The 5 Percent Trick: Finding Passion and Purpose in Life

Have you ever sat down and thought, “What is my purpose in life? What is my passion? Where do I go from here?”

These are some of the most common questions we have all struggled with. And I am not in a position to answer it – all I can offer in this article is an opinion, slightly different from the typical response.

Are Your Goals Yours?

This statement is everywhere, and yet it is ignored so often that it bears repeating: Your purpose is your own. No one can cramp themselves into another person’s definition of happiness and success and, well, expect to be happy and successful.

The difficulties arise at this point, because of our natural reactions: “Of course I am pursuing my own passion!” But are we?

Where do our ideas of success come from? Our parents, or the media, perhaps. Maybe society in general. Be rich; be handsome; be beautiful; be famous. Are these really your goals? Where did they really come from? Can you be absolutely sure that these things will make you happy? I’m not saying yes or no, I’m just asking. It is possible that these things truly do make you happy.

The Internal Goal

But why do I mention happiness and success in the same breath? The true goal behind what we pursue is often internal – and most of the time, this internal goal is simply to be happy. If you don’t believe me, try something simple: Look at a current external goal you have, and then begin to trace it down.

For example: You want a new job. Ask yourself why. Perhaps a higher salary, or to get away from a nasty employer? What then? An easier work environment or more free time. What then? What will you have? And simply repeat this process until you can’t get any more answers. Almost always, you will find that what you are left with is an internal goal.

One of my favorite stories – you might have heard it before. There was a big city businessman who once went on holiday to a faraway beach. One day he walked past a local fisherman who was lazing around, with his fishing rod in the water, enjoying the sun and a beer.

The city man’s mind went to work immediately. The fishing spot was a gold mine, and a serious fishing business would thrive in the area. “Why are you so stupid?” he asked the fisherman. “Get some boats, hire some extra hands, and in a few years you will turn your little shop into a million-dollar business!”

The local man asked him. “And what would you do once you have a million dollars?”

The city man stared back blankly. “Why, I would have so much free time I could sit around in the sun all day and drink beer!”

Again, this idea might seem so basic that it doesn’t need repeating. And yet it is resisted by many people as a knee-jerk reaction. I remember a speaker at a seminar once, who simply stated that one can be happy even if they are financially poor. That statement was met with a lot of sarcastic comments from the audience. And yet is it really so hard to believe?

A basic level of material resources are needed, yes. But beyond that, it really makes no difference. So why do we resist it or even feel the urge to attack such a statement? What does it challenge inside us? If one honestly tries to answer these questions, the answers can be revealing.

Turning Our Goals Around

And then what? Once we see our internal goals, try one thing. Turn the goals around – achieve the internal goals first. And if, after that, you still want the external goal, you’ll find it that much easier.

Do any of these sound familiar? Once I have money, I’ll be independent. Once I find a lover, I will have higher self-esteem. Once my spouse quits drinking so much, I will be happy.

Does the opposite not seem more logical? Develop your self-esteem first, and potential lovers will find you more attractive. Grow your independence and you will find it easier to make money. And perhaps if you are happier, your mate will not see the need to drink as much.

This road becomes easier to tread when we realize that internal goals are always achievable if we put in the time and effort. External goals can be subject to limitations that cannot be overcome, no matter how hard we try. It would be almost impossible for a sickly fifty year old to become a professional boxer, for instance. But if the man’s true, internal, goal was to build confidence, it does not matter how frail or old he is – it is always possible.

For those who don’t have an external purpose in mind, try seeking out an internal goal. Look to become happier, for instance, and as you begin to take steps, you might find that an external goal begins to reveal itself.

The Impermanency of Purpose

This becomes more important when we realize outer purposes are ultimately impermanent. Our external purpose changes to reflect our inner. Purposes are not permanent. Nothing is. Stop looking for something to do for the rest of your life – it might be possible to find something that lasts forever; but most likely it will simply change in accordance with your internal state and needs.

When I was younger, I put all my energies and time into the sport of boxing, even sacrificing work and study opportunities for my obsession. Boxing was a strange choice for me, because I didn’t have much talent, and I was the quiet, introverted type. But when I think back to it now, it made complete sense – it was to fulfill an intense inner need. I had to become stronger, more confident. I needed a safe outlet for my anger and frustration. When I achieved those goals, my obsession with boxing just dropped away on its own.

Deeply realizing that goals are impermanent will also contribute to our inner peace. Here is one to stimulate thought – if you are seeking fulfillment through your external purpose, what happens when it comes to an end? It is certainly admirable to aim to be the best parent you can be, for example, but what will happen when one day your children become old enough to leave the house? When that happens, one can cling to the purpose, resist, and suffer. Or one can simply let it go, and continue in peace.

The Need for Action

Naturally, there is a time for planning and thinking, but there is also a time for action. Many people who are seeking or rethinking their life purpose stay stuck in the introspection. Maybe they do this to avoid taking risks, for fear of leaving their comfort zone, to avoid disapproval, or any other fear. And in doing so, they remain stuck in a rut.

Sometimes, the best way to find a purpose in life is to go out there and take action, even if we don’t know what we are doing!

My favorite tool at this stage is the 5% statement, created by Nathaniel Branden, who is widely considered to be the father of the self-esteem movement. It works by allowing you to take steps in small increments. Trying to change completely overnight, as some might suggest, often creates fear, uncertainty, and resistance.

A 5% statement is split into 2 halves. Examples would be:

If I were to be 5% more responsible today, I would ___________.
If I were to be 5% less lazy today, I would ___________.

The first part of the statement doesn’t have to change. But every morning when we wake up, we think of something that fills in blank, and then do it! As you can see, 5% is small and harmless enough to let us overcome our fears and procrastination. Being flexible enough to do different things everyday in pursuit of the same goal also keeps us from boredom and routine. Even better, it encourages us to think of new ideas to try (although we can simply do the same activity 5% more each time).

You can use this for anything you plan to do – begin a new exercise routine, reduce procrastination, improve your workflow, or even your personal relationships. And if 5% seems too little, don’t worry – it builds up rather beautifully.

Once momentum begins, sometimes the difficulty comes in stopping!

Source: http://zenhabits.net/passion-and-purpose-in-life/

[bisnis] Ance, Jutawan Larva Ikan Bawal

KOMPAS.com — Sejak sekolah dasar, ia sudah berjualan gorengan. Pernah menjual sayuran, menjadi kondektur, mengajarkan les privat, dan ketika mahasiswa, Ance Trio Marta berdagang roti keliling. Kini ia menjadi jutawan karena ikan bawal air tawar.

Tak banyak anak muda, apalagi mahasiswa, yang meyakini masa depan perikanan. Sarjana perikanan pun banyak yang menyerah dan memilih usaha lain.

Tetapi, Ance Trio Marta yang waktu itu mahasiswa—sekitar tiga tahun lalu—yakin bahwa perikanan itu "seksi" dan potensial. Keyakinan itu membawanya sukses dan terpilih sebagai juara I Wirausaha Muda Mandiri 2010.

Sudah banyak kabar tersiar tentang pengusaha yang terpuruk di bisnis kolam ikan. Namun, Ance tak gentar. Hasilnya, ia juga berkali-kali gagal, tetapi tetap bersemangat.

Ketertarikan Ance di bisnis ikan dimulai dari "kecelakaan". "Waktu itu, 18 September 2007, saya mengantar teman membeli tanah," ujar Ance menceritakan perjalanan pertamanya ke Desa Cibuntu Kulon, Kecamatan Ciampea, Bogor, Jawa Barat.

"Waktu itu, saya lihat ada bak sampah di bekas kolam yang tidak dipelihara. Kolam itu kemudian saya sewa Rp 300.000 per tahun. Luasnya sekitar 500 meter persegi," tuturnya.

"Saya coba menebar ikan lele, tetapi empat kali rugi. Saya pindah ke kolam lain dan berhasil. Ternyata, kolam pertama terlalu dingin, enggak cocok untuk lele," kenangnya. Bekas kolam itu kini menjadi kolam pembibitan ikan bawal.

Ketika itu, Ance berhasil di bisnis lele, tetapi kemudian rugi Rp 120 juta. "Padahal, itu uang investasi dari teman-teman. Saya bingung, mau lanjut kuliah atau kerja untuk melunasi utang," ujarnya.

Ia memilih bertahan dengan beralih pada pembenihan ikan. Sempat putus asa karena tak punya modal, tahun 2008 dia membuat profil usaha di situs web layanan direktori usaha.

"Saya sebutkan bahwa saya menjual segala jenis bibit ikan. Dari internet itu, ada yang mengontak saya, order bibit ikan," kata Ance yang mencari bibit ikan ke berbagai daerah.

Dia telusuri asal-usul bibit ikan. "Dari situlah saya tahu kebutuhan konsumsi ikan dan pasokan bibit. Saya menjadi tahu seluk-beluk pembibitan, pembesaran, dan pemasarannya," katanya.

"Saya sempat menjadi calo bibit ikan selama tiga bulan. Dari usaha itu saya mendapat keuntungan. Uangnya saya pakai membeli indukan bawal," katanya.

Tragisnya, indukan yang berharga itu dicuri. Dia sempat terguncang karena duit yang digunakan untuk membeli indukan itu merupakan tabungan yang dikumpulkan sedikit demi sedikit.

"Uang saya ludes, tersisa Rp 300.000. Dari jumlah itu, yang Rp 200.000 saya berikan kepada pegawai, Pak Mantri namanya. Saya bilang kepada dia, itu uang hasil keuntungan bisnis kolam," katanya.

"Kita untung Pak, tetapi masalahnya saya tak punya modal karena indukan dicuri. Apa Bapak punya sertifikat tanah yang bisa digunakan untuk modal?" kata Ance, menirukan ucapannya ketika itu kepada Pak Mantri.

Pak Mantri pun merelakan sertifikat tanahnya dijadikan agunan bank. Tahun 2008 ia mendapat kredit Rp 10 juta untuk modal dasar membeli indukan ikan bawal.

"Saya membeli indukan 3 kuintal, sekitar 100 ekor. Saya berkonsentrasi pada penyediaan larva ikan bawal," katanya. Hari demi hari ia lewati dengan target pertama mengembalikan utang.

Masa lalu
Ance bercerita, ayahnya seorang kontraktor di Riau. Tetapi, karena suatu hal, sang ayah bangkrut dan asetnya dijual guna menutupi kebangkrutan. "Kami pindah dari kota ke kampung. Saat itu saya kelas III SD."

Di kampung, orangtuanya bertani untuk mempertahankan hidup. "Orangtua saya petani biasa, menanam cabai, tomat, dan apa saja yang bisa ditanam di kebun," katanya.

Maka, saat di kelas IV SD, Ance memulai usaha. "Saya menjual apa pun, seperti gorengan di sekolah. Saya juga dagang sayuran, orangtua tak tahu-menahu soal ini. Duitnya saya gunakan membeli buku," katanya.

Ance juga menjadi kondektur mobil angkutan. "Ketika SMA, saya menjadi guru privat mengajar Bahasa Inggris untuk siswa SD. Nilai uangnya tak seberapa, tetapi buat saya, semangat kerja itu yang penting," katanya.

Walau sibuk, prestasi akademisnya tak mengecewakan. "Di SMP saya juara umum, sewaktu SMA masuk lima besar," katanya.

Kondisi ekonomi keluarga pun tak membuat langkah Ance surut untuk menikmati bangku kuliah di Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB). "Baju dan sepatu ketika SMA saya bawa semua ke Bogor biar bisa berhemat," katanya.

Sampai di Bogor, ia mulai memutar otak untuk membiayai kuliah. Ketika masih semester I di IPB tahun 2005, ia berdagang roti keliling ke tempat-tempat indekos. "Satu roti harganya Rp 300, saya jual Rp 500," tutur Ance yang saat itu juga berbisnis multilevel marketing (MLM).

Bangkit
Setahun setelah mendapat kredit bank, bisnis Ance mulai bangkit. "Saya bisa membayar utang kepada teman-teman. Keuntungannya juga lumayan," katanya.

Secara matematis, tiap induk menghasilkan 200.000 anakan. Anakan umur seminggu dijualnya seharga Rp 10 per ekor. Ance memiliki ratusan ekor induk, jadi bisa dihitung pendapatannya. Kunci dari keberhasilannya adalah membuat sistem bisnisnya lebih dulu.

"Saya cari dulu orang yang mau membeli ikan siap konsumsi. Lalu, saya cari petani yang mau membesarkan bibit ikan sehingga semua siklus bisa dipegang. Saya belajar sambil jalan, learning by doing," katanya.

Dari sisi keahlian, Ance bukan ahli pemijahan atau pembesaran ikan. Teknik itu ia pelajari dari petani setempat. Keunggulannya adalah menyatukan semua jaringan pada seluruh level bisnis ikan, mulai dari pembibitan, pembesaran, hingga pemasaran.

Ia menggunakan model inti plasma. Para petani sekitar diajaknya bekerja sama membesarkan larva dan bibit bawal. Ketika panen, Ance menangani pemasarannya.

Ia juga melebarkan sayap bisnis dengan pengolahan ikan dan bisnis restoran bermenu ikan. "Saya juga membuat rumah pelatihan di areal wisata yang akan saya beli," kata anak ketiga dari empat bersaudara ini.

Kini dia mempunyai plasma 12 orang dan petani larva 25 orang di sejumlah wilayah di Jawa Barat. Kisah Ance terasa manis dan mudah diikuti. Namun, sebelum mengikuti jejaknya, ingat bahwa dia pernah gagal berkali-kali.

Bagaimanapun...

Bila engkau baik hati, bisa saja orang lain menuduhmu punya pamrih;
tapi bagaimanapun, berbaik hatilah.

Bila engkau jujur dan terbuka, mungkin saja orang lain akan menipumu;
tapi bagaimanapun, jujur dan terbukalah.

Bila engkau mendapat ketenangan dan kebahagiaan, mungkin saja orang lain jadi iri;
tapi bagaimanapun, berbahagialah.

Bila engkau sukses, engkau akan mendapat beberapa teman palsu, dan beberapa sahabat sejati;
tapi bagaimanapun, jadilah sukses.

Apa yang engkau bangun selama bertahun-tahun mungkin saja dihancurkan orang lain hanya dalam semalam;
tapi bagaimanapun, bangunlah.

Kebaikan yang engkau lakukan hari ini, mungkin saja besok sudah dilupakan orang;
tapi bagaimanapun, berbuat baiklah.

Bagaimanapun, berikan yang terbaik dari dirimu.

Pada akhirnya, engkau akan tahu bahwa ini adalah urusan antara engkau dan Tuhanmu.
Ini bukan urusan antara engkau dan mereka.

(Mother Teresa)

It all depends on our attitude

Robert De Vincenzo, the great Argentine golfer, once won a tournament and, after receiving the
check and smiling for the cameras, he went to the clubhouse and prepared to leave. Some time later, he walked alone to his car in the parking lot and was approached by a young woman.

She congratulated him on his victory and then told him that her child was seriously ill and near death. She did not know how she could pay the doctor's bills and hospital expenses.
De Vincenzo was touched by her story, and he took out a pen and endorsed his winning check for payment to the woman. "Make some good days for the baby," he said as he pressed the check into her hand.

The next week he was having lunch in a country club when a Professional Golf Association official came to his table. "Some of the boys in the parking lot last week told me you met a young woman there after you won that tournament." De Vincenzo nodded. "Well," said the official, "I have news for you. She's a phony. She has no sick baby. She's not even married. She fleeced you, my friend."

"You mean there is no baby who is dying?" said De Vincenzo.

"That's right," said the official.

"That's the best good news I've heard all week." De Vincenzo said.

***

Good news or bad news? It depends on how you see things. You can be bitter after cheated. Or you can choose to move on with your life.......