Hoist the sails

As I sit down to write this first blog post, struggling to find the ‘right’ way to begin, my eyes are drawn to my son playing underneath a large oak tree outside my window. His neon-orange shorts and Scuderia Ferrari hat are a colorful reminder of why I’m doing this in the first place: I’m doing this for myself.

Don’t get me wrong, if I succeed in my quest to become more disciplined, wise, creative and productive, my wife and kids will undoubtedly benefit, each in their own way. After all:

Wisdom properly applied makes us more patient, attentive and stoic.

Having a creative outlet will nourish that part of my soul I’ve neglected.

And sharpening my skills as an investor and entrepreneur will improve my odds of compounding wealth.

Each of these will undoubtedly make me a better husband, father, friend and business partner (the bar is fairly low at present), so in that sense, I am doing this for that little boy hopping from tree root to tree root.

But if I’m honest, I’m setting out on this journey because I want to create something of value. I want to be proud of something I create. What that something is, I don’t know. This is a journey without a destination. I know the general direction but haven’t the faintest idea of where I’ll end up. If I wait around for clarity of purpose and sure footing - as I have for so many years - I will never start.

Better to start then discover your purpose than to know your purpose and never take action.

I’m sharing all of this – and the posts that follow – because I want to document that journey. I have no idea if this will produce anything of value. I have no idea how far I will go. And, as Seneca reminds us, even if we have an outcome in mind, Fortune will have her say: “Thus: ‘I shall sail, unless something happens.’”

Hoist the sails.