Today was my first day of the snow season and it was epic. Snowboarding used to be a huge passion of mine. I couldn’t wait for my next run. Then, I turned entrepreneur and the high cost of both put snowboarding in the back seat. I still love snowboarding. But I don’t LOVE snowboarding. It’s such a production to get up the mountain.
And by production, I don’t mean packing and getting up early. I mean the gear, the board, the vehicle. It’s a white collar sport, for sure. And I live the life of, “Staying down for the come up.” It’s not a terrible life. But, its not for the meek at heart. Even those with Ego’s telling them their heart is not meek… You gotta question it. You have to. It’s a sanity check.
And when you are the only one you know staying down for the come up… It can feel insane. Really, any passion can seem insane. Most people think Mountain Biking is insane – or at least more people did 15 – years ago. Before mountain biking claimed the summer at all the local ski resorts and those white collar park rats discovered that they could have apres ski in the summer. And, way closer to home. Mountain Biking – my first outdoor love – was more affordable for me over the years. Yeah, I ride a $7,000 bicycle. Yeah, most people think that’s insane. But, I didn’t pay $7k for it. I paid employee price by working one day a week in a shop. I had a second bike for a while that was around the same price tag. That one I bartered for.
(Bartering is such an awesome opportunity for business owners. Many already take advantage of it But, what is the opportunity cost for not knowing a merchant is willing to barter. It’s gotta be huge. Because, every merchant I have met that is not a major corporation is willing to barter. It makes way too much financial sense.)
That’s what I need to do right now. As I grow my businesses – my current side hustles – I need to have passion in my job. The job itself needs to fund my passions right now. Because I won’t be able to turn my passions into economic vehicles before my personal burn rate is exhausted. So, I must find a J-O-B. I’m going to do things that are fulfilling and bring me a sense of accomplishment. I don’t need to hit a homerun to prove that I am a player. I can be a utility player that ads value anywhere he’s placed. How else do you fulfill your passion, but by immersing deeply to serve your purpose?
Snowboarding, Mountain Biking, Tennis, lifting weights, reading, watching videos, education, etc… All of these things serve to train me in the cycle of love and pain that must be endured as your passion evolves through each revolution. It’s for the love of the game. For the love of life.
Sometimes, it’s hard to remember love is guiding you. Sometimes it feels too painful to believe love exists. But, something deep down like an echoing whisper from deep down – Your Gut – Tells you that Love is there. The cycle is continuing to evolve. You have your single and you’ve hit a double. You just struck out or maybe you walked. You can still hit for the cycle. But only if you don’t take yourself out of the game.
Only you can get in your way. Don’t let yourself down. Don’t blame or compare yourself to others. That will keep you down. You are down for the come up. You’re not down to be down. These are two very different things. You’re down to come up as soon as possible.
Put me in coach. I’m ready to play, Centerfield. Because I’m coming up to bat. And when I’m way out in left field, I’m going to make sure I cover my field. I’m going to learn how to hit that triple. I’m going to knock one out of the park.
THE Pitch will be juicy.
Author: Jeff Donnelly
Game Designer. In both business and life, the potential is limited by the number of transactions available. Life is like a game. Jeff designs games that allow people to realize their full potential.