The 10 Year Challenge that was sweeping the internet made me realize that 2008 was literally like a few minutes ago. Time flies!
“It seems like yesterday that you were this size!?!” I remember my relatives and family members would always say this to me and I’d always think to myself, “what the hell are they talking about?”
Now I know.
In 2008, I was 30 years old. I had a midlife crisis right then and there. I turned 30, was married for two years and had my first child on the way. I was a mess. I didn't know what I wanted in my life. My mindset wasn’t clear on that. I remember thinking to myself, “I should've been a lot farther in life than I am right now.”
Where I was then is light years behind where I am now when it comes to being a family man, husband and my career path.
In ‘08, I was in between jobs. Many jobs. I didn't know what I wanted to do but I did know that I wanted to begin doing something that meant something in my life. I wanted something that was going to bring me happiness and something that wasn’t all about the money.
I was a substitute teacher and then became a paraprofessional at a special ed school. While that was fulfilling, it just didn’t pay the bills. In fact, it barely paid the bills which meant we were always broke.
It took time but as time moved on, I eventually got tired of constantly being broke - living check to check all for the sake of loving my job and making a difference.
The fact remained that I wanted to become a multimillionaire but I didn’t purposely go after it.
After extenuating circumstances with a student in 2015, I decided to finally go after what I wanted. Not only to make millions of dollars but to actually help a lot of people with what I was naturally good at doing and that’s improve people’s lives by shifting their mindset.
I’VE ALWAYS BEEN GOOD AT THIS. It’s a natural gift that has been given to me. It’s in me to help other people no matter what. I always root for the underdog. It’s woven into my DNA.
The 10 Year Challenge was a great self-reflection for me. It helped me to realize that 10 years goes by in five minutes. That if you keep messing around, years will fly by in a matter of minutes. If you don’t take control of your life, life will take control of you. This is where it’s time for you to get clear on what you want.
If my 40 year old self could talk to my 30 year old self, I’d tell 30 year old Fred to stop messing around and get a solid plan of attack. Be purposeful about my actions and who cares what anyone else thinks. Create a plan to succeed and go after it because five minutes later, it’ll be 2019.
I want you to do the same. If you want to become an entrepreneur but you don’t know where to start, send me a message on my website or DM me anywhere you see this article - @TheRealFredLee.
It’s important that you start now! Five minutes from now, it’ll be 2029.
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