Throw Out Your Goals
Brad Pitt. A friend on mine told me a story about him. We were talking about how we’re surrounded by people who’ve not only chased their dreams, but have achieved them. What most people don’t see is their perseverance. Pitt had dropped out of college, moved to the city of angels, did a lot of odd jobs like wearing a chicken suit to promote El Pollo Loco for years, before he landed his first major roll in Thelma & Louise. Now he’s one of the biggest movie stars in the world.
There was a study done on a high school class. The study followed late into their adult lives. It found those who stuck to one career path had earned and attained more than their combined classmates who didn’t. This story has floated around the self-help industry for many years, and is rumored to be just a folk tale. But its prevalence tells us a truth.
I was talking to a friend, and she’d reconnected with one of her long time classmates who works for Coke. This person is about ten years younger than I, but has climbed much higher on the corporate ladder. I’d always moved from job to job. She’s worked for Coke since high school, about eight years now, and illustrates an important point about consistency.
A few years ago, I went to a Renaissance Faire. I love them. My girlfriend at the time and I were watching a turtle race. Each person would place bets on a turtle of their choice. The race started. Contestants yelled and screamed, urging their turtle to crawl faster. One turtle, slow and steady, made great headway and was literally one step away from crossing the finish line. Then it stopped with one foot stuck in the air. All it had to do was place the foot down, and, bam, it won. It just froze. Another turtle from behind took the win.
So what’s the point? Once you find your passion in life, follow through with it. Whether success is truly overnight—it does happen—or takes time, love the process. If you love to act, go into every audition and act! If you love to work on projects for your company, or love reaching sales goals, go in every day and love working.
For the process is really what we love. The goals matter little. Why? Well what happens once an actor becomes a huge movie star like Pitt? What happens to the sales executive who reaches their ultimate sales goal? They continue to act, continue to sell, continue their work. All of them display a high level of dedication (knowing what they want), focus (loving what they do), and take each step toward their dreams (doing what they love).
Love your work. The goal will come.
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I think one of the main reasons Brad Pitt became such a popular success is because of his looks. People succeed not just because of perseverance, but because other people like what they have to offer. And that’s a matter of pure luck. Brad Pitt has good genes that make him attractive. He’s lucky.
And that study doesn’t mean a thing even if it is true. Earning more money doesn’t equal success. Rich people can be just as miserable as anyone else. Besides, some people, such as me, have multiple interests. Pursuing a single career path isn’t for me. There’s no universal definition of success, we each define it for ourselves.
Yes, we should all try to do what we love. But doing what you love doesn’t guarantee that others will love it too and want to pay you for it. Loving to act doesn’t make you a good actor.
And btw, “everyday” is an adjective. Your copy should read, “… go in every day and love working.” Pet peeve.
Brad Pitt is good looking. But if you’ve been to LA, there are about a million good looking people. Being good looking doesn’t explain people who aren’t traditionally good looking like Jack Black, or people who fit the average height of a leading man like Al Pacino who’s 5′6″.
You’re right about success. Success is defined differently by different people. Sometimes it’s money. Sometimes it’s being happy. Sometimes it’s raising a healthy child.
And you’re right. There are no guarantees in life, except death. Even taxes are guaranteed to be paid if, for example, you’re homeless.
I appreciate your response and grammar lesson. Continued learning is always a good choice in life.
because your a good friend of mine and writing is important to you….look at the first line…typo…instead of “on” it should be “of”. It’s just because I care and millions of people could be looking at your website at any time!!