> Personally I think it’s about living your life in a way that lets you have a say in what happens, rather than feeling
> helpless and watching life go by without you.

I agree with that. I’m not trying to suggest living “passively” by any means (not personally, anyway). I’m still all for doing stuff, just not doing them with an overriding goal/plan, or expectation of outcome.

So you could choose to set goals, or follow dreams. Or you may be happy to sit back and let the chaos effect take you in unpredictable directions – but even then, those directions will be shaped by your attitude to life and the environment you create for things to happen.

Good luck with whatever you choose to make happen…

Thanks for visiting! No, you’re not late to the party at all!

Thanks for your comment. So is your approach basically re-defining what “goals” are to you?

I learnt about your blog through ViperChill forum and now I see I am late for the party.

I want to congratulate you for your decision of enjoying life in a different way.

I have a totally different point of view though. Mine is more like what Rosalie described just above. It’s not living without goals. It’s changing your goals.

Good luck Adam,

Cristina

Thanks for all your comments and feedback on this blog throughout the last 12 months. I’ve always enjoyed it.

> It’s the little goals that get me out of bed and keep me breathing – the goal to catch up with my parents, to write
> 250 words of my PhD (although that goal is getting less and less important), to listen to a new – or old – CD, to > do the dishes, to watch my nephew play soccer, to feed and talk to the cat (yeah, I know, I am in danger of
> becoming a ‘crazy cat lady’ but what the hell is wrong with that?) to finish the book I am reading, etc….

I think we’re on the same page on this one, just that we are each defining “goals” a different way. To me, what you list aren’t “goals” (at least, not the ones I envision). They’re almost like instinctual actions. You’re doing them because you want to, and you don’t have to think much about it. Eg. I doubt you’re setting a plan when/where/how long you’ll be hanging out with your family, or your cat, or with a good book or CD. You’re just doing it. I wouldn’t call that a goal.

In any case, I’m probably rambling now. You should leave your thoughts over at my new project, http://www.livingwithoutgoals.com (if you haven’t already). I think it will be interesting.

> I gave up a long time ago the goal of ‘making my mark’ in a ‘big’ way – who the fxxk am I to even think that I
> have it in me to make a ‘big difference’ to anyone?. I’d much rather leave my mark in a small way – being a
> nice person, a good friend, a good aunt, a good daughter, an effective/encouraging tutor/teacher etc. The older
> I get the more important the small things in life are to me.

That’s great. I love that. And you’re right.

> Your blog has been interesting and very thought provoking – well done. I look forward to watching this next
> phase of your life develop – and to further challenges to my thinking that you will probably generate!

Haha, thanks, Rosalie. It’s been a fun ride so far.

Sometimes I think the pressure (and set up for failure) with goals is that ‘big’ goals are aimed for. I thinks that goals are useful – but only if they are manageable/achievable. It’s the little goals that get me out of bed and keep me breathing – the goal to catch up with my parents, to write 250 words of my PhD (although that goal is getting less and less important), to listen to a new – or old – CD, to do the dishes, to watch my nephew play soccer, to feed and talk to the cat (yeah, I know, I am in danger of becoming a ‘crazy cat lady’ but what the hell is wrong with that?) to finish the book I am reading, etc….

I gave up a long time ago the goal of ‘making my mark’ in a ‘big’ way – who the fxxk am I to even think that I have it in me to make a ‘big difference’ to anyone?. I’d much rather leave my mark in a small way – being a nice person, a good friend, a good aunt, a good daughter, an effective/encouraging tutor/teacher etc. The older I get the more important the small things in life are to me. Me living life on my terms (as your ‘About Adam W’ suggests).

Your blog has been interesting and very thought provoking – well done. I look forward to watching this next phase of your life develop – and to further challenges to my thinking that you will probably generate!

> Sometimes it’s best to just live and not over analyze and force life into patterns.

Agreed. Couldn’t have said it better myself!

Thanks for your comment. I couldn’t agree more!

I really like the clean look of your site – Adding fancy graphics might distract from your content.

Exactly the tip I needed, thank you. I’ve been going through lots of ideas for a personal project over these past days but haven’t gotten around to really start doing something about it, not even to write those ideas down! I’m going to start working on it tonight, and this time I mean it.

Great to see you on here!

And thanks for your encouraging words.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your comment!

It’s important to “begin with the end in mind,” but that has to be followed with action toward those ends. The dream continues to grow and evolve, and it will leave you behind if you don’t get on the pace pretty soon.

Well done, sir.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Great point about “fear of success” too.

Welcome to my blog! Thanks for reading, and thanks for your kind comments.

As for your thoughts and questions – you’ve given me something to ponder.

Having said that, I personally don’t believe in the notion of “giving to receive”.

I think the danger with that approach is that you can build up unrealistic expectations and eventually get frustrated when (inevitably) many people don’t “reciprocate” your giving.

I think that, first and foremost, you should always do something (or give something) because you genuinely want to, regardless of how it’s received or acted upon by others. The latter is something you ultimately have no control over.

As an example, this is what I feel with my own blog too. I try not to expect anything, whether that’s having a certain number of readers, or even comments (and whether or not they’re positive or negative). I just write because I feel I have something to share, and if other people like what I’m sharing than that’s a bonus.

Regarding your other comment about “finding people you consider to be not-mediocre”, I think you touch on something very powerful there. Surrounding oneself with lots of positive, energetic people that inspire you can have a hugely positive impact on your life.

Anyway, hope some of the above thoughts help, and thank you again for visiting! Hope you enjoy the many more articles I have planned for the near future.

I really relate to this post, fear of mediocrity is a real pickle. I think you touched on another possible cure – and maybe even answered the question before you asked it.

You talk about wanting to be remarkable. I like that word, and I also like the notion of giving to receive. Perhaps the key to staying remarkable is to continue finding people you consider to be not-mediocre, and making (verbal or written) remarks about them or to them? Keeping up a good out-flow of positive remarks should hopefully garner a few in return, keeping that self-esteem positive.

I’d really dig your thoughts on this. I have only recently found your blog on wecancreate, and so far you’ve been very helpful and inspiring.

Thanks,
Ben

That’s a great point you raise. I’ve been battling this myself recently. Hmmm, I smell another blog post …

I agree with you on that one, as long as it’s time and effort spent doing “deliberate practice” (as one of the concepts Malcolm Gladwell talks about in his “10,000 hours” theory).

And sometimes, even THAT won’t guarantee “success”. And they need to know that’s okay as well.

The entire point of this is that there’s something significant beyond mere financial donation. Would you not agree?

the question isn’t whether you should announce that you’re sending your thoughts vs telling everyone how much you donated. i think the point here is that both are self-serving to an extent. both are about making the person making the announcement feel good about themselves. and that’s not what it’s about.

and it’s also sad that people need to be “uplifted” (either by a video, a benefit concert, a celebrity selling wrist bands, etc) before they even consider opening up their wallets.

At the end, she also talks about people being “uplifted” by watching the guy’s video. You could argue that it’s entirely because of the donations, but if people are that easily uplifted then they might as well watch the official stats on how much money is donated – probably a million times what this guy (who, I must add, is doing a superb job) can manage.

If someone had just posted a YouTube video simply saying – I donated $1000 to Japan – do you think people would be as uplifted?

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your comment.

> I actively stopped watching the news on tv about 20 years ago and
> haven’t replace it with online

Great to hear!

Having said that, my wife used to work in Fukushima and so we couldn’t get enough info. Not because if morbid interests but because we care.

My hatred comes from the footage which is constantly repeated, and when reporting doesn’t actually give more info. Reporting for the sake of it. Or merely for the purpose of filling the 30 minute slot.

I actively stopped watching the news on tv about 20 years ago and haven’t replace it with online

Thanks for reading.

> All those videos of houses being washed away in the Japanese
> tsunami certainly prompted me to donate.

I know what you mean, but I really do wonder whether you’re in the minority on that point (ie. watching news as a prompt to donate).

And yes – current affairs programmes are another form of “evil” altogether. That old TV show “Frontline” should be mandatory viewing for every potential current affairs viewer…

Thanks for reading! And you make some great points here (I especially enjoyed the “What’s the mood like in there?” point – something that has always annoyed me too!).

So no – I’m pretty sure we’re not alone about all this.

I just wish more people would speak out about it, and make others realise that’s it’s actually okay to ignore the news. There are more constructive (and positive) things we can all do with our time than watch “news porn”.

You can’t turn off the news (unless you go bush, or live as a hermit). It’s everywhere – TV, twitter, facebook, newspapers, blogs, email, friends, neighbours, workplaces. What gripes me more are the so-called current affairs TV programmes. Some of them are totally irresponsible, stirring up hatred, victimising people, presenting a one-sided sensationalist view. I definitely turn those off!

It all seemed to start when Diana, Princess of Wales (not Princess Diana as the media like to call her) died – over and over and over again images of her leaving the hotel and the twisted metal that had been her car. Why?

Ever since then it’s got worse and worse… to the point where I watch the first news program after a disaster then turn off until it’s all over.

It’s not only the same images being repeated but I can’t understand why:

1. We need a reporter “on site” at each and every disaster that happens – I’m sure sometimes the amount of reporters, cameramen etc. outnumber the residents – the blokes getting stuck down the mineshaft is a perfect example of media gone mad.

2. We need to see the same clips over and over again.

3. Why the presenter in the studio is left asking ridiculously stupid questions – a classic was when Yasi was about to hit, the reporter who was (yes, you guessed it) on site at a shopping mall with hundreds of evacuees was asked “What’s the mood like in there?” – really do they think people are having one big party????

Oh dear, I seem to have written almost as much as your post but I’ll finish up by saying thank you, it’s a relief to know I’m not the only one who thinks like this!

Now, playing the devil’s advocate, what about these cases?

1) “Happy birthday!”
2) “Best wishes for your speedy recovery.”
3) “Congratulations!”
4) “I’m sorry for your loss.”
5) “Send him my best regards.”

Would you also argue that these words don’t help anyone “in need”?

If we argue that these words carry no weight and don’t “help” anybody,
then we could answer as follows to the above:

1) “Thanks for nothing. Now, are you going to send me some money, cheapskate?”
2) “Yeah, too bad you aren’t here suffering with me, so you can feel my pain. Get lost, a-hole, or else buy me a new house, car and cat.”
3) “So what. I did it all on my own power, with no help from you, turd-eater.”
4) “Yeah, but you can’t do a damned thing about my loss so eat your words, put your tail between your legs and don’t come back again, loser.”
5) “He won’t give a damn if he gets your moronic ‘best’ or not, so put it where the sun don’t shine and don’t waste your breath.”

In an ideal world, we’d buy every single person we know a birthday present, give them money, or do something fantastic for them on their birthday; offer them food, clothing and shelter and a listening ear when they are in dire straits; throw a party for them personally when they are to be congratulated; and offer to be there every single day for moral support and encouragement for people who underwent a loss.

I’d totally agree that people need physical things, especially people who have been through a catastrophe of any kind, physical, psychological or otherwise. I can tell you that there have been times that I would have felt encouraged if someone was there when I was in need.

On the other hand, the fact is that there are people in the world who cannot “be” there; and even those people who are spreading their so-called “empty” well-wishes may actually be doing something tangible to contribute in their own way.

The bottom line is that it doesn’t seem to make sense to me to discourage or belittle people for trying to “send their best”. Granted, it doesn’t really “do” anything for anyone. But then again, some people do take some comfort in knowing that there is someone out there who actually gave a damn enough to write those lame words.

Who knows – that person who sends you those seemingly empty “thoughts and feelings” might actually care for you enough to do something “real” for you someday… or for that matter, you might actually develop feelings for them and do the same when they need it.

Just another take on an interesting post.

If the answer is 1, then it’s not a useless thing.

http://matadornetwork.com/change/how-to-help-the-earthquake-and-tsunami-victims-in-japan

3. Having friends who offer to help directly. They’re the real friends.

1. Loads of people send me messages saying their heart goes out to me.

or

2. None of my friends say anything

I know which one I would prefer.

Just sayin’

But in my more hopeful moments, I try to remember that there’s always the chance that some of these people are well-intentioned and have donated or are helping in some other way, they’re just not shouting from the rooftops about it – maybe because they don’t want to be accused of doing it ‘wrong’ somehow! It’s not necessarily the way I would go about it, and I’m sure some of them are indeed just douches, but hopefully not all…

Médecins Sans Frontières: http://www.msf.org.au/donate/

Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.au/japan2011.htm

Thanks for your insightful comments, as usual.

I like your approach to your business work, as well as the other examples you’ve included. I guess it all basically comes down to enjoying the process and journey in everything we do. So much more enjoyable, isn’t it?

Oh, and thanks for your best wishes regarding my comedy series. Still very early days, but – for the first time in a long time – I’m really enjoying the entire process.

Thanks for reading, man!

Keep up your writing.

Thanks man! (Now I just have to stop the, “I AM a Jack-of-all-trades / Renaissance Man” shtick and get into the write mindset!)

Same with personal activities, like taking up exercise – if I focused on some ideal of a super-fit lean mean person at the end, I’d give up straight away! Much better to just enjoy it as you go. Work towards a goal if you can, but stop and smell the roses along the way.

P.S. Good luck with the comedy series, keep us posted

Thanks for reading! Great quote too.

I Googled it – looks like it’s from a comedian called Bob Monkhouse – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Monkhouse

Ben

Definitely not!

Thanks for reading, Rosalie.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your thoughts!

You’ve mentioned a great example in your comments. Glad to hear you decided to give that job a pass.

> But are you passionate about making television?

I’ll answer that even more broadly – I’m always passionate about making people laugh and/or think (ideally, both!).

So whether that’s through the medium of writing, radio, TV, film, the web, etc (I write “etc” because I couldn’t think of anything else to add there…), it doesn’t bother me. A laugh is a laugh.

But, unfortunately, the last few years I seemed to have fallen into the “I can do it better” trap, which lead to me pursuing work that was, in reality, outside my core interest – that of making people laugh!

I had the ability, but not the desire. If only I had several lifetimes to waste…

But are you passionate about making television?

That’s a great method of getting a big first draft out there. Don’t over-think it – just blog it, then see what you have, then continue refining it further. I like that approach, and I’m using a similar approach with my blog here too.

That’s a great way of putting it!!

Haha, well, SOMEONE has to man the fort over here in Adelaide! Seems like everyone else is leaving.

> A long time ago I stopped planning things because they never
> turned out remotely like I wanted them to

Yeah, I know what you mean. Planning does have a tendency to build expectations in one’s mind. I know it did for me as well.

Out of interest, did you plan much for your writing project on http://ittakes10years.com/ ? How did you keep the enthusiasm going over so many posts and thousands of words?

Always interested to hear how people deal with their creative projects.

Hey, I left when I was two – I had no say in the matter! I’m dreaming of a trip there sometime soon though.

> Out of interest, did you plan much for your writing project on http://ittakes10years.com/ ? How did you keep the enthusiasm going over so many posts and thousands of words?

Well, considering it was a semi-autobiographical look back at the last ten years, I really had to be strict with myself and “plan” it out. That said, however, the only plan I made was that I mapped out my “memories” for each year (averaging about twenty for each year) and the fact that I was going to sit down and write them out.

I had no plan for length, nor an overly well-mapped-out schedule other than “daily”, but I knew that I wanted to “finish” by February 13th 2011 (this Sunday) – turns out I’m running about two weeks over time, but that’s neither here-nor-there.

As for staying motivated? I’ve no idea. I think the small handful of friends that I know are reading have commented every now-and-then and have provided feedback on Facebook that they read it each morning on the train to work or some such thing and I felt compelled to finish it so they got the whole story – it almost became a stress that I let them down if I wrote half my story and didn’t finish. That and the fact that some of the memories were hard to write for lack of detail or because they were upsetting.

Still, when I discovered the word-count that I’d reached and a friend told me that I’d almost doubled the industry standard for word-count on a non-fiction manuscript submission, I was over the moon. I was refreshed with the idea that I might clean it up and edit it down into a proper story and perhaps get it published – that’s what has carried me through since just after Christmas 2010.

Thanks for your interest!

I reckon it’s important to realise the limitations and, sometimes, utter hopelessness in creating a plan. A long time ago I stopped planning things because they never turned out remotely like I wanted them to, so I allowed the natural creative evolution to take over and it (usually) worked.

I love that you highlighted how over planning can create a lack of enthusiasm to continue, or that you can still get it done but it’s no longer enjoyable.

Wishing you the best for it all!

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your thoughtful comments.

I’ll do my best to deal with them, although I appreciate that we probably look at this particular issue quite differently.

> Have I got your argument correct: Unless you can do something
> about or participate in what is on the news, it is not news and it is
> useless?

To clarify, I wasn’t talking about the definition of “news” (and whether something is or is not “news”).

So whether or not it’s actionable doesn’t mean it’s not “news” to me. It’s still “news”, regardless of how un-actionable or un-newsworthy it is.

My basic argument here is that most news is, indeed, useless at the individual level.

> What about the role of news to share information?

As you point out, a lot of the time the news is tainted by its own agendas anyway (particularly when corporations and politics are involved), so it’s not always the kind of “information” we want in the first place.

> yet it can be viewed with a critical eye.

I would argue that large sections of the population do NOT view things with a critical eye (and tend to lack this ability), and so they take “news” at face value. That frightens me.

For someone like you, on the other hand, it’s obvious what news is biased/manipulated, etc. Your intellectual abilities are finely honed, so you have the capacity to discern that sort of content.

But even then – what are you ultimately gaining from watching news that is either tainted or pure?

> What about the role of news and insightful investigative
> journalism to shine a light on both the corrupt and the good?

I know what you mean. Sure, there are SOME news outlets that seem to remember the true role of “journalism” (WikiLeaks perhaps being an interesting, recent example), but I would say those outlets are in the minority.

What passes for “news” for the vast majority of the population is the sort of junk one sees on commercial television and 24-hour news channels that are fixated on playing back the same 5-second audio grabs and same video footage ad nauseam. In that kind of context (which is primarily what I’m referring to), it’s hard to argue that the “news” delves into any sort of intellectual depth when it covers issues.

If all it does is gloss over an incredibly complex political scenario in 30 seconds or less, what’s the point? What does anyone gain from that?

> There is a lot of news about the demonstration in Egypt at the
> moment. There is not a lot of ‘action’ I can take personally, but
> the news provides a chance for the voices of both sides to be
> heard, for people to see and to think about the role of the
> ‘ordinary’ person to influence politics and to take action for
> political change. It is chance to see history unfolding

Sure, I appreciate the fact that we can see history unfolding but, unless that is a person’s interest, I still don’t see how it helps the individual.

If we had a camera filming all the various examples of suffering around the world, I still don’t see how our awareness of all those examples of suffering actually achieves anything (I don’t mean to sound heartless – I actually DO care, in case that’s not clear).

It just seems like it turns suffering into some sort of morbid “entertainment” for the masses. Even using Cyclone Yasi as an example during the last week, it was really disturbing to see news services hyping it all up, trying to increase panic, and then rolling film and waiting to be the first on the scene to document tragedies and suffering.

I find that pretty sickening.

Besides, the potential long-term impact of being constantly exposed to that sort of “information” (ie. suffering of any kind) surely can’t be mentally beneficial to the viewer.

At least, that’s how I see it. The benefits of news consumption, in my mind, are few.

There also seems to be a lot of propaganda aired by the news – do we really need to know the names of suicide bombers? Surely by publicising this fact you’re giving them the glory they seek?

I love your spreadsheet analysis too

Which is my problem, I have the degree but don’t have the relevant work experience. Nor can I get it, because no employers will give me a chance.

The best job I can get with my four year degree is working on the check-outs in a shop – a job which I could have just as easily got without wasting four years at university.

So don’t bother – these days a degree is a waste of time because everyone has one. Get the experience, preferably paid, if you can (i have voluntary experience, but apparantly I need paid experience instead).

Thanks for reading.

In response to your question – this article isn’t actually about running a “successful” business/venture.

But your question poses another question … what does “success” in this context mean? Does it just mean making a tonne of money for the sake of it, or does it mean being happy because you’re making a living from your actual passion (without necessarily making a “fortune”)?

I know which one I prefer.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your comment.

> Keep a sanity check on what
> you spend time on, and if you find you’re losing the passion,
> change things so that wherever possible you can focus on what
> you enjoy most.

That’s some really good advice. In some ways, I think this is similar to disregarding the often-quoted “work ON your business, instead of IN your business”. There’s nothing wrong with working IN your business, if that’s where you’re happiest.

Thanks for reading, and for your comments.

@Jen – you’re welcome!

@Cher – “it’s normal in the ninja world”.

@Chris – “That’s probably why I’m still unemployed…” – hahaha

@Aurian – Being perceived as crazy by office people is the ultimate compliment. Glad to hear you finished your “dynamic” office day on a laugh. With that kind of “can do” attitude, you’ll go far!

That’s probably why I’m still unemployed..

Thanks for your comment too!

> I can’t imagine trying to build a business with a mortgage and
> kids.

Yep, I have no idea how some people do it either!

> Nothing happens quickly but you’ve definitely got to have a plan.

That reminds me of a blog post by 37 Signals about “planning is guessing”:

http://37signals.com/svn/posts/1805-lets-just-call-plans-what-they-are-guesses

Thanks for reading, and for your comment.

> As I’m raising my skillset and planning the step out into the world
> of the self-employed, I see all the things that my “normal job”
> keeps secure and I have to weigh up whether my hatred of my
> job is more intense that what it would be like if I just didn’t make
> enough money to pay everything off each month and have it all
> fall down.

That’s really the key dilemma, isn’t it? I’m not trying to say it’s an easy thing to “solve”.

> Personally? I’d love to work for myself. I know I could do it and
> I’m working towards it. Whether I’m ready or not? Not quite, I can
> fairly confidently say.

Out of interest, what would you say is the primary barrier that is preventing you from taking that leap?

Nothing happens quickly but you’ve definitely got to have a plan. You’ve gotta be dealing with the right people in the right places and if you’re not quite there yet, you’ve gotta know how you’re going to get there. I can’t imagine trying to build a business with a mortgage and kids. I have a window of opportunity right now that may never come again.

It’s an incredibly personal decision to abandon the relative safety of a job you hate – good luck to anyone who’s faced with it.

That’s for the moment, at least.

As I’m raising my skillset and planning the step out into the world of the self-employed, I see all the things that my “normal job” keeps secure and I have to weigh up whether my hatred of my job is more intense that what it would be like if I just didn’t make enough money to pay everything off each month and have it all fall down.

Guess it all really depends on priorities and personal situation. Personally? I’d love to work for myself. I know I could do it and I’m working towards it. Whether I’m ready or not? Not quite, I can fairly confidently say.

I disagree. Your definition of “interests” is way too narrow.

If you look at the backgrounds of many of the most successful people on Earth (successful as in they’re doing what they love, and making quite a decent living at it), very few of them went to college/university (and when they did, they often dropped out).

Names off the top of my head include: Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, Mark Zuckerberg, a whole list of successful filmmakers, game developers, etc

These people took the time to find, and develop, their passions. While doing that, some of them worked average jobs on the side to make ends meet. But they at least didn’t waste time doing a degree on top of that.

> which means working a job you
> probably hate to secure financial support

The irony there is that if you don’t pursue your interests, you’re going to end up working a job you hate anyway.

> The trick is to balance earned income with pursuing interests,
> and developing those interests into an income stream while
> working a job for financial support. Hopefully the area of interest
> will eventually develop into the main income-earning activity.

Ok, sure – that’s an approach one can use. And notice that it’s an approach you can do WITHOUT going to university.

> I’d be the first to agree that at least %50 of my tertiary studies
> were a waste of time, but that’s because I had no idea what
> career I wanted to pursue.

That’s EXACTLY my point.

> Eventually one of my degrees landed me a job, kind of under the
> table, at the university where I got the degree

And the job you got, as you imply, didn’t really have anything to do with you having a degree.

All of these points simply further reflect what I was saying in my article above.

I’ve got to disagree with your points this time around.

> to be competitive against the hordes of job seekers degree
> qualifications have always helped to give ‘the edge’ over others.

That’s PRECISELY the illusion I want to shatter. It’s simply not true. It’s just mantra repeated by those who are well entrenched in the system.

Why do I say that? Because I once believed that stuff too.

If you don’t believe it’s an illusion, then ask yourself this: how many degrees do YOU have? And how have they actually HELPED you?

Now, think about all the things you could have actually done with the time you spent at university studying pointless things instead?

> But it might give a you a slight advantage (most people have a
> degree these days) when competing for the average office job.

As I mention in my article, if you’re merely going for a mind-numbing average office job, then sure – a university degree might help you there (although even that’s no longer a guarantee – since, as you observe too, most people have a degree now anyway, so it’s pretty pointless joining that herd).

My ultimate point is: develop and pursue your interests. For most people, that’s going to mean “don’t bother going to university”, because what they actually need won’t be found there.

The trick is to balance earned income with pursuing interests, and developing those interests into an income stream while working a job for financial support. Hopefully the area of interest will eventually develop into the main income-earning activity.

I suppose it also depends on what one’s goals are, if you plan to have your own house, or a family, or a relatively new car, then you need money for those things. If not, then living with your parents or slumming it in a share house might be ok.

I’d be the first to agree that at least %50 of my tertiary studies were a waste of time, but that’s because I had no idea what career I wanted to pursue. I was pushed into uni studies because that was the mentality at the time. Eventually one of my degrees landed me a job, kind of under the table, at the university where I got the degree…

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your comment! I love the stuff you’re writing at your blog – http://www.lifestyleignition.com/

Good question regarding “how can such a fundamental change even begin to take root?” I’ve mulled that one over for a while too. In short, I just don’t know.

In part I feel as though many of the people that would actually benefit from such a change would probably feel reluctant in accepting these changes in the first place (thanks to years of preconditioning in early schooling).

So if a fundamental change were to begin, it would have to start VERY early, I feel. And it would also have to be a change that parents and older generations would support (let’s face it – many of them are part of the reason we have the current absurd system in the first place!).

What do you think, Mark?