Is This You...?

 None of us is prefect. We say that a lot, especially when we want to dismiss some faux pas we've made. It's a generally accepted truth, with a veiled hint of a threat that if you question it, you're laying yourself wide open to an accusation  you'd rather not hear. And it's a way out for the speaker, without having to make an apology for whatever it is he's done, or not done.

Those observations apart, it's a good thing to remember for our own edification as well. Most of us are inclined to be  heavy on the self-criticism. This is never more apparent than when we get a compliment on something we've done. Sometimes, not sure of ourselves, and therefore of the compliment, we dismiss the accomplishment as if it could have been done by anyone.

This notion is supported by the promotion of the idea that anyone can run a business, run a country, run a marathon, paint a portrait, heal a sickness, pass a particular exam, endure a hardship, or a grief, or a wrongdoing, lead a business team, sell goods, persuade a nation, or an audience, build a house, hold a relationship, forgive an unforgivable, and a million and one other ideas that you may care to mention.

And oh, yes, the one that infests the internet these days, the one that exhorts you to be a wildly successful entrepeneur, the one that says you can do what you want, when you want, with whom you want, even how you want. That you'll have total freedom of time,  more money than you'll know what to do with, and you'll be on'Easy Street', have the ' life of Reilly', and maintain a lifestyle that'll blow your mind, socks, and anything else that needs blowing. 

It isn't true. 

It's as big a myth as the 'Work Life Balance.'

If you have any aspiration at all, even to do what you're doing, but do it to the best of your ability, there is no Work Life Balance. Your ambition will drive you to work more conscientiously, pay attention to details, make as sure as it's reasonably possible, to anticipate eventualities, to consider how something could be improved, to think about aspects that you don't have time to think about when you're on the job, so you won't have what people fondly imagine as a Work Life Balance. 

And good for you.

Pride in your work, how you learn it, implement it, serve others by it, create more opportunity for you and for others, is what gives a sense of purpose, stimulates the mind and brings creativity into life that would otherwise lie dormant. This sense of purpose can at times be obsessive. That's fine. So long as you don't harm others, encroach on their rights, or undermine their lives, what you do and how you apply yourself to it is no one's business but yours.

I believe, and have only had this belief strengthened over the years, that Man was made to make the most of his talents, resources, and abilities, however great or meagre they may be.

But we all have different talents, inclinations, abilities, and different levels of drive, ambition, and of course sense of desire and need to use them. That doesn't make people right or wrong; it's what makes them different. 

Which is why I suggest, when reflecting on your life, who you feel the need to be, how you want to live your life, that:
Firstly you keep yourself fit, healthy and well.
Then make sure you're totally comfortable with your aims; that you're not contradicting yourself, your beliefs, your values.
Then that you're prepared to pay the price, whatever it may be.
Then that you GET STARTED.
That you do it WITH A WILL.
And that you SEE IT THROUGH.
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