My Top 5 Life Priorities and Why They Matter

Last night I went to Barnes and Noble.

I go to the book store pretty often. I love to read and on Friday and Saturday nights, it feels good to pick up some new comics and check out some new releases. I'm a nerd guys I already know this.

So after re reading the second volume of Saga, I texted my sister. It was a short conversation about life. I told her that I felt like I was going through some changes. My perspective on a lot has changed in 2017.

She asked me, "what are your top 5 priorities right now?"

I never thought to actually list my priorities like that. I felt like I could list them off pretty quickly, but over the course of last night and this morning I really started thinking why.

So then I did what I always do. I opened up my computer and I started writing about it. Here is what I came up with.

Priority #1 - Stay Sober

I am pretty involved in the addiction recovery movement, but it's not something that I walk around preaching about. Most of my followers don't know much about my struggle with addiction and I like it that way.

But in this circumstance, if I didn't put this at the top of my list, it would be inauthentic.

You see, if I am sober I have the world at my fingertips. Life is an ever expanding nebula full of possibilities. I can do anything I want in life. I can enjoy my family to the fullest, I can love my friends and my girl with intent and purpose.

But if I am not sober... I don't have a shot.

My sobriety is at the top of my list because without it, there is nothing else to even have. If I am in addiction, everything else goes completely out the window. Living sober a day at a time is and always will be the most important priority for me.

Priority #2 - My Health

Health is something that most people don't think about until there is a problem.

Suddenly when health becomes a problem, it becomes the only problem. Too many people see health as reactionary. We don't want to think about it until there is something to worry about, at which point it becomes the full focus of our mind and attention.

I prefer it the other way around.

I prefer to keep my health a top priority because when I am healthy, I have space in my heart and mind to truly enjoy everything else.

You ever ask a sick person what it is that they most want? 99% of the time, that person will say that they just want to be healthy.

They wont care about money or fame or travel or anything else. All they want is their health so that they can be at peace and enjoy the little things in life. Health should be a priority for EVERYONE, yet so few people really care about their bodies, their hearts and their minds.

Just look around you. How many people do you see that are overweight? or self medicating? or worse? There is nothing so consuming of the mind then a health problem.

Fuck that noise. Stay healthy people.

Priority #3 - Family

I did not grow up in a life of privilege. Quite the opposite really.

But, I grew up with something better than privilege. I grew up with love.

I've said over and over again that even though we struggled, my family had more love than any other family I knew. We just had each others backs, no matter what.

I take that mentality around with me. My employees are family. My small group of friends don't even call ourselves friends, we are family.

The way I see it, when this road eventually meets its end, there are people that I would like to look back with. I hope to be able to look back at this life with this family I have surrounded myself with. We could laugh about the dumb shit we did we we were young, and we can remind ourselves of our struggle.

And I could be there for them. If someone needs something, they know they could call me and that I would be there. Because I know they would be there for me.

Priority #4 - Get That Cash Money

Look, I've been on both sides of this track.

I've been dirt poor. I'm talking about throwing clothes in a trash bag and walking about with wonder bread and peanut butter and jelly in a book bag for weeks. I'm talking 15 pounds under weight poor.

I've also experienced luxury. I'm not a billionaire, but I'm in a position where I feel comfortable.

I can tell you with 100% certainly, that having money is better than not having money.

For a long time, I felt that if someone had wealth, it meant that he or she was a bad person. I don't feel that way any more. Now I get to come into work surrounded by family. I get to enjoy the work that I do and I feel great about my contribution to the world. I am an employer and I do my best to set the best example for the people that follow me.

None the less, the daily chase of finding ways to make money is one of the highlights of my life experience. I love the art of sales. I love the relationships and the ideas and the value that I bring in exchange for money.

To really make money means you have to provide something of value. I've learned that in a big way and I've been able to dedicate my life to bringing value to other peoples lives.

The best part is, the reward for helping people is that I get to enjoy my life. I am in control of my own life. Life is not in control of me.

Priority #5 - Experience

What would be the point of all this sacrifice without joy?

I've never had problems with enjoying life. In fact, my issue was more lopsided in the other direction. I think I've had more "life experience" than most people.

But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop.

One day you are going to die. That's not meant to be some inspirational meme or some fucking pep talk. It's just plain and simple. You may die soon. You may die at old age.

But you will cease to exist. So why the fuck are people wasting their time sitting around or watching TV or complaining about their jobs?

I don't get it.

For me, the lack of sleep and the long hours are more than worth it for the opportunity to see the world, to meet new people, to learn about myself and to squeeze every bit of life out of this adventure around the sun.

What are your top 5 priorities?

I'm seriously interested to hear what other people think.

I don't expect everyone to be like me. For many people, a quite life a solitude is what they want. For others, they want the rush and excitement. Either way, everyone needs to know what it is that matters to them.

How will you get there? What are you willing to give to make your priorities become a reality?

I'm very interested to hear.