I Don’t Know What I Want Out Of Life, Do You?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about life in general and I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t know what I want out of life. Period.

I’ve spoken before about Lead The Field by Earl Nightingale, and in one part of the book, Earl talks about how people just drift through life. They don’t think for themselves. They get up in the morning, they get dressed, they eat, they go to sleep. Same process day after day. He makes a good point when he says that none of that requires actual thought and that people just float without making an effort to become better or to grow. He attributes this behavior to the fact that people don’t know what they want.

“People want little things” he continues.  ”They want a car, they get it. They want a house, they get it.” But outside of those “little things” people don’t know what they really want out of life. If you think about it for a minute, this really is true. Even for some of the successful people floating around out there. I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately. I made a post earlier about the things I want and now that I look back on those three pictures, I don’t really care to have any of it. Sure those things would be nice, but so what? I can honestly say that if someone were to give me a million dollars free and clear right this instant, I wouldn’t be much more excited than if someone were to give me one dollar. Now if you’re reading this and you’re looking to give someone a million bucks, don’t cross me off your list by any means. That cash money would still put a grin on my little boy face for sure. I’m just trying to illustrate that at this point in my life there are many other things that are more appealing than money. What are those things? That’s what I’m trying to figure out.

I don’t know what it is, but I just can’t seem to get excited about much lately. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m drowning in debt and money has nearly lost its appeal to me in any form. Or maybe it’s the fact that I’ve matured a bit. Or maybe it’s the fact that I watched Mr. Deeds last night. You laugh? Well that is one inspiring movie. I hadn’t seen it since I was probably in fourth grade, but I think it’s awesome how the character Adam Sandler plays doesn’t care about money. He’s always trying to help and serve people. Earl Nightingale talks about how the journey is much better than actually achieving the goal that was set. I’m feeling more and more like that is in fact the case.

A lot of people have said it before, but I really do feel more happy when I’m working, serving, blogging, or doing anything that makes me think. This drifting through life simply has to stop. I’ve done far too much of it. I’ve fallen completely into a comfortable, lazy state and I’m having a rough time crawling out. I know exactly what I don’t want out of life, but knowing what I do want and making it happen is a different story.

But hey, at least I realize it. I know what I need to do, I just need to do it. Time to get to work.

Do you know what you want out of life? Really? And if your answer is “a lot of money” then you’re just as lost as I am.

I’d like to know your thoughts.

Update: Listen to Lead The Field by Earl Nightingale.