Every day time will pass us by, whether we use it wisely or not all. This leads many people to misunderstand the statement ‘live for the day’ – their vision for their lives is to operate on a day by day, or even week by week, basis. What do I mean by this?
Going to work, doing the minimum, staying in a job you don’t value or that undervalues you, wasting time watching tv and drinking every weekend, doing just enough to get by rather than pursuing excellence. A short term attitude toward life, continually doing what satisfies in the moment, regardless of the effects in the future.
In my opinion the actual reality of ‘living for the day’, is making every day count as much as you possibly can, with one eye always on the future. This means we need a very clear picture of the future we want, otherwise we are walking through life like a blind man in a maze. To see….we need only open our eyes. I have done a series of goal setting activities with my year 10 group over the past few mentoring sessions to really explore the burning ambitions they have and, more importantly, to see if they have the desire and plan on how to achieve them.
I gave the example of a man I met in a hospital waiting room last Thursday. He left college at 16 and was working on the factory shop floor when, upon meeting his girlfriend, he decided he wanted to get ahead for himself and his family. Did this take a year? NO! It took 10 years of continually moving in the same direction. He studied a HNC, then a HND, then a part time degree in Mechanical Engineering, all with two kids to raise. Now he is studying a Masters in Engineering, again part time. From minimum wage ten years ago he is now about to embark on a job paying $2000 a day.
The moral I took from the story: Rome was not built in a day, that is how the world works. You cannot change your life overnight either (unless you win lotto!). It is a gradual process that you must continually work on. Effort is required daily which links to my last blog about successful people in life who have adopted the ‘take no days off’ approach.
My own story? I used to think I was happy living and working in my dream job as a PE teacher but five years into the role, I stood back and thought “Actually I am 25 years old, the next five years are going to shape my entire life on this planet….I want more out of life!” In that moment on a frozen football pitch on a gloomy Monday morning, I decided I would look into emigrating down-under to provide a better future for myself and future family. It took three years of saving and hard work to finally secure my permanent visa and, although I had never set foot in Australia, I was confident I was making a change for the better. When I speak to old friends back home, they are all doing the exact same things on a daily basis, complaining about the climate and the cost of living. It’s this stagnant existence that scared me, I didn’t want to hit 30 and realise I had wasted the last five years.
Great memories are made from big decisions and moving to Australia has certainly paid off. I love IFS and have just purchased my first house. Family regularly visit for holidays and when the house is complete I will embark on raising some little Welsh-Australians.
Great feats are achieved from having a vision of the future, the belief you can do it, taking one step as a time. I’ve decided to put everything into getting where I want to be, I have no other responsibilities and haven’t allowed there to be any distractions. Start picturing your future and you start to see the path to get there, once you see it, take it, and don’t change direction, however long the journey and no matter the obstacles.
I’m a firm believer that if every single human lived by the following four commandments then society would generally be a better place:
“Respect is earned. Honestly is appreciated. Trust is gained. Loyalty is rewarded.”
Live by these four rules and you will be rewarded!!!
Winnis says
Obviously the goals you set for yourself Gavin are now coming to fruition……having the vision and doing what it takes to achieve regardless of the obstacles along the way paves the way for a bright and prosperous future….it’s called ‘Living the Dream’ and what better example of this success and the happiness it can bring to one’s own life and those around you is your very own CEO’s vision and determination to get the college you all love to work for up and running. Congratulations, the pupils of the college are fortunate to have a Teacher of your calibre as part of the Dream Team at IFS.
Gavin says
Thank you for your kind comment!
Todd says
Well said Gavin!
Jackie Concar says
Wow Gavin, I feel worn out reading your post this week, sometimes it feels really hard keeping that focus on the long term future and staying on track, its easy to let others influence you and question what your doing and why your doing it! We too have immigrated across the seas in search of a better life and a better future for our kids and in doing that other sacrifices have been made. Thanks for reminding me that we are living our dream, I just hope our kids will appreciate it one day and realise that if your not happy about something don’t winge and complain but do something about it, cheers Jackie
Joanne caisley says
Love it Gavin.
Rhonda Eaton says
The children are very lucky indeed to have a teacher and mentor with your passion Gavin, looking forward to the next two years ahead and especially knowing that you will be helping to shape a Keeleys future
Gavin Thomas says
I’m genuinly excited for the future at IFS, thanks for reading my blog and all the kind feedback, it’s much appreciated.