Today my former life jumped out and bit me on the ass. It was more of a love bite than a bruise-inflicting chomp but it was shocking none the less.
What was so shocking wasn’t the fact that this former life reared it’s head, but the fact that I hadn’t stopped to think about the life I am living now.
Working at a PBwiki in silicon valley is a far jump from the Peace Foundation in NYC. Changes didn’t just come in the form of a job or yet another new address - but huge life changes like getting married, becoming a porker and actually confronting my financial affairs.
It’s unfortunate that I haven’t stopped to reflect on how I feel about these decisions and instead barrel forward to an unknown and unevaluated destination.
I’m making the assumption that we’re all pretty similar - getting swept up in the day to day of life without thinking if we’re spinning our wheels or cruising to the one place we always wanted to be.
At PBwiki, I sometimes find myself doing the same thing - making fast decisions and running with them. At some point I’m directed back to the project page and back to the three overarching goals that drive the entire organization.
My ears ring with the oft-repeated phrases of “Show me how what you’re working on fits in with these three goals. Show me how you can replicate what you’ve done. Show me where you failed and where you succeeded.”
I think this is the best way forward. My challenge to myself is to define three goals in my life and make sure I spend quality time pursuing these goals.
My goals:
1) Travel, live abroad
2) Have a happy, emotionally balanced family and a dog that doesn’t pee in the house
3) This third one needs some thought
This is harder than you think, what three goals really drive your life - are you spending time accomplishing them?
