Earlier this week, I went to check out a new barber to find someone who can cut the top of the hair. Usually, barbers can either cut the top but do not do an excellent job at the fade or can do a great fade but are not good at cutting the top. It’s a blessing to find a barber that can do both.
As Adam got started on the haircut, I shared my story of traveling abroad and what I do for a living while also asking questions about him.
Adam has been cutting hair for five years, and he said he likes to read old books because they provide many valuable insights on life, and said that people should read one of his favorite philosophy books, The Kingdom of God Is Within You.
While we continued to talk about philosophy, he said that people are the project, but most people don’t realize it. I guess I never thought of it like that, but this is what I’ve been doing for my entire life.
I went into the Marines to help change my life. I got degrees because I believe they would help me out. They helped, but if I didn’t have my GI Bill, I would have been drowning in student loan debt and wouldn’t have the flexibility to do what I’m doing now.
I’ve been to public speaking conferences and done improv to help with my communication skills. I use Grammarly to help me write these blog posts to help me find my errors, and a previous partner taught me how to proofread my writing. I was a personal trainer because I wanted to understand how to do an effective workout for myself and others.
When it comes to financial planning, I’m pretty much a master because there aren’t that many issues that I come across, and I don’t know the answer. If I don’t know the answer, I have a network to reach out to and get the guidance, but I’m still always taking continuing education credits for my profession.
So the next thing I’m working on is Data Analytics because I think there are many opportunities to help me and my clients make better decisions. Now I’m consuming textbooks and articles on data analytics, and I’m taking the Google Analytics Certification course on Coursera.
I work so hard on myself because I gain more control, flexibility, and options in my life when I do. Another thing I’m trying to do is reach the outer limits of my human potential like George Raveling says he is trying to do.
Every time I level up my skills and mindset, it clarifies my life and shows me the next step. This is a big reason I love to read because they provide clues to help me unlock my potential.
To do this work, though, you have to treat your mind and body as a project. You are continually refining different parts of your life so that you become a work of art. Adam was a musician before he started cutting hair, and I told him that the biggest thing that makes writing shine is editing. It’s like the Blaise Pascal quote, “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.”
Adam said as a musician, he was constantly looking to make the music cleaner and the lyrics crisper, but without ruining the experience. Adding too much or making something too simple is an easy mistake to make as an amateur.
I look at old stuff I did in the past, and I’m embarrassed by what I wrote, but I know it’s OK because I’m not that person anymore. I grew as a person because I’m constantly working on myself, and this took time. I also know that I can spend too much time working on something, so there needs to be disciplined to know when enough is enough. I usually tell myself that I’m going to edit something around five times before I ship it out, but it can be more depending on the project. I just need to know the situation I’m in.
No one knows how much time they have left on this planet, so I’m going to enjoy it as much as possible. For me, this is finding the right mixture between working on myself and trying out new experiences. I need to take these breaks at times because they rejuvenate me and give me new ideas. If I didn’t have this fantastic conversation with Adam and took the chance to find a new barber, I wouldn’t be writing these sentences right now. I also went to the Oregon coast with my cousin, and we got to experience the Oregon coast and talk about life and our family dynamics.
Working on yourself will be frustrating at times, and you might not see the progress you want, but realize that great things take time to build up. Growing too fast causes weak roots, and the first major storm will knock over that tree. An Oak tree can take 20 to 50 years to mature, but its roots will spread out as much as 90 feet from the trunk, and no storm will be able to knock it down as long as it’s healthy.
So have hope and patience while you work on yourself. You’ll eventually be a highly polished project, but remember that there is always room for improvement and not become complacent in your self-development.
You got a lifetime, but each person’s timeline will be unique, so don’t waste it.
P.S.
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P.S.S
Adam did a great job with the top of my hair, but could do better with the fade. Oh well, I’m only here in Oregon until November.
