How to Move Forward by Pressing Pause on Your Life

How to Move Forward by Pressing Pause on Your Life - Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Building your life and achieving things for yourself is what makes all the difference. Action is essential. If you never act, if you are not proactive in your decisions, or if you do not even know what you want, you will find yourself drifting. I know this feeling well. It is normal not to always know what you want, but that is exactly why you need to pause and reflect.

One of my favorite ways to do this is to sit in a café for an hour, just thinking and brainstorming. I ask myself: by next week, what will I have accomplished? Often, what I end up wanting is completely different from what I thought at first. We are easily influenced by others, but deep down, our real desires can be very different.

For example, I once thought I absolutely needed a master’s degree in data science. I believed it would give me recognition and a better title. Sure, for immigration, it is easier to move to countries like Japan, Korea, Canada, or New Zealand with a master’s degree. But then I realized I did not even want to work as a data scientist in a company. So, what was the point? If you want to be a freelancer, the experience matters much more than the degree. The truth is, what you learn in a master’s is not always that much, and it is the hands-on experience that counts.

Sometimes, you need to step back and look at your situation from a distance. Sit somewhere quiet, take a notebook and a pen, and ask yourself: What do I really want to achieve? What do I want to build? This kind of reflection helps you move forward faster and make better decisions, instead of wasting years on something that does not really matter to you.

How to Move Forward by Pressing Pause on Your Life - Photo by Lucas Chizzali on Unsplash

A master’s degree can take two years. That is a lot of time to spend on something that may not even bring you closer to your real goals. The sooner you pause and reflect, the better. Sometimes, you just need a break. Recently, I took a short vacation, and it did me a lot of good. Even if you are working remotely or as an employee, changing your environment helps you see your life differently.

When I do this, people around me sometimes make fun of me. My girlfriend, my family, even my mother. But it is important to take a week off, think about your life, and then come back with more energy and a clearer direction. Life is too short to make choices that do not excite you. You need to make the right decisions as soon as possible, and taking breaks is what makes all the difference.

If you want to move forward, you have to act. There is a famous Chinese proverb:

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

— Chinese proverb

This applies to your life, your success, and your happiness. If you had started 20 years ago, you would already see the results. But if you start today, in 20 years you will be glad you did.

I want you to succeed because it is worth it. Life is short, so go for it. Take action. Believe in yourself, because I believe in you.

How to Move Forward by Pressing Pause on Your Life - Photo by Doncoombez on Unsplash

Key Takeaways

• Take time to pause and reflect on what you truly want.
• Do not let others’ expectations decide your path.
• Experience often matters more than titles or degrees.
• Taking breaks and changing your environment can help you see things more clearly.
• Life is too short to waste on choices that do not excite you.

Reflection

• When was the last time you paused to think about your real goals?
• Are you following your own desires, or someone else’s expectations?
• What small step can you take today to move closer to the life you want?