The Truth Behind A Mid-Life Crisis

We’ve all heard of it, right? A Mid-Life Crisis.

A big problem in many of our lives is we wake up one day dreading going to work because we were forced into a career before we’re legally old enough to buy a beer.

I’m not suggesting we drink excessive amounts of alcohol before making bold career choices… But most of us in our younger years have a rough idea of what we want out of life but no real plan of how we can achieve those goals. 

In our pursuit of fulfilment, we often confuse “END” goals with a “MEANS” goals. Both of these are extremely different, yet very important.

Something I wish more people could discover early on in life, and what I want to share is the difference between the two.

So here goes…

Understand this:

I left school at a young age and started a Plumbing apprenticeship because everyone told me I needed to get something behind me, like a trade or degree. But if you asked me what I really wanted to do in life I would have said I want to be able to travel the world. Or surf the worlds best waves, and live a simple life on my own terms. 

– Completing my plumbing apprenticeship to have a trade, was a “means” goal.

– Having the freedom to travel all over the world and live the life of my dreams, was my ultimate “end” goal.

It’s right here that many get stuck. 

They get so caught up on “means” goals that they never actually reach their “end” goal.

A “means” goal after I have finished plumbing apprenticeship would be to start a business so I can make enough money and build a lifestyle to support my “end” goal of world travel.

That means goal leads to… Needing more employees to build up my business, then needing someone to manage my employees.

Do you see where I’m going with this?

I am varying off in an entirely different direction to where I want to be in life. 

More employees would mean more responsibility and more hours. A vortex of “means” goals take over eventually leaving the “end” goal a distant memory.

This is why we have a world of “mid-life crisis” going on, leaving 30-50-year-olds scratching their heads wondering what they are doing with their lives.. (you know who you are)

When I was told this I learned we must skip the means, and focus on the end goal at all times.

Here’s how you discover your end goal

Ask yourself these three questions:

What do I want to experience?
How do I want to grow?
How do I want to contribute?

I believe if you were to dedicate your life to experience, growth, and contribution you will live a more fulfilled life than 95% of people on the planet.

“Deep down inside we have 2 great spiritual needs. The need to grow ourselves & the need to contribute” ~ Tony Robbins 

Once you know what you truly want, you better do whatever it takes to get it. We don’t want you having a midlife crisis now, do we?

Focus on the END goal first… Then figure out the means 

Nathan, World Nate

p.s money is a means goal… it’s important, but its a means goal

p.ss I am not a guru… All words are simply my own thoughts on this topic I find interesting