Yesterday I asked a young lady what she wanted to do with her life. She replied that she did not know. So, I asked her what skills she had, and again she had difficulty answering the question. Finally, I asked her what kinds of things she enjoyed doing, and while she mentioned a few things, she replied, “you ask some very hard questions.” I told her that if she can discover what she is good at, and what she enjoys doing, she could probably find a way to earn a good living doing something she enjoyed.
After reflecting on the conversation, I concluded that maybe so many people are irritable and unfulfilled because they are not using the skills they have, and are not doing what they enjoy. The young lady I spoke to, was nineteen years old, and had just finished a 14-hour shift at work. She was happy to have a job because it allowed her to pay her rent and take care of herself. Her present ambition was to save enough money to buy a car. I suggested to her that if she discovered and used her skills, and did what she enjoyed doing, she would earn a very good living. I also suggested that she think long-term and save and invest her money so that twenty years from now, she would not only be working for her money, but her money could be working for her earning interest and dividends.
Yes, success requires discipline, but discipline does not have to be difficult or depressing, only maintained. So, if you have skills that you put on the shelf and are not using, or if you have shelved the idea of enjoying your work, it is time to take them off the shelf. You can do something you enjoy doing wherever you are, and you can use at least one of your skills on any job. Let’s take some things off the shelf and become disciplined for success.