creative maverick

It might seem strange to bring death into a blog about doing what you love but in fact it is at the very heart of the topic.

When I was a 5 month old baby, my parents took my brother and I out in the family car to visit some relatives. Just a few minutes from our home, we were hit head-on by a young drunk driver who had lost control and was on the wrong side of the road.

Both my parents were injured. My father died in hospital 10 days later from complications with his injuries. It was 43 years ago today. He had just turned 34.

Losing my father before I was even old enough to know him has coloured my whole life. It made it abundantly and painfully clear that life can end at any moment.

With this stark reality in mind, now answer this question: Do you really want to spend another few years doing some crappy work in the hope that you can do what you really like later?

Here’s the real message of this blog and my work in general (and it’s as much a reminder to me as to you):

STOP PISSING YOUR LIFE AWAY

What do you really want your life to be about? Start it right now in some small way. If you don’t know what you want, your mission is to find out. It’s less important that you complete your work mission than that you’re engaged in it. It’s in the being in play that you will find salvation.

When you are fully engaged in the right project, you will easily attract others around you who are inspired by the same aims. And if the worst happens and you don’t get to complete your work yourself, others will pick up the reigns.

Do what really matters. Start small. Start right now.