Blog | Justin Mulvaney

They aren’t the same, although they can intersect. It’s easy for us to assume that because we feel challenged, we are fulfilled. This isn’t the case, much as being busy doesn’t mean we’re having an impact.

At different times in our lives, it makes sense to lean in one direction or another. Sometimes we’ll do unfulfilling work that challenges us for the sake of growth, and other times we’ll do unfulfilling work that doesn’t challenge us because it matters.

If you have to ask “does this challenge me?”, it doesn’t. Freely substitute “challenge” with “fulfill”.

It’s okay to not have both or to lean to one side. Issues arise when we aren’t aware of and honest about the distinction between the two.

…is best done without deadlines or expectations.

Many who become passionately immersed in something don’t get there through some framework or methodology. They stumble upon it. They explore until they find something that keeps them up at night and makes them excited to get out of bed the next morning.

Your calling is not found by forcing it. You won’t find it by setting SMART or DUMB goals for yourself. You find it by adventuring. By exploring. By blasting yourself out of your current comfort zone.

You might find glimpses in your day to day, but only by exploring those glimpses can you find passion.

When you take home your paycheck, what is that money for, aside from necessities? If you are buying security, security to do what?

Walt Disney once said “we don’t make movies to make money, we make money to make movies.”

What are you making your money for?

I don’t think patience ever comes easily, especially for dreamers. It’s easy to impatiently rage toward the next checkpoint believing that it’ll get us closer to the life we’re looking for.

The thing is that the checkpoint is always moving, especially if you’re a dreamer. As we grow the ceiling of possibility continually elevates, making us crave more and more from our lives.

It’s important to learn not to confound that checkpoint with contentment. Important, and incredibly difficult. Balancing ambition and present state appreciation can be brutally difficult.

-Naval Ravikant