There’s no escaping reason, no denying purpose. Because as we both know, without purpose, we would not exist.
- Agent Smith
Let’s say you have to get to work for 7am sharp. Everyday you get there early because you don’t like to be late but it happens from time to time. One day you’re late but if you run to catch the bus you might just make it on time. What do you do?
This was the question my colleague Marius, a 60-year-old software engineer from Romania, asked me this morning.
I’d pull another all-nighter, amassing a measly 4 hours of sleep because I felt I wasn’t doing enough. Throughout my career, I’ve conditioned myself that if I wasn’t working 80-hour weeks then I wasn’t doing enough and for years went on like this but at what cost?
My health deteriorated, I became withdrawn and my already small social life dwindled further. It wasn’t until last year when I moved closer to friends that some of this started to change, and for the most part, I’ve been disciplined about working 8 hours, clocking out and going outside to touch grass.
But like anyone who suffers from an addiction would tell you; it’s hard sometimes but by asking that question Marius reminded me of the lessons I’ve learned over the years. At the end of the day, I will get there. 10 years ago when I found myself sleeping at a bus stop with nothing but a backpack and the clothes on my back or even some years after when I had to sneak showers in public restrooms and sleep on the floor of the place I worked at the time because had nowhere else to go, I did not imagine I’d be in the position I am today.
So even if I’m a bit late to the success I envision for myself it does not matter because I will get there, and so will you.