Are you listening?

When you’re born, the number of people older than you never grows. 

We’re born into a system that updates as we age, phasing out the old & bringing in the new. The older generation above us are exactly the same with us, as we are with those younger. It’s a closed loop. 

Earlier this year a younger friend, that I’d had many conversations with about ideas (mostly his & his own grand visions) told me he was watching me with envy. He was holding me accountable in a unique way- as influence. I was so grateful, because what a blessing it is to share our own experiences, even in my small tally- that could inspire someone else to do something themselves. Change the trajectory, open up their mind to new thoughts. The younger generation are the future & to influence a thought process in the way I used to speak with my best friends at his age- what an outlet. I cherish it & I’m grateful he listens to my confused narration of what I think life should be. I always liked hearing how eager he was in finding his purpose- not some bullshit job to make money by falling into the system of debts & burdens. But this really fed my own purpose tenfold just talking to him.

I could see advice was lived, not hypothetical. That’s new. 

He bought books & suggested some back. He changed his actions & had started planning an escape into his own idea. I can’t stress enough how fucking good it felt to offer something other than enthusiasm, a nod, or an ear for a change- a conversation with weight. 

This whole ordeal really opened my eyes to the next generation, atleast the ones that speak & live with ambition.

But in reality, there’s another side, & I’m just as hyped on that.

I’m ready. 

I like the competition.

These young hungry cats have to climb the ladder; just like I did. They’ll earn stripes & achieve.

They want the scalps, targets, goals & accounts that we currently have. Whatever KPI metric holds weight – they’re aiming for it.

Maybe it’s to get six figures. Or be the boss of someone. Maybe it’s to steal your idea & expose it to more eyes. Maybe it’s to get an account. Maybe it’s simply to get on the radar with a boss. They’ll go the extra mile out of gratefulness for opportunity, just like we did before most got complacent. But you know what?

They gotta fucking beat me at it. 

You gotta outwork me. 

I’m a believer in keeping things individual, as “your race, is your race” & we run in different tracks, not against each other (all the time). There is a lot to go around. But I see it in my industry of work all the time. There is an abundance of talented individuals who are fucking good & they’ll overtake you- either by network or through perseverance. 

I see them in field, I hear about them through friends & I see the work accumulating online. Just as I’m chasing the guys in front of me, I’m being chased. And you know I’m not trying to make myself an easy target. I want to win, more than anything. 

There are days I sit in my car filled with dread & this is what I think about. 

Nobody is paying me to do this, I got here from an idea that was created by me & some friends. You cannot care the same as I do, because this has my fingers on it. My reputation. My money, time & energy. This is my purpose, right now.

This shit isn’t easy- so a lot of people will quit or stray to the easier path. The one commonly followed. The ones who persevere are the winners.  

I’m coming for your neck because I know eventually there will be a time that someone will overtake me too. It’ll happen to us all. They say father time is undefeated when it comes to sports. Kill or be killed. Aim up.

So with this blessing of observation, I’m so grateful. We are the company we keep, & the environment we surround ourselves with. Better make it good, huh? What’s more important, the flower or the soil that grows it?

I miss those moments with my friends, because they don’t last. We are naive in the present & nostalgic when it passes. The wild thinkers of their 20’s often tame by 30. I’ve seen it. Soak it in whilst the influence lasts & allow yourself to mourn potential lost- it’s normal to feel that way. But if you don’t burn out, blow up.

There is no ego. There is no agenda. There is only purpose & passion, everything else is a perk. 2021, you’ve been a bit- but it allowed myself to grow & expose myself to the deep end for the first time. The safety net was gone in 2020, and the swimming began in 2021. I hope 2022 is the deep end, because I’m building a boat.

Hello my purpose, I feel you, I see you & I’m pursuing you with everything. I’m coming for your fucking neck. Another lap starts tomorrow. 

C.f