It took me a long time to realize and feel comfortable to talk about my BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal), writing books and speaking. And then it took some more time to get to these three reasons. The very core reasons why I want to write books and speak, I think, are materialization, recognition and respect.
Materialization of all my effort so far. I did care. I did work hard. I did live life fully, sincerely. I didn’t cheat. I didn’t take shortcuts.
Recognition of all my effort so far. I didn’t just work hard like a hamster running on a wheel. My effort has become something that can be valuable to others.
Respect from others for all my effort so far. Because the materialization of my effort adds value to our society, inspiring to many, I have respect from others.
It took me a long time to realize and feel comfortable to talk about my BHAG, writing books and speaking. And then it took some more time to get to these three reasons.
Everything I have read and listened to, and every conversation I have had helped me realize the BHAG of mine and the reasons. The final punch for me to get to the three reasons happened last night. I was watching Orville, a space TV show. The time is way in the future. Apparently in this TV show, civilization on Earth has evolved to the point where all the material needs are provided to everyone at no cost. The currency in this future society is not money but respect. People don’t work or do anything that they do in their life for money but for respect. There is a conversation in the episode 10 of season 3 (see the full conversation below) that really touched me. And this line from that conversation was the final push that I needed to arrive at the three reasons: “the only life considered poor is one that’s wasted on apathy.”
What legacy do I want to leave behind? How do I want to be remembered? My answer to these questions is that I want to be remembered as someone who really cared, who gave a damn, who poured 1000% of herself to what she believed in, who tried to make the world filled with more justice and fairness. My BHAG is my chosen way to leave my legacy behind. How do you want to be remembered?
Here is the conversation from Orville:
"The right work can be satisfying for other reasons besides compensation. It’s funny, with all the technology and all the different alien cultures… this is still the part that newcomers always have the hardest time adapting to."
"I mean it’s just so basic. You have a job. You survive. You don’t. You starve."
"Used to be that way on Earth too. Until the invention of the matter synthesizer. It was the single most transformative moment in our history. When all your material needs are provided for at no cost, it changes the entire game."
"So then… why don’t you guys just lay around all day and do nothing?"
"Well, it’s sort of frowned upon socially, but more important than that it’s no fun. See, on your planet, currency is money. In the Union, it’s reputation. So, if you do something, anything, that benefits our society, and you work hard at it, you’re rich. And that could be anything from being a great scientist or a great doctor, a great chef, or a great waiter. It’s all valued. … the only life considered poor is one that’s wasted on apathy."
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