I just had an interaction with a New Man listener via Facebook.
Here is his post to me:
Dear Tripp,
My name is xxxx and I am currently a sophomore in college. I had the opportunity to stumble upon the New Man’s Podcast (sic) a few months ago and absolutely love it. I don’t have any clue what I want to major in but I am inspired by what you are doing…I hope that there is a way that you can point me in some sort of direction… I love helping people, and have always found joy in service. I was just curious as to how you got where you are today. I was just curious as to what the next step would be.
And here’s my reply:
First off — thanks for the great feedback. It keeps the show going to know guys like you are benefiting.
As for my story, I have done a ton of things. I’ve made music professionally, performed onstage next to my heroes, owned a video production company, been a video editor, consulted businesses, coached men on living better lives, hosted podcasts, helped lousy politicians get into office — you name it. I never really had a plan. I still don’t. I just know that I want my life to *feel* a certain way. I pursue that feeling.
All of these experiences look pretty different from the outside, but on the inside, I believe I was following the same “golden” thread. There’s a commonality to my adventures.
And what is that?
My guess is that I’m always looking to:
(1) Have fun. Period.
(2) Create stuff with others. I love to collaborate, I love the process of making stuff — even if “stuff” is experiences, or new ways of living.
(3) Create with some sort of meaning. I can get bored quickly, but if something has a sense of meaning or purpose, if it will help others, if it will have someone go “Holy crap! That makes my life better!”, if it makes life easier and more enjoyable then I get fired up.
So, for you — I would recommend honing in on the *qualities* of the things you love to do. What is it about basket weaving or competitive hot dog eating that fires you up? Because THAT is why you’re doing it. It’s really not about baskets or hot dogs.
Make sense?
Many of us mistake the “thing” we do for *WHY* we do it.
“I’m a lawyer because I like the law.” Bullshit. It probably has more to do with defending rights or … being the butt of lawyer jokes. (heh, heh, heh)
If you switch the game and pursue a quality vs a thing, you’ll find yourself in all sorts of different arenas. You’ll find yourself finding that feeling over and over again in different ways.
Life will stay fresh — if not a bit unstable. 🙂
So what are the qualities that fire you up?
Answer that question and then you’ll see the world through a different lens. “Does this opportunity or class help me pursue this *quality*?”
Classes or job opportunities will either be a “yes” or a “no” — no longer a maybe.
Life will be about serving these qualities, which really means you are serving the world.
Good luck!
Tripp
