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Stuff I learned yesterday, episode number 98 – Living Your Own Life.
Welcome to Stuff I Learned Yesterday. My name is Derek Olsen, I cannot stand any temperature over 82 degrees outdoors, and I believe if you aren’t learning, you aren’t living. In today’s episode of Stuff I Learned Yesterday I share what I have learned about living my own life.
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Now, let’s get to today’s show. What I Learned Yesterday…
When I was in college I wanted to be a rock star. I was in a band and we were good. We toured around Oklahoma and Texas sometimes playing five shows a week. We had t-shirts, stickers, and two full length CDs. It was a lot of fun, even more work and yes, it got crazy every now and then.
I would do it all over again given the chance. Well, I wouldn’t do it again now, but if I had to re-live my younger years I totally would.
I was so committed to the band that I took a year off from college to play music full time. Well, full time plus another part time job of course. That year off from school is the year I now fondly refer to as my legendary year. I can’t get into any details here, people I know might actually be listening.
During this period of time I had some people speaking into my life and would you believe that not all of the voices were in support of my legendary year? Taking a year off from college to spread rock and roll up and down I-35 isn’t usually part of the normal path in life. But it was my path. I wanted to do it, I made the decision, and I did it.
Now back to those voices. There were some people who advised against this course of action for my life. They were people who cared about me and wanted the best for me. I trusted these people and respected their opinions. Okay, fine, it was my parents.
They weren’t thrilled about me leaving school to stay up until 4 AM every night playing music, packing up the equipment and then driving back from wherever we had performed. They weren’t thrilled about me walking away from school that they had already paid thousands on my behalf either.
Ultimately, they spoke their concerns but supported me anyway. I think they could tell how badly I wanted to do this.
After a year of very loud music and way to much second hand smoke, it was time to hang up the guitars and go back to school. That’s what I did and I graduated three years later.
Years later after working at my first real job for six years I made the decision to quit my job and start my own business. This time around I had even more people speaking out against the decision. Well, they weren’t really against it, they just expressed concern and wanted to look after my best interest. It’s been three years now since I quit my old job. And, well, lets just say it’s not something I would do over again if I had the chance.
I appreciate all the opinions, suggestions, and concern people have for me and my life. I can only imagine how much I would miss out on if those people weren’t showing concern for me. There’s a lot to be said for the wisdom, care, and advice that comes from the people in my life.
However. Through all the crazy decisions that I have made and keeping in mind the differing suggestions that people had offered I have learned to keep one thing in mind.
Other peoples advice is just that. Other peoples suggestions is just that. Even other peoples care and concern is just that.
It’s their advice, their suggestions, and their concern.
I can choose to listen, consider, and say appreciate all of it.
But I don’t have to take it.
So here’s what I learned about taking suggestions, listening to advice, and living my own life…
The bottom line is this, this is my life, not theirs. They don’t have to live it, I get to live it. When someone gives you advice on what you should do with your life just remember that they won’t be the one living your life, you will.
So listen, conceder, and then live your own life.
Besides God, you are the only one who will have to answer to how you chose to use your one and only life.
I’m Derek Olsen and this has been stuff I learned yesterday.
Visit derekandcarrie.com to get your free copy of 4 ½ Conversation Starters right now. And if you just can’t get enough, check out my other podcast called Better Conversations on Money and Marriage.
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