You may not notice that the title of this post comes from a lyric by rapper Lil’ Wayne. You may also not notice that I’m back with an update. It’s me, Glen (the old owner of this site, for those of you who aren’t familiar with the PluginID story). I promised you all that I would be back, and here I am.
I had planned on doing an update about how my Cloud Living lifestyle is going better than ever and was even going to share some pictures of my new apartment. I’ve changed quite a lot in the last few months so I’m not even going to bother. This post is all about you.
When listening to one of of my favourite songs recently (Forever, by Drake) the lyric used in this title really stuck out to me. You may have your own interpretation of what it means, but to me it’s simply this: if you’re living the life that you want to live, what does it matter if other people know about it?
If you feel the need to update the world with everything that is going on (besides friends and family) then in my opinion, you’re probably not living the life you want to live. Otherwise you wouldn’t care about telling the world through your blog, Twitter or Facebook profile.
I noticed in myself quite recently the urge I had to let people know about my successes and what is going on in my life. In reality though, it’s all just Ego bullsh*t. For that very reason I deleted 1,800 tweets from Twitter and deactivated my Facebook profile. My friends can get in touch with me by phone and I speak to my family in the UK on Skype. I don’t need to use services for the very reason that they were built.
Being On Your Own Mission
To live the life you want to live I truly believe that you must be on your own mission. If you allow society in general or even friends and family to fully dictate what you do then you’ll probably never reach your true potential. Sadly, the more successful you become on your own terms the more people there are trying to hold you back.
I didn’t get to where I am now by telling people about my situation, talking about my goals or waiting for the next person to react to what I do. I got to where I am now by having a clear focus on what I want and taking right action to get there. The background and profiles of some successful people may make you think that they’re “lucky” but I bet there are thousands of action hours you just aren’t aware of that these people have put in.
Two important things I’ve noticed since being on my own mission over the last 24 months are:
- The less you talk about your success (in most cases), the more people there are who want to follow your journey
- The less you focus on external “rewards” (money, relationships, status) the more likely they are to appear
This is just my experience of course, but I’ve spoken with a lot of successful people who can attest to seeing the same things. I’m not that successful in the typical societal view, but I am living the life I want to life. I’m on my own mission.
That mission involves helping my brother and sister to quit the rat race. I genuinely couldn’t care less about how people feel about that or how many people see that plan come to fruition. The only reason I talk about it so openly like this is because I hope other people can relate to my situation and what I’m saying. The time you spend waiting for things to happen could be spent actually making things happen.
Instead of making sure everyone knows about your plans, or how well you’re doing, or how amazing your life is going to be this time next year. How about actually making things happen? How about making your theme park?
Appreciating What Is
There’s a fine line between having big goals and aiming towards them and being grateful for the position you currently find yourself in. I know that this is an area I personally need to work on.
One of my closest friends is a millionaire and one of the most successful people I know. Something he said to me recently hit on a topic I’ve been thinking about for a while: “The ultimate goal for anyone is to enjoy every moment.” His obvious material success has come from putting in the hours and knowing what he wants, but he also works towards loving the situation he is in right now.
Because of this, he’s one of the happiest people I know.
I never thought I would quote Miley Cyrus but there’s one line I love from her song, The Climb, “It ain’t about how fast I get there, it ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side. It’s the climb.” I’ve realised that it’s not the results of what I do that I love the most, it’s the process of creation, creativity and the unknowing of whether something you’re working on will do what you want it to do.
That’s why I get out of bed every morning. I can’t find any better way to appreciate what is then continuing to focus on doing the things I love. I think you’ll find the same is true for your own situation, as well.
If life really is a roller-coaster then make sure you enjoy the ride, because once it stops it stops. It’s funny how much my life has improved both financially and socially when I stopped screaming and started doing.
Who knows, maybe you would see an improved life situation too?
“It may not mean nothing to y’all, but understand nothing is done for me, so I don’t plan on stopping at all…I want this sh*t forever man”
Very cool song indeed! Cool to read your progress update here on PluginID, I am sure many of your old readers will be happy to hear from you again!
Cheers!
Diggy
Hey Glen,
This a wonderful call to action. I feel like we may often get caught up in so much social media, that we forget the truly important actions.
You made an interesting point about finding balance between striving for more while still enjoying the moment. This is a self-development blog and so we’re all striving for something and looking to improve. The dangerous part is when we fail to appreciate the now and actually enjoy the process.
Keep enjoying your rollercoaster!
Ben
Hey Glen. This really hit home for me buddy. Aside from the fact you DID quote Miley Cyrus,
When it comes down to it, It’s all about living your own mission while hopefully doing some good along the way. I’ve grown a tremendous amount these past few months as well.
I used to not like roller coasters, but have since come to appreciate but the high’s and lows.
Too many comments
I’ll respond to them all soon
Yes! That’s somehow what makes me happy right now, too. On the one side I enjoy the present situation I live in as much as I can, ignoring the frustrating parts it still contains. On the other side I focus on what I want to change my situation into. This mix of the present and the future provides me with more pleasure than only focusing on what I want in the future, not appreciating what I already have.
Be aware of your present situation. I like what your Millionaire friend says, its true.
I am plugged in… Checking my e-mail and reading your article could not have came at a more perfect time. First THANK YOU for the reminder.
I am learning what the word “social networking” literally means…
Picture an Earth age 39, mother of four, higher education and life wisdom awareness,found that her true purpose is advocating play and recycling. She wants to keep toys out of landfills by recycling and visions endlessly of creating an accesssable “interactive play-recycle support palace” for adults and children.
Now picture the Pepsi Refresh Project stating in response to my application
Pepsi Refresh Project wrote,
“12:00:01 a.m. EST on March 1st, 2010.
Hooray!
Help
• Submission kit for tips [PDF]
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Official Application Guidelines
• Send us an email
• Call us at 1-800-768-2784
Complete
Your idea will be ready for viewing & voting on April 1, 2010, pending approval
Your submission is being reviewed.
We’ll email you and to remind you to spread the word to your friends, family & supporters. Remember, your grant is in the voters’ hands!
Yes …A grant of $50,000…. grant applicants will campaign the whole month starting in April, I was 1 out of 1000 applications submitted. Meaning on April fools day I will know if my idea went through approval and up for voting.
When you wrote,”life really is a roller-coaster then make sure you enjoy the ride…”. I could literally relate to this because in the last couple of weeks I have rode the social networking roller coaster.
Overnight I’m a facebooker, I’m a tweeter, I’m a blogger,I’m a web master, I’m a Googler, I’m a knoler, I’m a digger, I’m a stumbler, I’m a Craiger, and a I’m a midnight you tuber
I just want you to know I asked my Higher Power “God” to guide me for this journey and am aware that I am truly blessed to have this guide for my ride
Bridgette Harasyn “PQP lets I.Q.’s smile”
Cool post Glen. I think people are more interested in how successful people got to their successes, rather than just hearing the successes that they have. That’s currently kind of write about in my blog and focus on.
Another thing that you hit one was to enjoy every moment like your millionaire friend said, or the climb like in Miley Cyrus’ song. I totally agree with this because if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, success is going to feel like a never ending chase. You’re example with the roller coaster reminds me of just enjoying the ride, and anything that comes after it can be seen as just a bonus.
I also have my personal mission, and it is as *big* as your new one Glen. Thanks for sharing these tidbits – my thinking has been experiencing a gradual but already noticable shift.
You become who you spend your time with.
Cheers,
Y
I feel you
I say live and let live. Do what you feel is right for you. Sometimes family and friends will not understand your mission, do not explain it to them because it’s not worth it. Surround yourself with positive people who will support you and you mission. Keep pressing forward in life!
Nice! Your very best post so far, in my opinion.
Very thought provoking post and a great example of how life should be lived.
It is great to read your post again! Good luck with your journey. I am not going to write “I totally agree with you” because it would be boring
Ice cream obviously. No actually…
Scream for my new free “How Teux Keep Small Puppies Alive” ebook of lifestyle design.
Ok, that was shameless. Please don’t hate me, I still love you lol.
Once you start achieving goals that you have set for yourself and life starts turning out the way you want it too, it can be very easy to either stop and pat your self on the back too much and forget why you started on the course in the first place, or friends and family think your doing really well, so they pile on the praise which can sometimes go to your head, and before you know it you find yourself getting over confident and thinking your the best thing since sliced bread! And thats when all the things you were striving for suddenly stop because you are not giving them your 100% focus.It is always a good idea to stop and take stock of your situation and where you are,are you on track to achieving your goals? is the life you are living now the one you want? Even when you are moving forward it is good to stop for a minute and ask yourself those questions.
Great post by the way:)
Love this blog!
Of course I recognized the lyrics instantly! Great post.
““The ultimate goal for anyone is to enjoy every moment.””
Thanx for bringing this quote to my attention.
Good post Glen, glad to see you back. I agree, there were times when your twitter updates were a little too “braggy” and it made me twinge. I *almost* unfollowed you a few times. Glad to see you were able to acknowledge a fault, fix it and move on.
Nice post. The 2 tips you’ve found are excellent and fit perfectly into my belief system and of how things have currently been working for me.
I love the passion you’ve got. I’m on the same track (I feel) of doing what I love and I know it’s only a matter of time. My main goal would be to make a living from what I love and I’m so damn close!
I have to stop screaming. Facebook has been my life and I haven’t realized it until recently but I used that medium to “scream” all of my accomplishments and feelings (along with my failures too) at the world just so…just so I could be seen.
I’m seriously contemplating getting rid of the account but…I don’t think going cold turkey (lol yeah its my drug) is the best thing right now. I have a position in a college organization which requires me to be very social (which is ironic because I’ve got some pretty bad social problems).
I love you and Bud’s insights though. I was having a really shitty day until I read some of the posts. I have to really rethink my goals and stop planning my life on what I’d like others to perceive me as. The only opinion that matters in my life is mine and no other should have the power that I’m giving them now. I just have to be whoever I want to be….and not give a shit.
By the way, kudos on your awesome life Glen =] If you have any tips on being in the moment or on life at all just hit me up. Peace.
Being on your own mission and ahving that amazing pinpoint focus is a great feeling and a true sign of manlihood. I still think Facebook and Twitter are great tools. It’s the people using them that are the problem
.
Great post. It’s great sometimes to just not focus on the outside rewards and just immerse yourself in what you do and let it all come to you. It’s a great feeling.