Embrace Every Day: A Guide to Living Beyond the Weekend
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Chapter 1: Rethinking the Holiday Mentality
The desire for a holiday seems distant to me now. But what does “holiday” truly signify? Let’s start with a solid definition:
During my time in large corporations and academia, my perspective was straightforward:
- Work diligently for a paycheck.
- Relish weekends to indulge in personal freedom.
- Take long vacations to recharge before returning to the grind.
Consequently, generations have spent a significant portion of their lives in jobs that left them unfulfilled. They found themselves living for weekends and a few vacation weeks each year, depending on their geographical location.
A job should serve as a platform for contributing to society, and everyone has a role to play. However, Gary Vaynerchuk insists: "Your life is misaligned."
Achieving recognition as a thought leader over the last decade, Gary has provided unique insights into societal norms. In interviews from 2017 to 2019, he highlighted how many settle for roles they dislike and live for Friday nights, only to endure hangovers on weekends and dread returning to work on Mondays. His message is clear:
If your existence revolves around this cycle, "Your life is misaligned. Change it; it's detrimental."
He encourages us to structure our lives so that every day feels like a celebration.
I can't pinpoint the exact moment when I first encountered this life philosophy. However, I vividly recall a martial arts seminar in the late '90s where a senior instructor discussed life's deeper meanings. He noted that many graduates end up in jobs they despise. While corporate roles suit some, they are not for everyone.
He attributed this disparity to individual personalities. Some thrive in a 9 to 5 routine, while others yearn for entrepreneurial adventures, creativity, or global exploration. He advised attendees to identify their true aspirations before diving into a corporate career, as straying from one's passion can lead to severe consequences, including depression or worse.
Make every day feel like the best day of your life.
Though I absorbed his words, I didn't act on them and instead followed the conventional career path. In the late '90s, the norm was to earn a master's degree and secure a job in a large corporation. Three years later, I found myself unhappy and had gained a significant amount of weight.
Returning to martial arts, I distanced myself from nightly social gatherings with colleagues and encountered the master instructor again. He smiled and asked, “Which company employs you? Are you satisfied there?” I liked aspects of my job, but I missed the creativity and learning experiences from my university days.
So, I decided it was time for a change.
Finding Joy in the Little Things
Initially, I pondered: What does it mean to live every day like a holiday? Should it involve lounging on the beach and partying all night? In the '90s, travel agencies sold this lifestyle as the ultimate vacation, promoting relaxation during the day and nightlife. However, many have since realized that such a lifestyle can be unhealthy.
The martial arts teacher clarified that everyone draws energy from different activities. For some, it’s exercise; for others, community involvement; and for some, it’s simply enjoying a quiet dinner with friends. He emphasized the importance of identifying those small joys that create significant happiness, advising against quitting your job to pursue them full-time. Instead, he recommended cultivating a habit.
Whenever I share this notion of seeking daily happiness, the common rebuttal is: "Should I quit my job to focus solely on that? I'd be broke!" The beauty of energizing activities is that they don’t require extensive hours. The instructor believed that even dedicating just five minutes each day can lead to substantial improvement. He would never advocate for an abrupt life change, like abandoning everything to practice martial arts eight hours daily. Rather, he suggested starting with five minutes a day to steer life in a better direction.
Years later, I discovered the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, who succinctly summarized this approach on his blog:
- Begin with a small commitment, like five minutes a day.
- In week two, extend it to ten minutes.
- By week three, aim for fifteen minutes.
Eventually, you might reach a point where you feel content without needing more time. For some, this might mean engaging in an activity full-time; for others, fifteen minutes may suffice to create a meaningful impact.
This is precisely what I did when I realized I was on the wrong path. I recommitted to martial arts, gradually working up to one to two hours of exercise daily. This not only brought me genuine happiness, but it also fit seamlessly into my hectic schedule. Occasionally, an hour may not be feasible due to other obligations, but I could always carve out a 15 to 30-minute walk to boost my serotonin levels.
From this journey, I learned that unhappiness stems from a temporary imbalance in life’s setup. Fixing it doesn’t necessitate drastic changes; often, a small shift can yield remarkable results. Yet, we frequently hinder our own progress.
I have since established efficient habits that make every day feel festive. These include exercising, meditating, writing, and podcasting—activities that integrate smoothly into a busy work life, eliminating the need for drastic time commitments.
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This article serves informational purposes only and should not be viewed as financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consult a professional before making significant decisions.
Chapter 2: Transforming Your Daily Routine
In the video "Stop Living For The Weekend | Gary Vaynerchuk Original Film," Gary discusses the pitfalls of waiting for weekends and vacations to find joy in life. He encourages viewers to rethink their daily routines and design their lives to be fulfilling every day.
The second video, "If You Live for Weekends and Vacations, Your Sh*t is Broken [Gary Vaynerchuk]," emphasizes the need to break free from the cycle of living for weekends. Gary shares strategies for creating a fulfilling life that doesn’t rely solely on time off to feel happy.