Don’t worry about “figuring it all out”

Satisfaction isn’t the result of a destination.

It’s the result of a journey.

“Figuring it all out” isn’t the end goal.

The goal is to have a project that allows you to be continuously learning, experimenting, and growing.

We feel sad or disappointed when we don’t have something to look forward to.

If we’ve “figured it out,” we no longer have something to look forward to.

Instead of trying to make it look like you know what you’re doing — share truthfully about your process.

People crave authenticity.

And it’s never been easier to stand out, simply by being honest.

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A Purposeful Project

The real ones know that it’s not about having it all figured out, but rather about being in a constant “purposeful project mode” that brings meaning to your life.

We get bored when we have it all figured out.

When you “beat the game” (aka finish all of the challenges given), that game usually starts collecting dust on the shelf.

A lack of challenge = a lack of purpose.

Instead of trying to beat the game, immerse yourself in the challenges until results are achieved.

• Are you physically unhappy? Learn and experiment with nutrition and exercise.
• Are you struggling mentally? Explore options to find what brings contentment.
• Are you struggling financially? Learn to save, learn to invest, learn new skills, and learn to sell your knowledge.

Our minds trick us into thinking we’ll be happy once we’ve achieved X.

But once you’ve achieved X — you’ll want to achieve Y.

And that’s not a bad thing.

It’s called growth.

And we’re wired to consistently better ourselves.

Thinking and acting this way doesn’t mean you’re discontent — it means you crave improvement.

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Striving for “Something More”

For years I tried to suppress my desire for “something more.”

I thought it was just a never-ending desire that would never be fulfilled…

…“So why bother seeking it?”

These years were the most difficult years of my life.

I thought I could settle down for a bit and enjoy the comfort of a 9-5 job.

It allowed me to learn for a year or two — but once that “challenge level” was capped, complacency crept in quickly.

I had “beat the game.”

It became boring.

Each new day was much of the same.

That constant nagging for something new never stopped.

It didn’t subside. It didn’t vanish.

And that’s when I knew I needed to keep going.

From a societal perspective, I had it “figured out.”

I was a college dropout who was working at a reputable agency doing what I loved.

I was making a decent salary while most of my peers were still completing their college degrees.

Yet, this wasn’t the answer.

I felt more misaligned with my purpose than ever before.

This was when I realized “figuring it out” wasn’t what people make it out to be.

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Challenge = Purpose

Instead, I realized that the goal was to continue to have a goal.

Without a goal you don’t have a challenge.

And without a challenge you don’t have a purpose.

If you want to continue to grow, you have to listen to the voice inside your head.

The one that keeps you moving.

The one that dreams big.

The one that knows.

A practical way to do this is to:

• Work a job until you’ve learned everything you can. Then move on.
• Live somewhere to make connections and surround yourself with new perspectives. Then try somewhere else.
• Finish a project, achieve a result, and then take the next step towards your next project.
• Learn a skill. Test it in the real world. Achieve results with that skill. And then learn another one that compliments it.

If you aren’t continuing to seek new challenges, you are losing your purpose in life.

Most people are afraid of uncertainty and challenge — yet complain they have nothing to look forward to.

Life becomes meaningless if you aren’t seeking something.

Society pegs success as “figuring it out.”

But those who are stoked realize it’s about the journey, not the destination.

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Figuring it out is not the goal — it’s the nightmare.

Dreams die at your “destination.”

If you aren’t seeking, you’re suffering.

So don’t be afraid to continue seeking your curiosities.

They may just lead you to your next purposeful project.

–Eric Pfohl