Live for now

I commonly field questions and requests from my girls (ages 5&3) that in some way attempt to secure a future opportunity. “Can we have ‘crazy noodles’ for dinner tomorrow?” “Can we watch Lion King this weekend?” “Can we go to Applebees next week?” My response is typically some variant of “Ladies, let’s worry about tomorrow tomorrow and enjoy today today.” Sound advice I think as a parent to a child. I want them enjoying the moment, not consumed by the prospect of a future opportunity.

As I’ve done a good bit of reflection at the new year about my personal and professional status and goals, I feel I could benefit similarly from my own advice. I’m a fixer, a pusher, a planner. I’m focused on securing the next opportunity, planning the next adventure, and creating a plan to get there. Kilimanjaro in 2013, Ironman in 2014, already thinking about 2015 and beyond.
Am I taking the time to enjoy each of these experiences? Am I recognizing that my professional opportunity could be the best opportunity I’ll ever have, with an incredible team of people I truly like and a company with the prospect of providing substantial financial opportunity? Do I truly appreciate the relative luxury I have: a beautiful wife, two wonderful and healthy kids, spiritual content, all the physical possessions and more that a person could expect? Am I respectful and giving of my time to the wonderful social network of friends and relationships that help me so much?

I think I do appreciate what I have, Sheila and I often discuss with each other how lucky we are. Some of that luck is just that, and some is the kind generated by an enormous amount of hard work. However, I’m not sure that I am slowing down enough to enjoy what is around me. I’m not sure if I’m soaking in the journey of an adventure versus thinking about the next one as soon as I cross the finish line.

So I’m going to try to focus on the journey a little more. That doesn’t mean stop planning (not a realistic goal!), and I will still push for more experiences and more successes. But I’ll also recognize that clichés are clichés in many cases because they are true. And I’m going to work hard to appreciate the journey as much as the destination.

There is a position between blindly riding the people mover of life and rushing to catch the next thing. That perfect balance eludes me...for now.