My Wish Came True, Then What...?

As I thought about this Monday's Podcast (available here) and the book review on Peter Buffet's "Life Is What You Make It: Find Your Own Path To Fulfillment," I thought about the notion of preparedness when I make a wish.

I worked hard to become a wrestler. I sacrificed time, money, and a lot of energy to make my dream come true. I went to Louisville, Kentucky, was successful, and then I injured my back that resulted in a herniated disk.

Back home, I leafed through the notes I wrote before I made the move to Kentucky and I was amazed at what I found. I realized my wish but I had not written about what would happen after that wish came true. In fact, I realized how I never prepared myself for success, I didn't prepare at all actually.

I believe my back injury was due to emotional pain rather than physical pain. The more I climbed the ranks, the more I realized the stakes were getting higher as well. The more competitive others became the more worried I became. It seemed that for some reason I didn't want it anymore. Somewhere in my mind, I was wishing to fail. Opportunities were knocking at a faster rate than I had expected, but I was unprepared. I was at the right place at the right time but I had not anticipated what came after.

The temptation to blame everyone else was high. I could have stayed bitter at the world for my whole life and take it out on those I love saying how they never supported me. Instinctively, I knew that kind of professional stiffness and stubbornness leads nowhere. It is often a mask for a limited mental or physical ability. I had the body but the mental was not ready yet. I had to dig my heels in, swallow the pill, and start all over again. Thank God I had the humility to do it.

Looking back, I learned an important life lesson: when you have real faith in something, you prepare for its success.

Life goes on after our wish comes true. What does it look like? What qualities will I need to keep growing after it happens? What do I need to prepare for? Will I have more responsibilities? Can I handle success? How will others react when I get to that level?

Following our passion is way more than wishing, it's taking action, failing, and standing back up.

We say that chance is preparedness meeting opportunity; I understand it better now. To me, success is personal growth and a plan.

With Purpose, Passion, and, Love

Frédéric Byé