How to build your dream future while enjoying today.

Why did you go down this route?

Whether you have it written down or as a thought in your head of tattoo on your body, you went this way for a reason. What is that reason?
Your vision, your aim is that big, audacious dream that keeps you going. Its what motivates you to turn your passion, creativity, and hard work into a meaningful way to earn a sustainable income.​

Unfortunately, many then get caught up in a hustle mode where the relentless pursuit of goals, starts to eat away at the joy of doing this everyday.

Let’s learn how can you use that vision for your future as fuel to enjoy today.

The goal of life, and your lifestyle business

The goal of music is not to get to the end of the music, but to enjoy the music as it plays.

Now replace “music” with “life”:

The goal of life is not to get to the end of the life, but to enjoy the life as it plays.

This a refreshing perspective I borrowed from the wisdom of Alan Watts. He was a British-American philosopher, writer, and speaker. And he was best known for popularizing Eastern philosophy and spirituality in the West.

He invites us to view life as a symphony – a beautiful composition where every note, every moment, is an opportunity to find joy, meaning, and purpose. It’s a reminder that having a vision is important. Yet, our focus should not be solely on reaching the final destination, but on relishing the melodious notes that make up our life’s composition.

That begs the question though: Why have a vision, if its about enjoying today?

Why not just wing it?

The Importance of a Vision

Your vision often involves financial success, personal growth, making a meaningful impact, or achieving a level of autonomy in your lifes through our life’s composition.

A composer envisions a piece of music by writing it down. As self-starter, you have to create a vision of what you want to achieve in your personal and professional life. That vision then acts as your guiding star, giving you a sense of direction and purpose. It motivates you to get out of bed (most mornings) with determination and zeal.

Your vision often involve financial success, personal growth, making a meaningful impact, or achieving a level of autonomy in your life. Those aspirations are the driving force behind your daily actions. They push you to take calculated risks and overcome challenges.

The Musical Metaphor of Life

But here’s where we can learn a valuable lesson from Alan Watts. He suggests that life is more like music than an epic quest with a grand finale.

In his metaphor, the goal of music isn’t to reach the final note; it’s to enjoy each note as it’s played. Similarly, our lives should be about savoring the daily experiences, the process, and the journey, not just the endgame.

Imagine a musician who is so obsessed with playing the last chord or note of a song that they rush through the rest of the melody. The result? A disjointed, unsatisfying performance.

In the same way, if we are only fixated on reaching that distant goal or destination, we miss out on the beautiful, soul-enriching moments along the way.

The Trap of the Hustle Mentality

It’s easy to fall into the hustle mentality, where we grind day in and day out, chasing a dream that always seems just out of reach. We push too hard, sacrificing our health, relationships, and well-being, believing that happiness and fulfillment await us when we finally achieve that ultimate goal.

But a mindset like that is a recipe for burnout, stress, and a sense of emptiness. Ask me how I know this. We become so preoccupied with the destination that we forget the very essence of our journey. We miss out on the small victories, the chance encounters, the lessons learned, and the simple joys of life.

Savor Each Note

What if you shifted your perspective, treating life as a symphony where each moment is a note to be played or listened to? Just as a musician appreciates the subtleties of each sound, you can find beauty in the details of your daily existence. When you approach life this way, the vision doesn’t become an all-consuming obsession; it becomes the backdrop to your daily improvisation.

By embracing this perspective, you can infuse your life with a sense of joy and contentment. Instead of waiting for that big payday or landing that big client to experience happiness, you can find it in the present moment. You can relish the feeling of creating something, of serving others, of enjoying the freedom and autonomy you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Creating a Symphony

So, how do you put this into practice? Start by creating your vision and setting your direction. But don’t make that the sole focus of your life. Remember that the journey is at least as important as the destination. Like a composer crafting a masterpiece, you can design your days with intention, making each one a note in the symphony that is your life.

Take time to appreciate the small wins and learn from the challenges. Connect with the people who matter to you, and let their notes harmonize with yours.
Also, find moments of stillness, like the pause between musical phrases, to reflect on your progress and reset your intentions. Embrace the idea that you’re creating a beautiful composition with your life, and it doesn’t have to always build up into a grand finale.

Conclusion

In the world of self-improvement and solopreneurship in particular, the pressure to hustle and grind is real, but it’s important to remember that life is a race to the finish line. Just as Alan Watts likened life to music, we should embrace the rhythm and flow of our own existence.

Your vision is your guiding star, but it’s the journey that enriches your soul. So, set your goals, to give yourself something to focus on. But don’t let them blind you to the beauty of today.

Not every day has to be epic either; not every note needs to be loud or dazzling. Some days, the music is soft, a gentle lullaby, and that’s okay. It’s in those quieter moments that you reflect to find the subtleties and nuances that add depth and richness to your symphony. Let it eb and flow.

Remember that every day, every moment, is an essential note in your composition. Your vision acts as the conductor, guiding you through the performance, but it’s the way you play each note that defines the beauty of your unique masterpiece.

​
Keep composing, keep playing. I’m rooting for you! 🙌