It is the opportunities you don’t take that define you and your career.
Marvin Acuna shared this adage with me and for some reason it stuck.
If you are someone who is actually up to something, something big, you will be exposed to more opportunities than you are going to be able to pursue.
It is up to you to choose what your legacy will be.
Will you choose the opportunities that will make you the most money?
Will you choose the ones that give you the most happiness?
There is no right or wrong decision, but if you know where you stand, you will be ready to make the tough decisions when they come your way.
For me, I am somewhere in the middle. At this point in my life, I am perusing happiness maximization while also keeping my eye on the future and my legacy.
My Personal Mantra for Decision Making is as follows:
Would I want this tattooed on my forehead?
I’m not sure where I picked this saying up but it has been life changing. This one line simplifies decisions by bring my legacy into question.
When everything is said and done my legacy is all that will remain.
Image credit: likethebrids
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Wow, Nick, that’s quite a mantra. Building a legacy is one thing, but I think there’s got to be room for missteps and learning. If we take every decision so seriously we’ll become paralyzed. I speak from experience. Sometimes a better mantra for decisions is simply—let’s try it and see.
Lach, totally true, being OK with your missteps is key.
I am just as proud of my failures as I am of my successes and will gladly talk about where I have messed up and flat out FAILED in my past.
The whole idea is to make sure that you are on the path you want to be on. When someone approaches you to do something on a path haven’t ventured down before, think about if you want to be held accountable for those mistakes as well.
There’s nothing better than reading wise words from a guy who is out there LIVING and breathing his own mission to live life with integrity, passion and poise (or insert your own manlier term).
Love the idea of happiness maximization while also building a legacy. It’s a fine line between living for the future and being in the moment — but that’s what keeps things exciting
Hugs!
Wow. Yes great article. And lean too. Only said what had to be said.
Always grasping for happiness is the way to go. You can’t stack happiness up in the corner like money. You have to use it when you get it, which is NOW.
The tattoo analogy is good. I like it.
Thanks !
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