I Dare You to Do Better

Peter introduced me to the newest Star Trek (2009) a few weeks ago since the second one came out in theater recently. I admit, didn't think I would like it and it took a little persuading for me to finally watch it. What do you think has happened since? I've seen it almost 3 times and volunteered to see the second in theater - of course, I loved them!

We watched it again last night and I felt really connected to a few quotes. If you're thinking about making some changes right now, either in life, your career, or just in general, then these quotes are definitely something to ponder:

I dare you to do better

Do you feel like you were meant for something better? Something special?

I think we've all probably been in that boat where you don't quite know what you want to do for the rest of your life. Obviously, so much of our time is spent working so it's important to do find a career we love. Something we're passionate about. Something bigger than ourselves. A job that gives us reason and purpose - a job that gets us out of bed everyday. Right now, unfortunately I feel like I am sort of sitting back comfortably, I'm definitely not challenging myself as much as I should be. I know I'm not in my career right now. I know I need to stop blaming the job market and get up and push myself. Because I know I am meant for something much bigger. If you're feeling the same way, watch the clip above and just as Pike dares Kirk, I dare you to do better.

Spock, in this case, do yourself a favor: Put aside logic. Do what feels right.

I admit that recently I've been feeling torn by a few things because they aren't logical. But one thing I've learned is that going with your gut feeling is so darn important. I think it's the only way to truly be happy. And succeed. And even if you fail, at least you have learnt a valuable lesson and you're one step closer to getting where you want to be. Remember Steve Jobs' graduation speech at Stanford? Remember when he admits to dropping out of college? He did it because it felt right. Remember those classes he took that didn't have any purpose at the time? He took them because they felt right. He trusted that those dots would eventually connect, and they did. Course there's no way to know that your dots will connect when you're looking ahead, it's ONLY looking back, but you just have to trust that they will. I know doing what feels right when it goes against logic is so much easier said than done. But I did it when I married Peter. When some of my closest friends and family told me I was too young or didn't know him well enough yet. So why'd I do it anyway, despite logic and everyone's rational opinions? IT FELT RIGHT. They are the feelings only you feel, the ones you cannot explain to others or justify. When you feel those, follow them.

Her ongoing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life forms and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before.

Thanks to the book I'm reading, Start with WHY by Simon Sinek, I have a new appreciation for mission statements. I read a blog a few months ago about coming up with a mission statement for your life and I'm still struggling. Mind you, it does suggest sitting down for however long it takes (hopefully no more than a few hours!) and writing a number of mission statements until you know you've finally nailed it. (Apparently you'll know it when it moves you to tears ... slightly sappy, I know, sorry). Anyway, it shouldn't be any surprise then that when I heard the Enterprises' mission statement above, I was pretty much in awe. Boldly go where no one has gone before. Completely reiterates all of the above. Don't simply follow the well-worn path, it's no fun that way anyway.  Dare yourself to do better, to follow your gut, find that something that's bigger than you and GO.