Comments on: Consider the Alternative

By: How To: Move to San Diego | The Good Badger

How To: Move to San Diego | The Good Badger — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:56:02 +0000

[...] inevitability. Don’t let set-backs derail you (I love train metaphors). Take a second to consider the alternative of not following through with your dream and find what will motivate you to move in that [...]

By: The New Resume | The Good Badger

The New Resume | The Good Badger — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:55:15 +0000

[...] in every instance, but give it some consideration, and don’t shy away because it seems like too much work. Too much work is better than a compromised [...]

By: zachrd99

zachrd99 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:07:45 +0000

You hit the nail on the head. Fear and pleasure are what dictate our actions and run our lives- but much more so fear. The key, is to leverage it to work to your advantage.

If someone’s fear of starting a new running regimen is that they’ll put in all that effort with no guaranteed results, they’re focus is misguided (not to mention using an illogical defense, but that’s neither here nor there). Instead of using the fear of what could go wrong if you do start running, focus on the fear of what will go wrong if you don’t start running. It’s objectively a good thing to feel healthier, have stronger lung capacity, reduce the risk of heart issues, and lose weight (at least for 95% of America). The alternative to these options should be the sort of fear that drives you.

Same story for someone’s career. I realize nothing is entirely black and white, life is a giant shade of gray that we attach our own meanings to, but you have to ask yourself, would you be happy doing that job 15, 25, 40 years down the road? If yes, then keep pursuing, you always have the option to change your mind. If not, then the correct frame of mind is to look at working a job you don’t like for the rest of your days as being the risk, and pursuing your passion as an adventure. It sounds cliche, but determination and passion are the two greatest predictors to success in any field (with a minimum threshold of an innate attribute set). As long as you love what you do, and don’t mind working harder than those around you in doing it, you’ll get to where you need to be.

Too many people work jobs they hate. They need to stop doing that.

“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs

By: derF

derF — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:16:06 +0000

good badger — what a phenomenal post. i swear you were writing TO me (with both running and the career path). i think one thing we can’t ignore, however, is fear. fear of failing. if someone runs for 2 months and doesnt see the results they want…they’ll feel unaccomplished and let down, and will probably wallow in their own self pity and most likely never run again (well, the weaker folks haha). on the latter example — if one is in a “good” career that isn’t necessarily their passion but still enjoyable, and then they leave their stability to follow their passion (something that isn’t a certain success)…the failure could drop them lower, much lower than where they were in their mediocre career path…what advice do you have for someone considering a change in career or wanting to to start yogging?

By: jim

jim — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:57:20 +0000

I was going to read this, but I’m too busy setting goals.. I will however set a goal to read this if I haven’t prioritized other goals to take its place.

Got to go. Where’s my list?

Jim

By: Michele

Michele — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:31:52 +0000

I felt too sleepy to post a response to this great, thoughtful post but I truly considered the alternative. Thanks for reminding us to reconsider the stories we tell ourselves about the imagined outcomes of our decisions. You’re right on!
Michele