Target-areas

Igniting the Fire Within: Living with Urgency and Passion

Ahoy, my fellow adventurers! I want to talk about something near and dear to everyone’s heart: A ships’s rudder. Yes, that’s right, that very small unassuming piece of a boat that’s often overlooked and undervalued. I know it’s not the glamorous, sexy part of a boat but it’s the AMAZING unsung hero of any functioning water vessel (and probably deserves its own action movie franchise). Without a rudder, a ship is directionless, adrift, and arguably worthless. But with it, a ship can stay its course even in the face of strong winds and turbulent waters. 

A boat at sea without a rudder is completely lost, directionless, and entirely at the mercy of the waves. It’s a sad sight to behold, and unfortunately, a tragic metaphor for how many people live their lives. They react like a pinball,  bouncing from one obstacle to the next, with no clear sense of direction or purpose. They get pushed around and are aimlessly drifting. Similarly, in life, having a clear sense of direction and purpose are essential. Without it, we’re liable to get swept away by the whims of our circumstance and find ourselves way off course.

This concept is important to consider because just like a ship without a rudder, we can easily lose our direction in life and get carried away by external forces, circumstances outside our control, and the distracting opinions of others. By having crystal clear awareness of our own principles, values, and goals, we’ll have a clear sense of direction to steer and adjust our lives in a positive and fulfilling direction. Making small adjustments along the way that can help us stay on course and make progress towards our desired destination.

We don’t just need direction in life, we also desperately need URGENCY! Now hold on to your hats, this next part is shocking. Of the average 78 years that we’re alive to walk this earth, we’ll end up spending a whopping 97.32% of it snoozing, munching, hustling, doing our taxes, or sitting on the porcelain throne! Here’s the actual breakdown:

• 33% Sleeping: According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults should aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Assuming an average of 8 hours of sleep per day, that would be approximately 33% of a person’s day. 
• 36.8 % Working: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American full-time worker works 8.5 hours per day. Assuming a typical 5-day workweek, over 78 years would be a total of approximately 123,660 days, roughly 36.8% of their life.
• 4.9% Eating: Assuming three meals per day with an average of 30 minutes per meal, 1.5 hours per day eating, over 78 years would total approximately 33,930 hours eating, roughly 4.9% of their life.
• 2% Bathroom: Assuming a person spends around 30 minutes per day on these activities, then over 78 years they would have spent a total of approximately 11,385 hours. This would be roughly 2% of their life.
• 1% Taxes:  The average time required to complete and file a Form 1040 (the most common tax form for individual taxpayers in the US) was approximately 8 hours a year. This includes the time spent on record keeping, tax planning, completing the form, and submitting it. Assuming a lifespan of 78 years and an average starting age of 20 for tax filing would mean a total of around 624 hours, or 26 days, spent on taxes over the course of a lifetime.
• 8.33% House Management: The average individual spends about 2 hours per day on household tasks such as cleaning, laundry, organizing, and maintenance. This would amount to about 14 hours per week, or roughly 728 hours per year. Assuming a lifespan of 78 years,  is a total of approximately 56,784 hours spent managing the home over the course of a lifetime.

• 11.29% Child Care: Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, parents with children under 18 years old spend an average of 2.7 hours per day on primary childcare activities, such as feeding, bathing, and playing with their children.For a lifespan of 78 years and an average of 2.7 hours per day spent managing kids, this would amount to around 77,175 hours spent managing kids over the course of a lifetime.

So what’s the point? On average, we only have 2.68% left of our lives to spend engaging in additional activities that we’re passionate about (like hanging out with friends, exercising,  planning our lives, or volunteering). That’s it! If your entire 10 fingers represented your whole life, 2.68% would be around the thickness of your pinky fingernail.

Another thought-provoking and sobering reality, is that roughly 50 years of our lives are spent working at a job to enjoy 11 years of retirement. (If we retire at 67, the average retirement age, and have a life expectancy of 78 years, it 11 years of freedom (without considering any physical and health limitations that we will all certainly experience at that age).  It’s humbling to realize and especially in contrast with most people’s current priorities. For some, this s motivating enough to become a human bulldozer willing plow through any obstacle or challenge. But for others it can be so depressing it makes Eeyore seem like an energizer bunny.

Each person’s situation is unique, but it doesn’t change the fact that we’re all racing against the clock. Every moment counts, every decision we make determines whether we’re contributing to something significant or aimlessly adrift to nowhere. Instead of being overwhelmed, we can use a sense of urgency and  motivation to maximize our time, work diligently, follow our passions,  and construct a life that brings us satisfaction where we can relish every moment we have remaining.

A ship’s rudder is roughly 2.5% of the total size of the boat. One tiny part ultimately determines the direction and fate of the journey! Our intentional ‘free time’ on earth is only a small fraction of our entire lives, but what we do with it directly determines the experience and outcome of our journey.

Let me be honest for a moment – are you really living your best life right now or are you stuck being a sad trombone solo? Are you drifting aimlessly, just trying to survive each day? Are you lost in a dense fog without a compass? Without a rudder?

Life is a precious and delicate gift that should be treasured, but sadly, many of us miss out on the full experience. Fear, doubt, and putting things off hold us back from achieving our true potential. Far too many people find themselves stuck in dead-end jobs, unfulfilling relationships, or destructive habits that drain their energy and happiness. Breaking free from these patterns can be a constant struggle, leaving many feeling hopeless and stuck in a downward spiral. It’s a bleak reality that many face every day.

It’s time to stop being distracted and making excuses! No matter what season of life we’re in, it’s time to re-adjust the rudder and take better control for the direction of our lives! Just like a ship’s captain carefully chooses the orientation of the rudder, we need to carefully plan and make the most of where our lives are headed. We can’t afford to waste a single second, because our limited time is SO precious and quickly running out. Whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones, pursuing our passions deeper, or spreading kindness like glitter at a craft fair, we need to take action and be VERY intentional about where we set our rudders and have urgency to sail towards a brighter tomorrow!

Imagine waking up every day feeling energized and excited about the possibilities that lay ahead. Imagine feeling fulfilled by your work, relationships, and personal growth. This is not just a fantasy, it’s a reality waiting for you to claim it. So what are you waiting for? Start building the life of your dreams today, because tomorrow is not promised.

Unleash your true potential and live the life you’ve always dreamed of. Don’t let fear, doubt, or uncertainty hold you back. It’s time to take charge and make intentional choices that align with your values and passions. You have the power to create something extraordinary, and there’s no better time than now to take bold steps forward to elevate your life. Remember, it’s not about the number of years you spend on this earth, it’s about the impact you make and the legacy you leave behind. So go ahead, start today, and let your light shine bright!