8/10/2013–Future priorities should affect present behavior.
I know I’ll want a family in the future, so what can I do now to shape my situation in a way that will benefit me most later on? If I know I’m going to have to pay for school next year, of course I’ll start saving now. Anything I do now for a future benefit is amplified by the amount of time between now and when it happens. This is one reason I’m sure I’d like to change my work. I know that I’ll have a reason to not work weekends/week nights (i.e. family) in the future.
So I have two choices: 1) change now or 2) change later. If I change later, like when or after I have a family, I’ll be, maybe, starting over in a new role, at least. It may even require a new company or location. I’ll have a great investment of time required to get comfortable in my new position, and as a result less time for my priority. Perhaps I don’t like the job and spend the first five years of my kid’s life wondering what I’m doing. Another option is to change now, or as soon as reasonably possible. If I do, at the point which my priority changes, I’ll be (maybe) established in a new position. I’ll at least have a good idea of what other options I have and which ones I’d be good at. I’m planning on returning to school, so I’ll be graduated and working before I “need” to be. I might’ve even worked up to a position that I excel in and can do in a few number of hours/week. I may also realize that I don’t want a family any time soon and open a restaurant. Either way, the sooner I stop investing in something that isn’t my priority, the greater the payout once it’s realized. As of of now, I’m going to apply to Butler, IU, and Purdue for the MBA program. I’d prefer Butler as it allows me to begin in Spring which equals an extra seven months of time spent toward my priorities as opposed to IU and Purdue, for which I’d have to wait until the Fall. If not school, I’d like to be working in an HR position for a small (<150 person) company.
QOTW: “If nobody dies in the first 5 minutes, it’s not a good movie.” – Maili
?FNW: Do I see Maili again? No
10/14/2017 review: yes, priority-based investment is still my preferred way to spend time, money, and effort. Today, this means I take time to rest. I have tried out various hobbies and sought experiences that I no longer put off for “someday”. I’m playing music through my work, which I’d never have though would happen. All of these things were made possible by answering the question, “based on my life purpose, what’s the most likely near-term priority that I can prepare for right now?” The best part is it only takes an afternoon to gather a few helpful ideas.