The Constant Fight Against Being Overwhelmed

We're trying to do a lot here, in this life. Whether that's just to create the life we want for ourselves, to build a new company based on our passions, or to love those around us as much as they deserve. So we develop plans on how to make that happen.

The only problem is that our plan is five pages long.

It consists of building a place for ourselves to be seen, meeting people, networking, learning about our craft, all the while keeping ourselves as involved in our social circles as possible and working to make sure that we are keeping our bodies healthy.

Sounds like a tall order, so how do we keep ourselves sane? How do we deal with being overwhelmed?

Ryan BonaparteApril 23, 2014Stress, Motivation, Quitting, Work, Priorities, Success, Limits

There Is No Perfect

In my last post, I referred to Will Smith's advice on building a wall, an analogy for accomplishing a huge task looming in front of us. I said take small perfect steps to accomplish your goals.

What do I mean by perfect?

Perfect is somewhat of a loaded word, because it implies that we can do something perfectly. It suggests that if we do something perfectly, if we write that perfect email, or land that perfect job interview, or we get that perfect opportunity, that everything will just work out.

The chances of us do anything perfectly is exactly nil, and even if we could do one thing perfectly, the rest is not going to just work out.

So what am I really saying? I'm saying to do the absolute best you can.

Ryan BonaparteApril 1, 2014Motivation, Limits, Perfect, Real, Patience

Selectivity Breeds Success

Despite numerous attempts, I've learned that it is in fact impossible to be the best at everything and know everything.

Actually, it's almost impossible to be the best at anything.

However, it's not necessary to the best in order to be successful, whatever your definition of success is. You just need to be good enough. Good enough to do what you want and actually enjoy it.

PopularRyan BonaparteNovember 8, 2013Success, Choice, Life, Limits

You Don't Need A Degree To Be Something

The other day, I was thinking about how I defined myself and how much my education influenced that. I am an engineer because I went to school to learn how to be an engineer, graduated with an engineering degree, and I currently work as an engineer.

And then I thought, that although I was an engineer by education, I was also an author. That came not from education, but from action.

From there I began to think of numerous other professions that don't require more than a bit of learning and the will to break into them.

Ryan BonaparteNovember 1, 2013Education, Practice, Career, Learn, Work, Limits

Get Angry and Then Get Smart

"You're never going to find your passion."

"You're never going to make the necessary changes in your life to make that passion your reality."

When you hear words like that, you should get angry. Real angry. You may feel frustrated right now in your current situation, but never is a long time, and who is to tell you what your future holds?

Statements like those may float around in your head, or you may hear it coming from people you know and thought had your best interests at heart.

If you're really going to make that change and introduce passion into your life, either as your career or as a hobby, you have to be able to take comments like these and get angry at them. Get angry at the idea that someone (including yourself) has the nerve to say you can't do something.

PopularRyan BonaparteOctober 7, 2013Angry, Smart, Limits, Learn, Goals

Are you really open to change?

Are you really open to change? I'm not referring to a different cereal for breakfast, though for some people that really is a huge change. Don't get in between me and my Honey Bunches of Oats.

I'm thinking bigger. Bolder. What if tomorrow your job just suddenly vanished? Would you be able to cope, to regroup to come up with a strategy to redefine your career?

Be open to change. When it comes time to following your passion, change is inevitable. Whether that's changing your job, where you live, or even just changing your mindset, change is a part of it. Embrace it.

Ryan BonaparteSeptember 18, 2013Change, Career, Life, Limits, Quitting

Create A Positive Environment

In order to pursue your passion, it can really help to develop a positive environment around you. In particular, get rid of drains, things that suck the life out of you.

That could mean removing certain people from your life, leaving jobs that take everything from you and give nothing in return, or moving into a different living arrangement that doesn't constantly cause you stress.

Now, that's not to say that everything has to be perfect before you start on your journey, but it definitely helps to get rid of as many negative things as possible. I've seen people completely drained after a long day and they have nothing left to give to their passions. What are the chances that whatever strength they are able to muster will allow them to build anything more than a small hobby?

Ryan BonaparteAugust 30, 2013Positive, Connect, Limits, Comfortable, Real, Environment

Find Your Limits and Push Past Them

I've found that often we aren't really forced out of our comfort zones. We have a few trials and tribulations here and there, but in our day to day lives, we often find ourselves pretty much doing what is expected of us and then succeeding at it.

That's really not a bad thing.

Imagine a life in which everyday we fought to make ourselves heard, or we had to work incredibly hard just to get by. Fortunately for most of us, this isn't the case. This is pretty much why we work hard to begin with, why we go to school, and why we plan for the future.

But...that doesn't mean we shouldn't push ourselves every now and then.

Ryan BonaparteJuly 29, 2013Limits, Life, Exercise, Hobbies