MATT DOAN

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Your window is closing

“I need more money or experience before I can pursue what I love.”

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“I’ll be able to do [X] in a few years.”

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This is the story we tell ourselves. But what happens?

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A little more waiting turns into years of waiting. And then you’re stewing in regret because you’re in the same damn position.

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I have news for you: your window is closing.

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…life is ticking by

…responsibilities only go up

…willingness to take risks goes down

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Every second longer that you accept the default path further solidifies your odds of staying on it.

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Deep down, you know that taking the higher-salary job title only leads to you being more caged.

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As Derek Thompson said:

“...sometimes the most attractive titles are reserved for the most soul-destroying labor.”

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No doubt, it’s important to establish a financial and reputational footing.

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But realize when you’ve reached a stage of “good enough.”

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Understand when it’s time to step through that window.

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Awakening

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If you want to pursue something, pursue it. Especially if you’re currently spending your days doing work that you despise.

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Every week, people come to me and say something like this:

“Work is okay, but it doesn’t excite me. I feel lifeless inside.

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I know I’m capable of so much more, but I’ve got no clue what that is.”

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This is step one: awakening from your slumber.

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Take heart: you don’t need to know what that thing is yet.

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Finding that thing takes work — it’s a process that you commit to.

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It took me 18 months of experimentation (and three “failures”) to arrive at my current business and have the guts to leave corporate. What I’m doing now is radically different from my initial idea.

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(That’s the point.)

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Truth be told: you likely have no idea what you love. What you “love” isn’t something you find. It’s something you cultivate — through focused work (experimentation).

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Are you really okay with deferring that work?

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Will you continue blaming your:

…daunting job?

…lack of personal time?

…significant financial responsibilities?

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You can (a) continue blaming or (b) take extreme ownership.

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Yeah, it’s crazy hard. So is everything else that’s worth it in life.

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It’s time — let’s go

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What would your 90-year-old self advise you to do? Go talk to them…right now.

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On the other side of your fear is your 100X better life.

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Invest in yourself. Spend time and money that you “don’t have.” (You know what I mean.)

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The opportunity costs of inaction are massive.

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The end is approaching. Memento Mori.

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Your window is closing.

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But you can step through. You can bet on yourself.

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So, will you?

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