Half the Dead Bodies on Everest are Motivated

I have recently heard someone say something that completely changed the way I think about success. No fancy words, no feel good quotes. Just straight raw honest truth in surviving in today’s world.

And this, believe it or not, we all need to hear.

Motivation Actually Could Kill You

Here’s something nobody will admit: “Half the dead bodies on Everest are there because they were motivated. Use your brain first.”

Damn. But it’s true.

We were raised thinking the motivation is everything. That if you want something badly enough you’ll get it. That passion and determination will move mountains.

But here’s what they don’t tell you; motivation without a plan is just stupid confidence. It’s like running full speed toward a cliff because you really, really want to fly is what this means.

Look around. Failing businesses, empty bank accounts, broken dreams. Most of these people had motivation. What they didn’t have was common sense and a plan of action.

Stop Urs pretending That You’re Neo out of The Matrix

You’ve seen those posts. Red pill, blue pill. Quit from your job and start your business. The 9-to-5 is a trap. You need to escape the matrix.

But wait. “If you’re a first generation graduate, your graduation is your way out of the matrix.”

Think about it.

If you are the first person in your family to finish college, you are already in for a win. You already broke out. Your parents or grandparents didn’t get that degree. Those ain’t doors that were open to them. But they’re open for you now.

That’s the real escape.

And if you are looking to start a business? “Start one in the field that you studied/were employed.”

Don’t open a cafe for the sake of liking to drink coffee. Don’t start Dropshipping because some guy on YouTube made it look easy. Use what you actually know. Build on your real skills.

Food on the Table Beats a Cool Job Title

This is where it gets real: “I work for food, with food. Food is pride. Your first goal should be to get a job.”

In a world in which everybody’s building their personal brands and finding their purpose in life, this sounds almost wrong. But it’s not.

Working for money is not shallow. You do take a job because it’s paying your rent? not selling out. This entire notion that every job must satisfy your soul and must be your purpose? That’s something that only rich people can afford to believe.

“At this economy, at this situation, whatever job you have, you take it.”

Harsh? Maybe. True? Absolutely.

You know what’s worse than having a dull job? Not having any job. Failure to be able to pay for medicine. Not being able to assist your family. Not eating right, because you are too proud to take work that doesn’t excite you to work.

Money First, Feelings Later

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: “Don’t attach your emotions to your field or whatever. Money is all you love at the end of the day.”

Before you call this cold think about it. Who among us does not love the industry and therefore holds on to a terrible job? How many talented people work for passion and so get paid peanuts?

Your passion ain’t payin’ hospital bills. Your love for your field does not put your kids through school.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun with your work. It merely means don’t let your emotions towards a job title or industry stop you from making smart money decisions.

Take Your Plans out of the Sand and into Real Life

This perhaps is the truest liberating advice: “If you’re writing a life policy or motto, write it in sand, not on stone. If it doesn’t work out then erase it and change! There’s no mistake in that.”

We’re trained to stick by our plan. Make a goal and never give up. Know what exactly you want at 25 and go after it forever.

But the thing is that life doesn’t exist like that. Things change. You change. The world changes.

The winners aren’t the people with the most rude plans. They’re the people who are able to change directions when necessary. Who can acknowledge it’s not working and do something different.

Changing your mind, Failure is not an option. Staying on a track that’s obviously wrong because you told everybody about it? That’s the real failure.

What This All Means

This is not giving up on dreams. It’s about being smart.

Get motivated, but just use your brain first.

Appreciate how far you’ve already come.

Your stable then picky-get choose.

Make money before you have to make a statement.

And, when whatever is not working for you, change that. Fast.

It’s not at the end of the day, the goal is not to have an impressive story. The goal is to build a life that does indeed work. One where you can sleep at night, you can look after your people and maybe even have fun.

The rest is just noise.

What do you think? Are we seeking passion when we should be seeking stability? Let me know below.