Ya, no.
In the game of life, the distant finish line at the end of this marathon is an illusion.
You’ve no idea when you’re arriving at that finish line, not really. It’s all just years and years of one sprint after another, and then one day… no more sprinting for you. There will be no two-weeks notice granted (not likely). Things will just stop.
Some of the things.
Most of the things
All of the things.
Things as you knew them anyways.
In other words, a little more ‘here and now‘ may be in order. A little less delayed gratification.
I’ve spent decades convinced that hammering in 80-hour workweeks had some kind of special honour. Throwing around lines like ‘vacations are for the weak’ (as recently as yesterday). And as far back as 1986, long before hustle-porn and hustle-culture, I was certain that pushing myself to the limit day after day made sense because it would all build towards some future payoff.
Did it?
At 52yrs old, I can say yes in some ways it worked… sort of; but do those ways matter?
Let me tell you this… the ‘greater good’, the ‘bigger picture’, the ‘long-run’ thinking is all just a clever trick we play on ourselves to justify us doing what we want to do. To justify our living in a way that deep down we are choosing as our preference.
Work camps for two weeks at a time?
3, 6, or 9 month service roles?
endless overtime?
16hr days?
A choice in most cases.
Show me a man who says he did it all (the 80hr workweeks for example) for his wife, or his family, and odds are I can show you a selfish man with an ego problem.
He did it for himself.
Or at least I did.
I told myself it was all about the future. And now here I sit, in the future… alone.
The kids are grown and gone. It’s too late to buy that boat and pack ’em up for a weekend on the water. (would that $219.00 per month payment have broke me in 1999?)
Oops.
As an aside; show me a woman working 80hrs a week and you’re probably looking at single Mom who 100% does what she does for her kids to survive and have a better life. My experience suggests women are smarter than men, and one heckuva lot more grounded.
Today
This very moment is what truly counts. Your actions today will define your path and shape your destiny. Life is too unpredictable to force crappy days on yourself and/or your loved ones just because you’re banking on some far-off brighter future.
Make it a brighter day today!
Your future is today, and with any luck tomorrow.
Yes, we must put checks and balances in place for the future, and be smart with regard to the long haul; eat right, wear a seatbelt, exercise daily, and keep in mind that how you’re living today had best feel good, it better feel right, because our short-term actions have long term impacts on our grandest dreams.
Evaluate the sacrifices you’re making in the short-term… not just your own sacrifices, but the sacrifices you’re forcing on those around you. Maybe you think the way you’re working is worth it, but what about the other people directly affected?
How do they feel?
Have you asked them?
Have you asked yourself:
Am I making the most of today?
Am I living with purpose, drive, and joy in the present?
Am I happy?
Are the people I care about happy with me?
What truly matters?
Don’t sacrifice the beauty of the here and now for an uncertain tomorrow.
Make today count, because the short run is your main stage. Own it, embrace it, and make sure you’re having fun!
On that note, I’m heading out for a short run!
Get out there and embrace the day, and if possible embrace a loved one as well!
DW