What Would You Do If You Could Not Fail?

Well? What would you do? (and no, I don’t mean exams, win the lotto, or marry Ryan Gosling, let’s be real folks)

The above line is something I have been asking myself a lot lately. Almost a year graduated with a piece of paper called a degree, and now looms the million dollar (or 746341.06 euro) question – ‘What next?’

Around the time of graduation, I was lucky enough to have a job I loved, and knew it was only a year position. I took on a mindset something similar to ‘Yes Man’ and threw myself at every opportunity that came my way during that year. The results were amazing; I took part in things I would never have dreamt of – two ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ competitions, volunteering in Africa, and even found myself as a blushing bride for a Mock Charity Wedding. I did all these things on the basis that I knew when my time in that job was up, I didn’t want to have any regrets. I can gladly say now that I don’t… but that was only one year.

Since finishing the job I’ve began thinking, yes I was extremely busy having taken on so many new projects, and it did prove stressful at times, but looking back, I achieved goals and gained experiences I didn’t imagine happening in the next ten years let alone one. Why take up this mindset for only one year? Surely this outlook should be a permanent mindset, applied to everyday life? Life is too short for looking back at what ‘could have’ been.

If we don’t make these drastic decisions when we are young – when are we going to make them?

On Monday – thousands of Irish students will receive their CAO offers, some will get the college course they have been working towards, others won’t. Yes I do believe – ‘everything happens for a reason’ but if your hopes are dashed so early in the game, do not give up!

Do not feel under pressure to know what you want to do either. As I said, I’ve graduated from my college degree, yet I am still none the wiser as to what I want to do for the rest of my life. But in reality – who is?

We are here for a good time, not a long time. Don’t let your life be defined by the job you have, the money you earn or the points you did or did not get in your Leaving Cert. Focus on doing things that make you happy – once you have achieved that, you’re laughing – quite literally.

I’ll leave you with a lil somethin’ somethin’ – my favorite poem ‘If’.

I’m off to plan the next adventure,

Finnegan’s ‘Yes Man’ Chin

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