Screw it. I’m done looking for my life’s passion.

My last blog post was all about getting back on the horse. Walking the talk. You know, manning up.

However, today, I had a revelation that I believe will simply catapult my efforts to being my most awesome self.

As you may know, I do a lot of reading about success, growth, self-actualization, generally being the most kick ass version of yourself. The simplest and most common formula for success out there is:

 “Find your passion. Live your passion. Make obscene amounts of money from your passion”.

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A dirt grave and the purpose of life

Last week I laid to rest the father of a friend. A great, kind, generous and gentle giant of a man. It hurt to see all that he was, unceremoniously hidden away, under a pile of dirt. None of his money, contacts, accolades and experience could change the fact that when he died, he was put in the ground and covered with dirt.

It really hurt. Why? Because it will be the same for you, and for me.

And I began to question, what life is really all about when it’s all going to end like this? The answer came to me as I looked around me, desperate to make sense of it all.

It was the people. Everyone who was there to see the old man put to rest. I realized our lives are measured by our contribution to the lives of others. How we lived, who we touched for better or for worse and the legacy we leave is what matters. Not the cars, the houses or the fame we acquired. It’s the people we leave behind.

As a father, it’s incredibly important to me what legacy I leave for my children. Who will they be because of how I related to them? I want everyone who comes to see my pile of dirt say “I’m here today, alive, happy, successful, because I knew him. He made my life worth living”.

The children of the late were left angry and hurt with unsaid “goodbyes and I love you’s”. The right investment by him in them would have made an incredible difference to their loss now.

I intend to make a difference, leave a positive legacy.

What about you? How will you spend your life? Will you make a difference? I’d love to hear from you.

The Apprentice & the 13 unbreakable laws of success

Today in my mail, I discovered a pleasant bonus in one of my weekly inspirational newsletters. The 13 absolutely unbreakable laws of success by Brian Tracy, one of my favorite motivational speakers. Here it is in simple and no nonsense breakdown of things you must learn to do to achieve great and lasting success in your life. I give you, the 13 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Success.

1. The Law of Control:

You feel good about yourself to the degree at which you feel you are in control of your own life.

2. The Law of Responsibility:

You are completely responsible for everything you are and for everything you become and achieve.

3. The Law of Direction:

Successful people have a clear sense of purpose and direction in every area of their lives.

4. The Law of Compensation:

You are always fully compensated for whatever you do, positive or negative.

5. The Law of Service:

Your rewards in life will always be in direct proportion to the value of your service to others.

6. The Law of Applied Effort:

All things are amenable to hard work.

7. The Law of Overcompensation:

If you always do more than you are paid for, you will always be paid more than you are getting now.

8. The Law of Preparation:

Effective performance is preceded by painstaking preparation.

9. The Law of Forced Efficiency:

The more things you have to do in a limited period of time, the more you will be forced to work on your most important tasks.

10. The Law of Decision:

Every great leap forward in life is preceded by a clear decision and a commitment to action.

11. The Law of Creativity:

Every advance in human life begins with an idea in the mind of a single person.

12. The Law of Flexibility:

Success is best achieved when you are clear about the goal but flexible about the process of getting there.

13. The Law of Persistence:

Your ability to persist in the face of setbacks and disappointments is your measure of your belief in yourself and your ability to succeed.

Shalom