Chapter 1: Embracing Change

In a matter of moments, I transitioned from 23 to 27 years old. It genuinely feels like a switch flipped, and suddenly, four years have passed me by. My life, especially since turning 14, has revolved around the aspiration to create something of my own, yet I spent a significant portion of that time making excuses.

Whether it was the pandemic, a change of scenery, or something else, I realized that over the past two years, I needed to adopt an action-oriented mindset. Here’s what I’ve discovered:

Life won't wait for the perfect moment

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." — Theodore Roosevelt

For years, I hesitated, waiting for the 'ideal' situation to take action. I longed for deep passion about my pursuits or a distraction that would captivate my attention. The truth is, life doesn’t pause for you to figure things out. It doesn’t matter if you have a child on the way, if you're in debt, or if you’re waiting for extra funds. Life continues, regardless of your situation. The only moment that matters is now.

It's not time that you're lacking, it's discipline

"Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you did not do than the ones you did." — Mark Twain

Complaining about a job you dislike is common and easy. It’s simple to sit back and vent to a partner or take the weekend to relax after a tough week. While these may feel comforting, they don’t solve anything. It’s tempting to wallow in discontent, but that will only allow life to slip away.

What’s far more challenging is using your free time wisely. It’s difficult to find the motivation to work on your dreams when you’d rather be curled up on the couch binge-watching your favorite shows. However, the struggle is worthwhile.

Reframing challenges is the first step

"Resilience isn't about immunity to pain. It's about finding the strength to withstand strain." — Adam Grant

As an organizational psychologist, Grant understands the human condition in the workplace. It can be tough to endure a job you detest and not pursue your dreams daily. But this struggle builds resilience.

Weekends are your opportunity for growth

Weekends are where transformation occurs. With 16 hours at your disposal, you have the chance to develop new skills or pursue a business idea. You don’t need to remain stagnant; take advantage of your weekends to make progress.

It's painful, but that's part of life.

Don't be a critic; be a supporter

"It's easy to be a critic or a cheerleader. It's harder to be a coach." — Adam Grant

Spending time in negativity is one of the worst ways to waste your time. Instead, try to shift your perspective. Rewire your thought patterns to activate when you see areas that need improvement.

"Feedback doesn't signal insecurity. It demonstrates that you care more about your learning than your ego." — Adam Grant

Consider improvement as a game. Each time you notice positive changes, count it as progress. Dedicate time each week to reflect on these improvements and think about how you can continue to grow. Focus on uplifting yourself rather than bringing yourself down.

Learning to embrace failure

"A basic but life-changing idea we forget: While we don't control what happens, we always control how we RESPOND to what happens." — Ryan Holiday

Life is unpredictable; it brings both good and bad experiences. What matters is how you choose to respond. I spent five months writing a book, only to sell a mere twelve copies, resulting in a financial loss. But I’m back on my feet and ready to keep going.

Don’t waste time fearing failure—it's a certainty.

Embrace the journey

"What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him." — Viktor Frankl

Struggle can be beneficial. I once heard someone reframe their pre-meeting nerves as excitement. They chose to see their anxiety as a positive sign of impending joy. Many aspects of life, including work, health, and happiness, can be challenging. Struggles are an integral part of any journey.

Takeaway

You have all the time to accomplish nothing. In contrast, you have limited time to create something extraordinary. The key is to start—whether it’s on weekends, after work, or even today.

Life won’t wait for you. The greatest regrets of those nearing the end of their lives are often that they lacked the courage to live authentically. They wished they had acted sooner.

So, take action now. Build while you can.

I write to explore topics that challenge me. I even authored a book about discovering workplace happiness as a confused twenty-something. It's available for just £1.99, and I hope you find value in it! You can access my full range of writings here.

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