is part of the series: What to Do Before You Die.
-Shannon Friedman
Set your passion free.
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