04-07-2025
Become the best with a journey of 6 milestones
Why is the world becoming so lost and more people search for a purpose? In this article, I will draw on Seneca, Al Jahiz, and the articles of 80,000 hours, to guide you on a journey through six milestones. In the end, you will find everything you want. But be warned — you will be met with hurdles at every stop.
The first milestone is enjoyment. Here, your challenge is to identify three hobbies which you enjoy. Painting, mathematics, hiking, whatever you'd like. But be careful, on the way here, you will be misled by fake joys. The way to know whether your enjoyment is real or not is by asking yourself, the day after, if you regret the time you spent or not. Seneca states that there is a distinct difference between joy and pleasure. Your challenge? Find suitable joys.
The second milestone is skill. Now, you should build your competency at each of the three hobbies you have chosen. However, there is a danger in this stop too. You may either underestimate or overestimate your own skill at a craft. This is why it is useful to seek constructive feedback from those around you. When seeking feedback, focus on asking pointed questions about aspects of your work, instead of requesting general thoughts. You may also join small local competitions to gauge your skill. At this stop, you may seek to discard some hobbies and take up others. Al Jahiz, in his book Al Hayawan, states that talent is something one is born with. He is surprised by one who spends a life as a singer, when his voice brings pain to others. While I believe you can master anything through sheer will and enough diligence, doubtless it is to your benefit to take advantage of your existing talents.
Milestone three: This is where you will transition from having hobbies to having an obsession. From the three hobbies, I would like you to sharpen your spirit to a point, and find one which you are willing to sink the majority of your time into everyday. The way to choose is simple: When you are obsessed, you will spend time doing the thing even when exhausted. For example, writing is what I do after work, and I find that it energizes me. If you cannot practice while tired, and if the practice exhausts you instead of spiritually fulfilling you, then it may not be your passion. Secondly, when obsessed you will be willing to study the craft, speak to others about it, and consume it. This is what it takes to overcome the third hurdle. Once you find an obsession, you can keep the two others as side hobbies, and focus on this one craft. Take pride in it. Let it form part of your identity.
Milestone Four: Now the hard part- you should find a way through which to make money through your obsession. This can be direct (a footballer playing semi-professionally) or indirectly (an artist working as a gallery curator). Now, let us acknowledge that some choose to avoid this milestone completely. For example, some are content working as an engineer, but being an obsessive hiker. That is acceptable, but my anecdotal evidence shows that even people who choose this path find their way to stop four eventually. Give it a try.
Here my knowledge ends, as I've not reached milestone five yet. However, let me try to guess at the two milestones ahead, both on your behalf and Five: Sustaining yourself financially. This milestone is all about ensuring your obsession is making enough money for it to become your full-time career. There are two paths for this: The artist or the entrepreneur. As an artist, you would be practicing your work, while others sell it for you. This is the path of actors, craftsmen, and consultants. However, another way to make a career out of your passion is to start an enterprise. For example, instead of being a highly-paid accountant, you may open an accounting firm. This truly depends on whether you enjoy practicing the craft more than you enjoy systemising it. Both options are feasible.
Now, after many turns, we have reached the sixth milestone. You are working full time at your passion, making a good amount of money with it, and have enough free time to pursue the niceties of life. Now, it is time to think about the impact you have on the world.
How is what you do helping the world? Finding the answer to this question will help you reach this milestone, and will also make you the best at what you do.
Congratulations. If you are here, then I hope you are happy. If you have not reached this stop yet, like me, then I wish you a successful journey ahead as you become the best at what you do.
