Play stupid games, and win stupid prizes.
Why you should put more effort in picking the right goals.
Finding true fulfillment and making a meaningful contribution to society doesn't require most of the things typically associated with success.
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What truly matters is selecting the right goals and directions in shaping your life.
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You don't need to exhaust yourself with endless effort; you just need better goals.
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Sure, having a million followers might earn you some bragging rights at a dinner party, and hosting your own podcast could make you seem trendy.
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But creating a business that addresses a real problem, something you deeply care about, even if it serves just a thousand people, can bring both financial success and genuine satisfaction.
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For many, striving to find a fulfilling and impactful job that offers good pay and an excellent team to work with might be an even more worthwhile pursuit.
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The best part? It often requires less time and effort than pursuing the myriad of flashy achievements that our modern culture constantly promotes.
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Instead of succumbing to the pressure and following the crowd's values, pause. Take a moment to thoughtfully explore your options and choose a path that your future self will appreciate.
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It's not just about winning the game; it's about choosing the right game to play.
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You wouldn't want to spend your entire life climbing the wrong mountain, only to realize it when you reach the summit.
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Here's a valuable exercise I practice often:
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Draw a straight line from point A (where you are now) to point Z (your desired lifestyle) on a piece of paper.
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Next to it, list all the ideas you've considered to reach your goal.
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Then, place between point A and point Z the ideas you genuinely believe are essential for achieving your desired lifestyle.
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You'll soon discover that very few of these are actually necessary for your desired outcome.
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Chances are that in order to live a meaningful life you don't need to write a best-selling book, start a podcast, read a hundred books, join the trendiest startup, gain 10,000 more followers, learn another language, or even acquire a new skill.
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Ultimately, life is simple; we just insist on making it complicated.
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Great love and respect,
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Ash Lamb
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Ash, I enjoy your posts. They're simple and concise frameworks. And they remind me to focus on what is important.