Reacting to life changes and making something

I've always fancied the idea of making something, but I've also tended to let the idea rattle around in my head rather than actually get off my arse and do something about it.

I was snapped out of my constant procrastination by the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the Tohoku region of Japan on 11 March 2011, which scared the hell out of me and made me seriously question what I wanted out of life. I quickly came to the conclusion that I didn't want to be stuck in an office doing a job I didn't particularly enjoy, and I also knew I wanted to do something connected to my adopted home, the place I love.

Screw it, let's do it

Sir Richard Branson, my namesake and a man I greatly admire

Some people are only too willing to tell you you can't do something or your ideas are stupid. All too often, we listen and scrap a perfectly good idea.

Why? Are we really sure that we can't do it, or are we listening to people who are sure that they can't do it? There's a huge difference.

Focus on why, not what

A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others. - Ayn Rand

All too often we are pressured into placing labels on what we do, what we think and who we are, but focusing on labels instead of purpose can distract us from the things we are not only passionate about, but also great at. We shouldn't be asking ourselves what we do, but why we do it. Read this post by Danny Choo (Danny is not only a great bloke, but one of the few truly inspirational people I have met). I agree with pretty much everything Danny says in his post: the need to follow your passion and to work hard for what you believe in. We don't have to conform to stereotypes or slot into the pigeon holes we believe have been built for us. Ignore labels Labels create barriers: they focus on the what rather than the why. People tell us we should be something - that we need a label. We need to be a writer, a designer, a doctor, a miner, an engineer, a teacher...the list goes on. But telling people what we are and what we do doesn't explain why we do it.

Ask why, not what Ask yourself this: why do you do the work you do? Does it inspire you? Does it inspire others? Does it help others? Is it what you really want to do? If not, why are you doing it? A reality of life is responsibility: we have to pay bills, we have to eat, we have to take care of those we love. But these things should be fuelling our passions rather than stifling them. We should want to work harder to make our lives better, rather than settling into a complacent, depressing rut. Another reality of life is that there is no perfect time to decide 'screw the 9-5, I'm going solo!' Life is a balancing act: balancing the risks with the rewards, the wins with the losses. It's not about coming out on top or accumulating titles and labels, it's about motivation and desire.  Focus on why, not what.