Preparing for the Future by Living in the Present
High school isn’t forever, whether that brings you joy or despair, it’s true. What lies after high school is God damn broad for each and every person (that’s word on the street anyway; I’m still a student), and so obviously thought needs to be directed towards your journey so you don’t find yourself lost in your mother’s basement at the age of 35.
For myself, this has been a major cause of stress for the past few years. The process of coming up with a pathway for the future has cycled me through periods of high and low motivation, redirected my efforts multiple times to varying realms, pushed me to try new things, and even swung me back and forth from the thought of not going to university (not an option coming from my family). I’ve tried some computer programming, learning instruments, making skits, and toyed with many business ideas with close friends, along with many more things. Where has it got me?
1. I know I don’t enjoy computer programming
2. I know I’m not musically gifted (I still enjoy playing as a hobby)
3. Skits are fun to make with mates
4. I know the value in trying new things.
As you can see; I’ve had both positive and negative experiences when venturing outside of my typical comfort zone (nerd and gym junkie stuff). All of these experiences, while broadening my scope of what life can be like, has also filtered out many pathways in life, which is unexpectedly relieving in a world of infinite choice. I strongly recommend you to just try new shit; you never know what might tickle your pickle.
When trying to sculpt a pathway for myself, I found that the most influential factor for the direction of my efforts was money: how to turn what I’m doing into an income. This, I assure you, is the WRONG way to approach new ventures. I found myself trying things I new I had no interest in (eg. Computer programming), because I held the notion that big money could be made from them. Massive waste of my time, don’t let it waste the ticks on your clock.
If your’e good enough at anything you can make money off it. Focus on being good at something you enjoy rather than being good at something you think makes easy money. Play the instrument you love, master your favourite subject, make art (is that how you say it), write a damn book, make a podcast, write a blog. Keep at it, get good, and one day it could bring in the big bucks.
Your first venture, second venture, etc. is extremely unlikely to make you much money, if any at all. Just keep going at it. The exceptions are one hit wonders, and nothing to compare yourself to. Not everyone can be a Yodelling Walmart Kid. Trust that eventually your passions will put dollars in your pocket. In the mean time; get a damn job and/or keep studying hard to keep you above broke, and to keep your options open. Treat your ventures as side projects in which you have nothing to lose from; they are not your job (yet).
To sum it up, I want to emphasise is to just do what you enjoy (if you don’t know what you like: make something you will appreciate when it is finished (eg. a podcast)). Include people you enjoy in your ventures – many brains is better than one (even yours, smart ass). Live in the present, and don’t focus on the potential money you could be making. Enjoy a little stress and those hits of dopamine that your hard work can get you.
High school is almost over (it was since the day it started), and your life lies ahead of you. Start preparing for the future by living in the present.
The Locker Bay 