If you don’t want to you probably should- Day 24

Some of the best experiences and opportunities in my life have come from doing things I didn’t want to do.

• Starting a new job I didn’t want that was 2,000 miles away.

• Going to a party where I didn’t know anyone and was in full introvert mode.

• Showing up at the gym when I wasn’t motivated.

These are just a handful of things that worked out all because I asked the question “what if?” At every moment in life we have infinite possibilities of an outcome - but not based on making the right choices; based on how we choose to respond to what life brings us.

In 2018 I moved away from my beloved Colorado to Clemson for a job I didn’t want in a place I didn’t want to live. I spent 4 months miserable and alone to then move another 600 miles back to Florida for another place and job I didn’t want to be. If I’m being honest that year was horrible, but it was the catalyst to the life I’m now living.

It took me getting to a point where the pain of staying the same outweighed the pain of change so I took action and starting going after what I wanted in life. I hope you don’t have to get kicked in the ass to find this kind of peace I now have, but for me that’s what I needed. It took a couple years to actually feel grateful for this time in my life, but I wouldn’t change the way anything happened in hindsight.

I’ve been to countless social gatherings that I almost bailed on last minute which ended up with new friends and great memories. I was minutes away from bailing early on my friends at a bar in Madison, WI because I was tired before meeting an incredible girl. Things didn’t work out with her and I but we had a hell of a lot of fun over 2 months traveling to see each other and I have grown so much from that relationship.

I’d say it’s 50/50 sometimes whether I actually want to workout or not. It’s around 95/5 how often I go to the gym versus missing a session. That’s because I love the results and I have goals to hit. I remember where future Taylor wants to be so I show up even when in the moment I’d rather be somewhere else.

My point in all of this is sometimes you just have to say yes, because you never know what could happen. Saying yes to an opportunity or simply “showing up” could lead to your future spouse or the job offer of a lifetime. AND remember that there will be plenty of times where saying “yes” turns out to be a waste of time. Which brings me to my next point: it’s about the process not the outcome.

When you make decisions based on who you want to be in the future there is always something to take away from “bad” experiences. That’s why I keep showing up to parties with strangers when I feel like being alone at home eating pizza and watching Netflix. Because I want an authentic community and to grow and learn from others.

Even when it’s not my scene or the type of people I want to be around I can ALWAYS learn something. And that’s why it always ends up a success. I learn about myself and others. What’s important to me and how to better connect with others. What I do and don’t like about certain jobs or where I live. Showing up for training when I’m tired helps me persevere in other aspects of my life.

If I’ve learned anything so far about this thing we’ve called life, our purpose is far more about who we are becoming along the way rather than where we end up.

Say yes more and get out of your comfort zone. You’ll never know how the road less travelled could change you for the better.