Once you get into it, there’s not many things better than exhausting yourself in some healthy competition with good company.
Think about it…you get to challenge yourself mentally and physically, you get to feel like you accomplished something difficult (because you did), and you get to feel companionship.
The endorphins that are released help you feel better throughout the day AND if you start your morning with exercise, it can help you build the momentum you need to make the lifestyle choices you desire.
What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? – Mark 8:36
As a competitive, ambitious, frugal, investor-minded individual who comes from humble beginnings, this graphic speaks to me.
The competitive side of me wants to be in the top 1% of everything I do (including financial-related goals).
The ambitious side of me wants to prove to myself, my family and friends, my acquaintances, etc. that I can do anything I set my mind to.
The frugal side of me wants to have the financial security money can bring.
The investor side of me hates waste and focuses on being as efficient as possible (like investing in assets and having my money work for me).
But when I think about what’s really important in life and what brings me the most joy, it’s not money…
I’m happiest when I’m hanging out with family – whether that’s at home, going on mini adventures to the zoo, watching our kids hang out with their cousins/aunts/uncles/grandparents, or going on our yearly trips to Mohican, Hocking Hills, or the beach.
I’m happiest when I’m working out and competing with friends at the gym (whether or not they know I’m competing with them is up for debate).
I’m happiest seeing friends and playing board games with them for game night or going out and grabbing something to eat.
I’m happiest finding people homes to live in or to invest in and negotiating the best terms for them.
And when I think about all that makes me happy, I realize that I don’t need to always be chasing 💸…life is easier with money, to be sure. But as long as I’m keeping things in perspective and still able to enjoy life while pursuing money, that will be enough for me.
Don’t lose your family, friends, or health chasing money. Because in the end, what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
Everyone has their own definition of success. Even if they don’t have it written down (most don’t, including myself) or it’s not the same definition every time they think of it, when they hear the word success or successful, they have an idea of what it looks like to them at that moment. And it’s different for everyone because we all have different goals in life. For example, if somebody doesn’t want to have children, being a great mother or father would not be a picture of success for them. Some people don’t want to work long hours (or any hours for that matter), so working their way up the corporate ladder would not be there idea of success. Nobody is right or wrong in the situation, it just depends on how you define success.
My current “definition” is that to be truly successful, you need to be able to succeed in many different types of environments. I want to accomplish great things like spending quality time with my family and friends, working towards good physical, mental, and financial health, building a career I can be proud of, taking time for hobbies and games that excite me, etc. I don’t want to be so lopsided that my success in one aspect of life gets in the way of my success in any of the other areas. I want to be complete, well-rounded, and above average in everything I do. Naturally, I will fall short in some areas at some time periods of my life, but if I can get up every time I fall down and keep going, I’ll be satisfied.
“The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.” – Mark Twain
Joy, happiness, and laughter are contagious! Even if you are not happy, trying to make others happy can help improve your mood as well.
If you’re moping around, you may get attention in the short-term. Nice people or people who care about you will ask how you’re doing and try to offer encouragement or advice. But if you’re constantly down in the dumps, eventually people will not want to hang around you as much because you’ll drag their mood down too.
Be happy. Try to make others feel good. The more you can genuinely make others laugh or be happy, the more they’ll want to do the same for you. And you get the positive benefit of doing something nice for others, which will increase your happiness.
“The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.” – Eric Hoffer…how true this is. How quickly we forget about all the help that we have received along the way to where we are now. Never forget that life is a team sport. You would not be where you are today if not for your teammates – your family, friends, teachers, co-workers, and acquaintances.
